By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The preliminary overview of Ellis County’s 2017 budget earned a “thank you” and praise from all three Ellis County Commissioners Monday night.
County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes told the commission it came from department heads with “a mix of proposals to reduce spending without eliminating filled positions.” He cautioned it still excludes funding requests from outside agencies which will be presented at the next commission meeting on June 13.
The decrease in oil and gas revenue continues to hit Ellis County hard. Last year, the county based its budget off of oil at $38 per barrel and it was valued at $34. For this year, the county based the budget around $27 per barrel.
“Departments were able to save $600,643 over their 2016 budgets in what they’re proposing for 2017. That is a 3.3 percent reduction,” Smith-Hanes reported, and he called it a “very good level of savings. I really appreciate the work of our department heads.”
Commissioner Barb Wasinger said she was “very impressed” with all the department heads and also thanked Smith-Hanes, who is in his first year as county administrator. “This is a watershed moment for Ellis County and it means a lot to our taxpayers. I know it was difficult for all of you.”
“We said (earlier this spring) the budget had to be cut between two and five percent,” said Commission Chairman Dean Haselhorst, “and you guys got it to over three percent. I think it shows to the public we are trying to be good stewards of their money. Barb, myself and Marcy all said we were not in favor of having to raise taxes or the mill levy.” The 2016 budget included a 2.361 mill levy hike.
“We appreciate you,” added Commissioner Marcy McClelland.
Approximately $100,000 in savings comes from changes in five department head positions announced May 20. Longtime County Health Administrator Butch Schyler is retiring; Emergency Services Director Kerry McCue will assume those duties. Interim Public Works Director Curt Hoffman is returning to his former position as County Road and Bridge Supervisor; Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Ring will become PW Director. The Emergency Management Department will be merged with the Rural Fire Department to be headed by Rural Fire Director Darin Myers.
Haselhorst said the changes seem to be acceptable to Ellis County residents. “People at church Sunday came up to me–I had no idea who they were but I’m assuming they were from Ellis County. They said ‘that’s a great idea. I wish you’d have done that sooner.”
Individual department budgets will be reviewed by the commissioners Thursday, June 16, and Thursday, June 23, at 9 a.m. The final draft of the proposed Ellis County 2017 budget will be presented at the July 11 commission meeting.