Ellis County Commission Summary
Week of August 5, 2026
Commission trims highway fund to keep 2027 budget below current levels
Property tax burden shifting to real estate amid falling oil valuations
County delays employee pay raises to offset 2027 budget costs
County pursues $10 million federal grant to replace three bridges
ACCESS transportation funding restored to leverage federal grants
ACCESS transportation faces service reductions amid financial shortfall
Commission trims highway fund to keep 2027 budget below current levels
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — The Ellis County Commission directed staff Tuesday to cut an additional $10,000 from the special highway fund, ensuring the proposed $34 million 2027 budget will fall slightly below 2026 spending levels. County Administrator Darin Myers presented a third draft of the budget showing only a $5,221 increase over the previous year. However, the commission opted to increase the highway fund reduction to a total of $210,000, finalizing a net decrease in overall county spending before the final draft is presented on Aug. 11.
Property tax burden shifting to real estate amid falling oil valuations
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — Ellis County property taxpayers may absorb a heavier tax burden next year due to state legislative changes and falling oil valuations. County Administrator Darin Myers informed the commission that the state's removal of items like golf carts and boats from personal property tax rolls, combined with decreased local oil values, shifts the required tax burden onto commercial and residential real estate.
County delays employee pay raises to offset 2027 budget costs
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — Ellis County employees will see their scheduled 2027 pay increases delayed as a budget-saving measure. Routine step adjustments for county staff will be pushed back from January to April, and annual cost-of-living adjustments will be moved from July to October. The delays were included in the third draft of the 2027 budget and were praised during the meeting as a necessary internal trim to prevent property tax increases.
County pursues $10 million federal grant to replace three bridges
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — Ellis County is pursuing a $10 million federal grant to replace three local bridges, a move that could offset recent budget cuts to the public works department. The commission cut $210,000 from the special highway fund for 2027 to keep the overall county budget flat. While the specific bridges were not identified by name in the initial Bridge Investment Program grant application, they are described in the filing as aging and structurally deficient rural connectors. If awarded, the federal grant would allow the county to complete the bridge projects without local property tax funding; if denied, the projects will be delayed until future budget cycles.
ACCESS transportation funding restored to leverage federal grants
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — The commission agreed to restore a $50,000 dedicated line item for ACCESS Public Transportation in the 2027 budget to help the agency leverage essential state and federal grants. The funds were previously moved into a general budget stabilization line, but it was argued during the meeting that keeping the money earmarked for ACCESS is necessary to show local match funding while a task force works to solve the agency's financial shortfall. The county will hold the funds until the task force provides a formal recommendation next year.
ACCESS transportation faces service reductions amid financial shortfall
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — ACCESS Public Transportation is facing severe financial and operational hurdles as its COVID-era financial reserves dry up, the ACCESS Transportation Task Force reported Tuesday. The agency stopped its Sunday service on July 1 and is currently booking rides up to two weeks in advance due to high demand and limited resources. Increased ridership from Ellis residents following the verified recent closure of Ellis Hometown Food Center, coupled with the loss of revenue from the suspended "Safe Ride" program, has prompted the agency to consider downsizing its fleet from large buses to more cost-effective, handicap-accessible minivans.
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