SALINA — Saline County Commissioner Joe Hay Jr. told Salina311 that the county is facing significant financial challenges as it works to finalize the 2026 budget. While emphasizing his commitment to keeping taxes as low as possible, Hay acknowledged that doing so will require deep and, in some cases, unpopular cuts.
“I love being a Saline County Commissioner,” Hay said. “But I dislike this time of year, budget season. I made a promise to my constituents to try my best to keep taxes as low as possible.”
Hay shared that the commission is still reviewing a proposal from County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes that outlines multiple budget cut options, some of which may be finalized during Tuesday’s meeting. “Let me send you what Phillip proposed to us to look at,” Hay said. “We as a commission still have some additional cuts, but won’t know for sure until Tuesday.”
Among the proposed options being considered:
- A potential savings of $634,914 could be reached by reducing outside agency allocations, cutting non-personnel expenses at the Expo Center, eliminating part-time movers at Road & Bridge, and trimming support to organizations such as OCCK, the Chamber of Commerce, SCEDO, and Salina Grace.
- A second path would push the total to $1,063,817 by further reducing County Administration staffing, eliminating vacant truck driver positions, and withholding funding from the Recycling Center and Senior Center.
- A final proposal outlines a “revenue-neutral” savings path totaling $1,858,163, which includes eliminating salary increases, cutting the vacant attorney position, laying off the Public Information Officer, removing the Emergency Management trailer, and short-funding the Area Agency on Aging.
Commissioners are weighing cuts across technology, capital improvements, and equipment upgrades, including the delay or cancellation of vehicle purchases, parking lot replacements, copier updates, and software upgrades.
Hay emphasized that the commission will continue to review these options carefully and is open to community feedback. “Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated,” he said. “Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.”
