Saline County Health Department Reports $272,000 Budget Surplus for 2025

The Saline County Health Department finished 2025 with a significant budget surplus, spending only 90% of its projected expenses and leaving $272,000 unspent, Health Department Director Jason Tiller reported to County Commissioners during their recent meeting.

The surplus marks a notable improvement from 2024, when the department faced budget challenges including significant late-year expenditures on grant funds that had to be used before expiring.

"We certainly ended 2025 better than 2024," Tiller told commissioners, explaining that much of the surplus resulted from vacant positions throughout the year where projected salaries went unspent.

In response to the previous year's budget issues, the health department implemented new fiscal controls to prevent last-minute spending sprees and ensure better financial planning throughout the year.

"Those fiscal controls seem to have helped with just ensuring that planned expenditures were done earlier in the year and were not last minute," Tiller said.

The unspent funds will be transferred to the health department's capital fund following the annual audit, according to county officials. Commissioners confirmed that all bills for 2025 have been paid and no outstanding expenses remain that could affect the audit process.

The health department's improved financial management comes as it prepares for several upcoming initiatives, including planning for the FIFA World Cup 26™, conducting Stop the Bleed training courses for county staff, and hosting the second annual Fathers in Focus event on April 3 and mental health block party on May 2.

Three health department staff members were recently accepted into the local public health leadership series, and the department continues encouraging employees to participate on local boards and committees to strengthen community connections.

The health department will submit its annual aid to local grants applications by the March 16 deadline to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.