Thomas County commissioners narrow proposed tax increase after another lengthy budget workshop
July 9, 2026
After another three-hour budget workshop Thursday, the Thomas County Commission has reduced its proposed 2027 property tax increase from an initial projection of nearly 12 mills to just over one mill, although final budget decisions remain ahead.
Commissioners Mike Baughn, Brad Flipse and Brian Luedke, along with County Treasurer Layn Bruggeman, County Clerk Keesa Mariman and department heads, spent the July 9 special meeting reviewing discretionary spending after spending 4 hours on Monday going line by line in an effort to minimize the tax impact on residents.
Bruggeman reported the county has now trimmed nearly $1.9 million from the preliminary budget through departmental cuts, updated revenue estimates and the use of reserve funds. More than $1 million of those reductions came directly from department budgets, with some of the largest cuts occurring in Road and Bridge, which reduced its request by roughly $612,000. Additional reductions included approximately $90,550 from the Landfill budget, $72,450 from the Sheriff's Office, $54,700 from the Jail, about $41,700 from EMS, nearly $24,000 from Emergency Management and smaller reductions throughout courthouse operations, including the Commission, Treasurer, Elections, Health Department, Noxious Weed, Information Technology and Building Maintenance.
Beyond departmental cuts, Bruggeman revised several revenue projections using actual collection trends, shifted approximately $200,000 from reserves to offset increased employee health insurance costs and transferred additional reserve funds to help keep the overall levy lower. Officials also discussed using available wind farm revenue conservatively, noting the county still has approximately $639,000 remaining from current-year wind farm payments with another payment expected later this year, though commissioners acknowledged those funds are temporary and cannot permanently offset future budgets.
Commissioners also reviewed discretionary appropriations to outside organizations line by line. Funding requests for organizations such as the Thomas County Economic Development Alliance, Historical Society, Extension Council, Free Fair, Thomas County Coalition, Intellectual Disabilities Services and senior services were scrutinized, with senior service appropriations reduced by roughly half and several smaller requests trimmed. Funding for Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services and the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center was also shifted from diversion funds to reduce pressure on the general fund.
Additional savings came from routine courthouse operations. The County Attorney's Office agreed to consolidate postage through the Treasurer's Office, reducing its own budget, while commissioners trimmed employee appreciation funding, lowered the postage meter budget after a less expensive lease agreement and identified additional reimbursement revenue in the coroner's budget.
The county's projected mill levy now sits at approximately 47.96 mills, up about 1.02 mills from the current mill levy. Officials estimate the increase would cost the owner of a $200,000 home about $23 more annually in county property taxes.
Discussion also centered on mandatory county services—including law enforcement, the jail, courts, elections and public health—which leave relatively few areas available for significant reductions.
Mariman praised county departments for their willingness to reduce requests, noting Thomas County has become an example for neighboring counties trying to address similar budget challenges.
While Commissioner Brad Flipse reiterated his desire to reach a revenue-neutral budget, commissioners acknowledged that rising expenses—particularly a projected increase in employee health insurance costs—may make that goal unattainable.
No final budget action was taken. Commissioners will continue refining the proposal before adopting the county's 2027 budget later this summer.