Thomas County Commissioners Continue Budget Cuts as Officials Work Toward Lower Tax Impact
July 6, 2026
Just one week after warning that Thomas County faces difficult financial decisions ahead of the 2027 budget, county commissioners worked diligently in their July 6 meeting searching for ways to cut cost prior to finalizing budgets later this month.
With conversations tied to trimming expenditures, the tone from Monday’s workshop remained clear from the commissioners and county department heads: reduce the preliminary property tax levy while maintaining essential services.
Rather than debating whether cuts would be necessary, commissioners spent the morning examining several departments expenses line-by-line, searching for any form of savings ranging from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Chairman Mike Baughn noted at the end of the workshop that preliminary discussions had already reduced the deficit considerable, there was still work to be done. The board scheduled a special budget workshop for Thursday, July 9, at 10:30 a.m. to continue refining the proposal before publication deadlines.
Before moving into budget discussions, commissioners approved $50,736.52 in Courthouse General accounts payable and stated that April sales tax collections totaled $113,044.71 from the county's half-cent sales tax and $56,522.34 from the quarter-cent sales tax. Baughn also noted that the City of Colby will begin repaving Country Club Dr between Pine St and Walnut Street with work slated to begin July 16. Traffic will be limited to Northbound lanes during the first phase of construction.
The Thomas County Fair Board presented its annual budget request of $37,500, matching the amount requested during the previous three budget cycles. Commissioners took the request under advisement as part of the overall budget process.
Commissioners also approved the Thomas County Landfill Advisory Board's recommendation to increase landfill tipping fees by approximately six percent for 2027. Most fees were rounded to the nearest dollar, including construction and demolition debris, municipal solid waste and tire disposal fees, while several materials, including concrete, yard waste, metals, trees and household hazardous waste, will continue to be accepted without charge.
The remainder of the day was devoted almost entirely to budget hearings.
EMS Director Scott Reese met with commissioners to review his department's request. After discussions, commissioners reduced the proposed budget by approximately $31,600, lowering the request from roughly $1.38 million to about $1.35 million.
Reese explained that nearly $885,000 of the department's budget consists of wages, leaving relatively few places to make significant reductions without affecting operations. He also emphasized that the department has delayed equipment purchases in recent years while attempting to keep payroll balanced.
Reese’s largest future concern is ambulance replacement. He noted the cost of a new ambulance has risen from their previous purchase four years ago at $350,000 to roughly $450,000 today. Delivery times also stretch to three years after the order is made, creating budget challenges in itself. Reese’s team has saved more than $240,000 in capital reserves toward the future purchase, but has been active in pursuing grant opportunities to offset costs.
The Sheriff's Office also worked through numerous reductions.
After discussions with Undersheriff Kirt Nichols, the commissioners lowered the department's proposed increase from more than 10 percent to just over 4 percent after approximately $72,000 in adjustments, including salary revisions and reductions in other operating expenses.
The jail budget also saw reductions, lowering its projected increase from nearly 10 percent to approximately 7 percent while preserving core operations.
Commissioners then discussed salary projections across several departments, including the landfill, custodial services, appraiser's office and Road and Bridge.
Road and Bridge, one of the county's largest departments, saw proposed reductions that were the largest of the morning with cuts in operating transfers, office equipment and asphalt expenditures, resulting in a budget that would come in approximately 2.85 percent below the current year's budget.
Throughout the morning, commissioners repeatedly relied on historical spending rather than requested amounts, trimming line items where departments had consistently spent less than budgeted.
The board also covered several outside appropriations, proposing to cut funding to area organizations that only serve specific populations rather than all county residents. Commissioners also reduced funding to those organizations that do serve the county.
With no final decisions made, the commissioners are faced with several tough questions as the budget process continues. Baughn also requested additional legal review to determine which appropriations are discretionary and which may be required by law before any final decisions are made.
Commissioners likewise reviewed county memberships and dues, asking staff to provide additional information about the value various associations provide before deciding whether those expenses should remain in the 2027 budget.
Although substantial reductions were identified during Monday's workshop, commissioners acknowledged additional work remains before a final spending plan is completed. The July 9 special meeting is expected to continue refining department budgets as county officials work toward balancing the budget while limiting the impact on taxpayers.