County administrator mandates $1 million in department budget cuts

Cowley County receives clean financial audit for fiscal year 2025

County considers dropping Blue Cross Blue Shield to save $210,000

Health department highlights economic impact and rising sexually transmitted infection rates

Mental health center requests funding boost to combat meth and crises

Fire districts struggle with inflation and lost grants amid taxpayer complaints

Public works drafts multi-year plan for 911 sign replacement

Extension council requests substantial funding increase

Local humane society achieves no-kill shelter status

Big Brothers Big Sisters seeks extra funds following lost corporate grant

County administrator mandates $1 million in department budget cuts

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. — Cowley County departments are trimming their operational budgets by 3 percent to 5.5 percent to meet a $1 million reduction goal set by the county. During Thursday's budget work session, several departments, including the sheriff's office and county attorney's office, presented their newly tightened budgets. County Administrator Lucas Goff noted that the cuts only apply to operational expenses and do not affect personnel or payroll, emphasizing the necessity of the cuts to ease the property tax burden on local residents.

Cowley County receives clean financial audit for fiscal year 2025

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. — Cowley County received a clean, unmodified opinion on its fiscal year 2025 financial audit with no adjusting entries proposed. An independent auditor reported that the county ended the year with a reconciled cash balance of $31 million, which is consistent with the prior year. Additionally, the county's general fund operated efficiently, finishing the year more than $5 million under its budgeted expenditures with zero budget violations across all county funds.

County considers dropping Blue Cross Blue Shield to save $210,000

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. — Cowley County is exploring an unbundled approach to its employee health insurance plan that could save taxpayers up to $210,000 next year. The county's insurance broker presented an alternative to the current Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, which is proposing a 3.2 percent renewal increase. The alternative would utilize Allied Benefits as a third-party administrator and move to a captive stop-loss program, which is expected to significantly reduce pharmacy costs. The county plans to survey its workforce for feedback before making a final decision.

Health department highlights economic impact and rising sexually transmitted infection rates

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Cowley County Health Department requested flat funding for the upcoming year while reporting it served one in three county residents in 2025. The department highlighted its response to sexually transmitted infections, noting that department data shows more than 24 percent of Cowley County teenagers have contracted an STI. Additionally, the department's Women, Infants and Children program served more than 1,000 residents monthly, injecting nearly $900,000 in targeted food benefits directly into local grocery stores.

Mental health center requests funding boost to combat meth and crises

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. — Four County Mental Health Center requested $195,459 in county funding to help subsidize care for uninsured and underinsured residents, a step toward returning to its 2021 funding levels. Executive Director Greg Hennen reported that the center treated 1,045 Cowley County citizens last year, with stimulant use — specifically methamphetamine — ranking as the top substance abuse issue. Hennen also highlighted the success of the center's mobile crisis program, which acts similarly to an ambulance for behavioral health emergencies and averages a 55-minute response time across the county.

Fire districts struggle with inflation and lost grants amid taxpayer complaints

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. — Representatives from Cowley County's volunteer fire districts warned the county that soaring inflation and the loss of the Kansas State Fire Marshal's gear grant are threatening their ability to equip firefighters. Fire chiefs reported that personal protective equipment costs have jumped nearly 20 percent in one year. During the meeting, local fire levies were defended, with participants acknowledging the districts' dire financial needs and noting that residents frequently misplace their frustration over high property taxes on the county and fire districts rather than larger taxing entities like Cowley College.

Public works drafts multi-year plan for 911 sign replacement

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Cowley County Public Works Department is developing a new, multi-year program to replace deteriorating 911 address signs, bridge markers and box culvert signs across the county. Because the county is no longer eligible for certain federal safe road grants for this specific project, County Administrator Lucas Goff said the county must prepare to fund the replacements internally starting in 2027. The proposed strategy will prioritize replacements based on average daily traffic density and specific corridors rather than the previous district-by-district approach.

Extension council requests substantial funding increase

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Cowley County Extension Council broke from the trend of flat budget requests Thursday, asking the county for a substantial increase to adequately support its 2.5-agent office. Treasurer Bill Mueller acknowledged the county's tight budget constraints and admitted the full request might be unrealistic, but emphasized it aligns with Kansas State University's funding guidelines. The council has been dipping into its reserves and relying on independent fundraisers, such as the Fall for Extension program, to cover operational shortfalls since 2015.

Local humane society achieves no-kill shelter status

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Cowley County Humane Society officially achieved no-kill status last year after reducing its euthanasia rate to 1 percent, a milestone that has significantly boosted community support. The shelter facilitated 567 adoptions in 2025 despite facing increased animal intakes and unexpected capital expenses, including the loss of its heating system mid-winter. The organization is requesting continued county funding as it works to increase employee wages to remain competitive in the local job market.

Big Brothers Big Sisters seeks extra funds following lost corporate grant

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. — Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters serving Cowley County requested an increase in its annual county appropriation to help cover rising background check costs and expanded volunteer training. The nonprofit, which currently serves 57 local youth with another 58 on the waiting list, recently learned it lost its long-standing funding from a corporate donor — which organization representatives declined to name publicly — that redirected its charitable giving to a science, technology, engineering and math program this year. To help bridge the gap, the organization is partnering with the Arkansas City Recreation Commission to launch a new "Duck Derby" fundraiser in July.

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