Commission votes to exceed revenue neutral rate for 2027

Inflation, insurance hikes challenge 2027 county budget

$500,000 budgeted for solid waste transfer station upgrades

Solar project revenue will not impact 2027 budget

Final oil and gas depletion funds to be utilized in 2027

Leiker appointed to ACCESS Transportation task force

Commission votes to exceed revenue neutral rate for 2027

ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — The Ellis County Commission voted unanimously to notify Ellis County Clerk Bobbi Dreiling of its intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for the 2027 budget. The proposed general fund mill levy is set at 40.717 mills, a 2.6-mill increase that would generate approximately $1.49 million in additional property taxes if adopted without changes. County Administrator Darin Myers noted the vote simply provides flexibility during upcoming budget hearings, allowing commissioners a month and a half to whittle down the proposed tax increase before final approval.

Inflation, insurance hikes challenge 2027 county budget

ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — County staff presented the second draft of the 2027 operating budget, highlighting significant financial hurdles driven by a 5 percent inflation rate outpacing the county's estimated 0.2 percent valuation growth. Anticipated cost increases include a 7 percent jump for employee health insurance and a 10 percent rise for property and vehicle liability insurance. Additionally, the county faces an estimated $300,000 loss in revenue due to decreasing interest rates on local bank investments.

$500,000 budgeted for solid waste transfer station upgrades

ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — The 2027 budget will allocate $500,000 from the solid waste enterprise fund's unencumbered cash to expand the Ellis County Transfer Station. The project will increase waste storage capacity before transport to the landfill in Garden City, replace deteriorating concrete flooring and allow the outright purchase of a new backhoe to eliminate leasing interest. The solid waste fund is sustained by user fees rather than property or sales taxes, and the expansion is not expected to increase current municipal drop-off rates.

Solar project revenue will not impact 2027 budget

ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — County Administrator Darin Myers clarified that an anticipated $1.1 million in annual revenue from the Tallgrass Solar Development, a project operated by ibV Energy Partners west of Hays, will not factor into the 2027 budget. The payment, outlined in an approved contribution agreement with the developers, will only be collected the year after the solar farm begins producing power for a transmission line. Officials estimate the earliest the county will begin receiving those funds is 2029.

Final oil and gas depletion funds to be utilized in 2027

ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — The county will absorb the remaining $425,000 from its oil and gas depletion fund into the 2027 budget. The reserve, which historically served as a financial buffer for Ellis County Rural Fire District No. 1 and the general fund against volatile oil valuation drops, must be utilized to prevent the state from potentially clawing back the idle funds. The mandatory closure of the fund represents a permanent loss of future reserve revenue for the county.

Leiker appointed to ACCESS Transportation task force

ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioner Nathan Leiker volunteered to represent Ellis County on a newly formed task force aimed at stabilizing ACCESS Transportation. The public transit service recently reduced its offerings due to severe funding shortages. The multi-agency task force, which includes representatives from the city of Hays, Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK), the Kansas Department of Transportation, Fort Hays State University, and other local organizations, will explore alternative operational models and funding strategies to ensure the continuation of vital public transit services in the community.

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