Hillsboro City Administrator to Lead Saline County

Matt Stiles will take over as Saline County Administrator in April, replacing retiring Phillip Smith-Hanes.

Published on Jan. 29, 2026

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Matt Stiles, the current City Administrator for Hillsboro, Kansas, has been selected as the next Saline County Administrator. Stiles will officially take over the position in April, replacing the retiring Phillip Smith-Hanes who has served in the role since 2019.

Why it matters

The County Administrator is a key leadership role responsible for implementing policies, managing the budget, and overseeing county services. Stiles' appointment comes at an important time as Saline County looks to address priorities like relocating the health department and the future of the livestock expo center.

The details

Stiles was among 26 candidates, including 14 from Kansas and 12 from other states, who applied for the Saline County Administrator position. As the new administrator, Stiles will serve as the county's chief administrative officer, responsible for implementing policies set by the Board of County Commissioners, preparing and managing the annual budget, supervising department heads, and ensuring efficient delivery of public services.

  • Stiles will officially begin the Saline County Administrator role on April 13, 2026.
  • Phillip Smith-Hanes, the current Saline County Administrator, is retiring effective March 31, 2026.

The players

Matt Stiles

The current City Administrator for Hillsboro, Kansas, who has been selected as the next Saline County Administrator.

Phillip Smith-Hanes

The current Saline County Administrator who is retiring at the end of March 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Maintaining what Smith-Hanes has built will be key. After meeting with commissioners, some of the priorities will be relocating the Saline County Health Department, the future of the Saline County Livestock and Expo Center, and being fiscally responsible.”

— Matt Stiles, Incoming Saline County Administrator (KSAL News Radio)

“I wasn't looking for a new job, but the Saline County position kind of presented itself and was intriguing.”

— Matt Stiles, Incoming Saline County Administrator (KSAL News Radio)

What’s next

Stiles will officially begin his new role as Saline County Administrator on April 13, 2026, taking over for the retiring Phillip Smith-Hanes.

The takeaway

Stiles' appointment as the new Saline County Administrator comes at a critical time, as he looks to build on the work of his predecessor while addressing key priorities like the health department relocation and the future of the county's livestock expo center. His open-door management style and focus on fiscal responsibility will be important as he steps into this leadership role.