Health, sheriff’s department seek higher budgets
Staff writer
County department heads took their budget wish lists to commissioners Monday.
Most department heads sought modest increases or proposed smaller budgets, but some seek higher funding levels.
Sheriff Jeff Soyez seeks a budget of $1,088,833, slightly down from $1,097,460 last year.
Soyez asked for $3,700 for additional cell phone lines, $10,000 for possible body cam updates, $7,000 for more insurance, $40,000 to purchase additional vehicles, and $25,000 for equipping of additional vehicles.
“Vehicles are a major issue for our department,” Soyez said. “There have been two totaled this year due to deer accidents. Repair issues seem to be a constant problem with the Dodge Durangos, as we have two inoperable right now. We also have three vehicles with very high mileage that will eventually need to be replaced.”
The vehicles involved in deer crashes are Durangos.
The dispatch department asked for three new computers, saying they were needed for a necessary upgrade in October.
The proposed jail budget as presented to commissioners was $249,000, up from $219,000 in 2025. The request did not include salaries. It included groceries, medical service, prescriptions, utilities, supplies, repairs, maintenance, transports, miscellaneous expenses, and capital outlay.
Last year’s jail budget as reported to the Kansas Department of Administration included salaries. It totaled $562,978.
Jailer Jimmy Philpott said he wanted another rooftop air conditioning unit and to hire another detention deputy.
Krista Schneider, health department director, asked for $635,524, up from 2025’s $601,913. Schneider said she was uncertain whether grants will be available and is asking for the amounts previously paid by grants. These total $21,397.