Thomas County faces difficult choices as commissioners warn taxes or service cuts are likely for 2027
June 30, 2026
Thomas County commissioners delivered a sobering message to residents during their June 30 meeting: unless significant spending reductions can be found over the next several weeks, the county will likely have to either raise property taxes or reduce services in 2027.
Although the meeting included approval of the county's annual financial audit, employee matters and routine business, most of the morning was spent on preliminary budget discussions that revealed the financial pressures facing local government.
The commission was presented the first overall look at the proposed 2027 budget by county treasurer Layn Bruggeman, and the numbers immediately highlighted the challenge ahead. If every department request and discretionary funding request were approved as submitted, the county's mill levy would jump from the current 47.443 mills to nearly 59 mills.
To remain revenue neutral, commissioners would need to remove approximately $1.9 million from the proposed budget.
That reality led to one consistent theme throughout the discussion: the county cannot continue operating exactly as it has in the past.
"We're going to have to cut services or increase taxes," Chairman Mike Baughn told those in attendance.
Commissioners noted that while the county's property valuation has increased slightly, it has not kept pace with rising operating costs. Inflation, employee benefits, equipment, insurance and everyday operating expenses continue climbing while tax revenues have not increased enough to offset those costs.
The commission acknowledged there are no easy answers.
The county's largest budgeted funds include employee benefits, the Sheriff's Office, Road and Bridge, and EMS—services that are either required by law or considered essential public safety functions. That leaves relatively few places where meaningful reductions can be made without affecting services residents receive.
Commissioner Brad Flipse said he does not support making across-the-board cuts and instead wants departments to closely evaluate their own budgets.
"I think each department needs to look at needs versus wants," Flipse said, adding that department heads understand their operations better than commissioners and should identify where reductions can realistically be made.
Department heads whose proposed budgets exceeded 2026 spending levels were directed to return with revised budgets that eliminate all increases other than approved salary matrix adjustments.
Commissioners also indicated discretionary appropriations would receive additional scrutiny. Commissioner Brian Luedke questioned whether every outside organization receiving county funding provides measurable countywide benefits, specifically mentioning economic development funding during the discussion.
Flipse suggested that after reviewing revised budgets, the county may still need to prepare for a three- to four-mill levy increase simply to maintain core county operations.
The discussion underscored what could become one of the county's most difficult budget cycles in recent years.
The commissioners noted that services residents have come to expect will need to be reduced. They emphasized that every department will be affected and warned that difficult conversations lie ahead before the budget deadline later in July.
Outside of the budget workshop, commissioners approved the county's 2025 financial audit presented by Adams Brown. The county received an unmodified opinion, the highest opinion auditors can issue, while maintaining approximately $15.1 million in cash reserves. Auditors identified one statutory violation involving a public works contract that lacked a required bond, but county officials said procedures have already been changed to prevent future occurrences.
Commissioners also approved a $15,999 Pete Henry Foundation grant, along with a $2,625.45 county match, to purchase a new cardiac monitor for the Brewster EMS ambulance. EMS Director Scott Reese thanked the foundation for helping improve emergency medical services in the county.
Other action included approving a $1.50 per hour wage increase for a Road and Bridge employee, after he completed certifications required to eventually serve as the county's Weed Director, clarifying that double-time holiday pay for 24-hour emergency personnel will only apply to employees working on the actual holiday rather than the county's observed holiday, and approving the closure of the Thomas County Landfill July 3-5 after confirming the City of Colby would complete storm cleanup before the holiday weekend.
Commissioners will continue budget discussions throughout July, but one message from Tuesday's meeting was unmistakable: Thomas County is approaching a crossroads. Whether through higher property taxes, reduced county services, or some combination of both, significant changes appear increasingly likely before the 2027 budget is finalized.