The 2026 budget cycle has just begun and Lyon County Commissioners have already fielded five appropriation requests from outside agencies.
During their regular action meeting Thursday morning, commissioners received the three latest requests from Empower House Ministries, Crosswinds Counseling and Wellness and The Emporia Senior Center. Empower House did not have a specific allocation request stated Thursday, however, director Melissa Landis tells KVOE News they are hoping to receive $15,000 from the special alcohol and tobacco fund.
Landis says the request from Lyon County is one of ten being submitted to area counties, with the agency seeking a total of $26,000 in support for the coming year. Landis says the main focus for those funds will be salaries.
As for Crosswinds, they are seeking a flat ask of $426,000 with the intention of providing services to uninsured clients. Crosswinds executive director Amanda Cunningham says the funds are essential as they are seeing an increase in uninsured patient visits.
This is the third consecutive year that Crosswinds has submitted a level request.
The senior center is following that trend, also submitting a flat request of $115,000, with Director Carla Fessler noting that maintenance will be their primary focus.
Thursday’s requests follow requests from Flint Hills Technical College and the Lyon County History Center during a study session Wednesday morning. Details on those requests can be found here.
As one might assume, the budget cycle is always full of tough decisions for county commissioners and based on comments from county leadership, this year may be even more challenging than in the past, given the recent economic hits the county and surrounding communities have taken in recent months. Commissioner Chris Bartel says that while it won’t be the determining factor, the state of the economy and the related impacts on local taxpayers will play a significant role in their decision-making.
Commissioner Doug Peck echoed Bartel’s feelings on the matter and says the commission will have to remain vigilant as the process unfolds.
The majority of requests thus far have been steady with years prior, as mentioned earlier, and Peck says he certainly hopes that trend will continue in weeks to come.
County commissioners will reconvene next Wednesday, June 3rd at 8 am for a budget-related study session ahead of their regular action meeting Thursday at 9 am.
