County Faces Potential 30% Cut in Adult Community Corrections Funding from State

Saline County officials are grappling with a potential 30% reduction in state funding for their adult Community Corrections program.

County Administrator Philip Smith-Hanes informed the commission that the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) is proposing a new funding formula for Community Corrections grants across the state.

According to Smith-Hanes, the proposed changes would result in Saline and Ottawa counties losing approximately $450,000 in funding, which represents about 30% of their current adult corrections budget. This potential cut is significantly larger than county officials had anticipated.

Michelle Callam, Community Corrections Director, provided additional details. She explained that if approved, the funding reduction would be phased in over three years, starting in the state fiscal year 2027 (beginning July 1, 2026). The full cut would take effect in fiscal year 2029.

The proposed changes are part of a broader redistribution of funds across the state. Callam noted that 16 agencies would see increases while 15 would face decreases under the new formula. Saline County's judicial district is reportedly the second-largest loser in dollar terms, after Sedgwick County.

County officials have begun reaching out to local legislators about the issue. They are also working with the Community Corrections Advisory Board to address the potential impact.

Smith-Hanes indicated that if the cuts are implemented, the county may need to consider enhancing local funding for drug court programs and potentially allocating local funds to support adult probation services for the first time. He noted this could necessitate adjustments to the county's mill levy.

The Kansas Community Corrections Association (KCCA) has not yet taken an official stance on the proposed changes. The situation remains fluid, with KDOC still considering different funding formulas and the state legislature potentially becoming involved in the decision-making process.