Salina311 Interview: Matt Stiles Discusses Priorities as Saline County’s New Administrator

Matt Stiles Begins Role as Saline County Administrator, Outlines Responsibilities, Priorities, and Long-Term Focus

SALINE COUNTY — Matt Stiles has officially stepped into his role as Saline County Administrator, bringing more than 15 years of experience in Kansas local government and a management approach centered on collaboration, financial stewardship, and continuity.

Stiles has served in local government management since 2008, most recently as City Administrator for Hillsboro, Kansas. His background also includes time as City Administrator for South Hutchinson, Assistant City Manager in Bel Aire, and Program Manager at Wichita State University’s Public Policy and Management Center. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Philosophy from Emporia State University and a Master of Public Administration from Wichita State University, where he earned certifications in City and County Management and Public Finance. He has also served as an instructor in Wichita State University’s Master of Public Administration program and has been an ICMA Credentialed Manager since 2016.

What the County Administrator Does

In an interview with Salina311, Stiles explained that the County Administrator serves as the county’s chief administrative officer, working directly for the Saline County Commission and overseeing the daily operations of most county departments.

“I work directly for the county commission, and the department heads that fall under the county commission report to me for the daily management piece,” Stiles said.

Departments under the administrator’s oversight include Road and Bridge, Public Health, and Emergency Management, among others. Stiles noted that several elected offices operate independently.

“The sheriff’s office reports to the sheriff, and the treasurer, register of deeds, and county clerk are elected positions,” he said. “Everybody else reports up to the County Administrator, and then the County Administrator works with the county commission.”

Commission Visioning and Management Philosophy

Stiles said his first day on the job included a commission visioning session focused on establishing short-, mid-, and long-term goals for the county. Those goals, he said, will guide management decisions and operational priorities.

“We had a county commission visioning session this morning,” Stiles said. “It’s basically goal-setting for short, mid, and long-term goals, revisiting some of the planning they did last year.”

Rather than identifying areas that require immediate change, Stiles emphasized building on what is already working well within county government.

“I think the culture here is pretty good,” he said. “Phil Smith-Haynes has put together a nice culture here, and there’s nothing that drastically needs to change. We’re going to work on building off of what’s already existing.”

In the short term, Stiles said his focus will be on learning how departments operate, understanding existing partnerships, and building relationships across county government, the City of Salina, and the broader community.

“My goal for the first few months is to meet all the players and understand where all the collaboration is — within the county, the city, and the community at large,” he said.

Health Department and Facility Planning

Among the most immediate priorities discussed during the commission’s visioning session was the Saline County Health Department. Stiles said the county recently purchased a building and is working through a remodel at 651 Prescott to better meet the department’s operational needs.

“The health department was kind of the number one priority,” Stiles said, noting that ensuring a smooth transition and successful renovation is a key focus.

The commission also discussed county-owned facilities, including the Expo Center, which is often confused with the Tony’s Pizza Events Center.

“That’s a city project,” Stiles said of Tony’s Pizza Events Center. “The city owns all that.”

The Expo Center, by contrast, involves a shared arrangement between the city and county.

“The land is owned by the city, and the county has a long-term lease on that,” Stiles explained. “The buildings are owned by the county, and there’s a responsibility from the county to maintain those.”

He said approximately $3 million in building improvements remain part of an existing agreement, prompting broader discussion about long-term investment.

“The question becomes, is that a worthy investment?” Stiles said. “What’s the future of the Expo Center, and what role should the county play within that?”

Other county-owned properties and sites were also part of the discussion, including long-term planning for underutilized or transitional assets.

Budgeting and Financial Planning

Stiles noted that budget season is already underway, making financial planning one of his earliest responsibilities.

“We’re entering budget season already,” he said. “So we’ll be working through the financial pieces and putting together the budget.”

Budget discussions include everything from gravel road maintenance and capital investment to outside agency funding and economic development support, reflecting the wide scope of county responsibilities.

Looking Ahead

As he settles into the role, Stiles said he is optimistic about Saline County’s future and grateful for the opportunity to serve.

“I’m really looking forward to joining the Saline County community and getting to know it better,” he said. “I feel like there’s a lot of opportunity here and a lot to build on.”

He added that he is thankful for the confidence shown by the county commission and views the role as both a responsibility and an opportunity.

“I’m really excited about it,” Stiles said. “It’s a great opportunity and a great challenge.”

Stiles begins his tenure as Saline County continues to balance growth, infrastructure needs, financial pressures, and collaboration across both urban and rural areas, with an emphasis on steady leadership, transparency, and long-term planning.