As Lyon County Commissioners continue their review of the 2026 budget, Commission Chair Ken Duft says he’s confident they will meet their goal of at least keeping the mill levy flat for the fiscal year.
Duft’s comments followed the second review study session of the budget season for commissioners Tuesday morning. He tells KVOE News commissioners are looking at “Anything and everything” they can do to keep the levy flat saying they are focusing specifically on projects and appropriations towards that end.
Duft says while he and his fellow commissioners are confident, keeping the levy flat won’t be easy as they do not want to risk cutting anyone’s funding.
When asked if staffing or programming were areas the commission may look to make some cuts, Duft says that is not in their purview at this time and he is hoping to keep it that way. Following the first budget review session last week, County Controller Dan Williams noted inflation as well as funding developments at the state and federal levels will present some notable challenges to the budget process, however, when it comes to the state and federal levels those challenges are not entirely clear as there new developments and changes regularly.
Tuesday’s study session comes ahead of the commission’s regular action meeting scheduled for Thursday. During their agenda, commissioners will receive an update from the Lyon County Food and Farm Council, discuss Flint hills Technical College’s strategic plan, set to be presented by President Dr. Caron Daugherty and consider changing the county’s mileage reimbursement rate to $0.70 per mile to better align with Federal and state rates. Thursday’s meeting will begin at 9 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse Commission Chambers.
Commissioners will hold their next budget review session next Thursday following their regular action meeting.
