MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
ED Note: We have corrected this article. The previous version had incorrect information on who cast the dissenting vote on the maximum county budget.
The Reno County Commission has approved a maximum budget and revenue neutral rate notice for the 2027 budget process, emphasizing that the figures approved Wednesday are not the county's final spending plan and are expected to be reduced before adoption.
County officials said state law requires the commission to establish a maximum budget and notify the county clerk by July 20, allowing time for additional budget discussions before a final budget is approved in September.
The proposed maximum county budget would require a property tax levy of 40.22 mills, generating approximately $32.87 million in property tax revenue. Officials said it would take about $1.9 million in spending reductions to maintain the current mill levy and roughly $3.7 million in cuts to produce a revenue-neutral budget that would collect the same amount of property taxes as the current year.
"This is not the budget that's going to be adopted," County Administrator Randy Partington said. "This is just setting that max so we can move to the next stage."
Partington said commissioners will have from now until the September public hearing to identify reductions across county departments and partner agencies.
He also noted that while inflation has averaged just over 3% during the past decade, the county's tax levy and expenditures have generally increased at rates only slightly above inflation. However, he said previous efforts to hold down the tax levy often relied on one-time funding sources, deferred capital projects, and cash reserves that are no longer available.
Commissioners also discussed the county's general fund reserve, with officials noting it has been reduced significantly in recent years and serves as an important financial cushion in the event of disasters or other emergencies.
"We've taken all the fat out of that," one commissioner said during the discussion, emphasizing the need to maintain adequate reserves for unexpected events before state or federal reimbursement becomes available.
The commission approved the maximum county budget on a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Ron Vincent casting the lone dissenting vote.
Commissioners also unanimously approved maximum budget notices for the county's special districts. Officials said those budgets remain at the revenue-neutral rate, but the action was necessary to account for possible changes in the county's final assessed valuation before tax rates are certified.
Finally, the commission unanimously scheduled the required public hearing on both the county and special district budgets for 9 a.m. Sept. 9 during the regularly scheduled commission meeting.
Between now and that hearing, commissioners plan to hold additional discussions on potential budget reductions, with one commissioner suggesting a fifth meeting in July to allow more time for detailed review before the final budget is adopted.