Topeka ? The Kansas Department on Aging is holding a series of public meetings around the state to begin discussions on next year’s budget.

Department Secretary Martin Kennedy says the meetings are scheduled for July 26 in Dodge City, July 30 in Salina and Aug. 5 in Topeka.

Citizens attending the sessions will be invited to offer ideas on the agency’s spending priorities for the budget year that begins in July 2011.

The Department of Aging and other departments received some guidance this week from the state Budget Division. The guidelines presume the recent one-cent increase in the state sales tax will offset the loss of up to $438 million in one-time federal stimulus funds built into the current budget.