FY26 Budget Timeline

Stay informed on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget planning process, including key updates, public meetings, and decisions made by the Commissioners.

February 20, 2025

Initial Budget Overview

Administrator Bennett provided the Commissioners with a preliminary update during a Public Work Session on the Governor’s proposed budget and its anticipated impact on County Government.

 🔹 Note: These projections are based on the draft State budget, which is not finalized until early April.

 📄 Summary of Budget Concerns - Public Work Session on February 20, 2025 (PDF)

 🎥 Watch the Meeting

March 20, 2025

Agency Presentations – Group 1

 The first group of outside agencies presented their budget requests to the Commissioners.

 🎥 Watch the Hearing

State Budget Impact & Revenue Discussion

 During a Public Work Session, Commissioners reviewed updated State budget implications and began considering revenue and expenditure adjustments.

 Topics discussed:

• Potential increases to property and income tax rates
• Possible staffing reductions
• Department budget reviews

 📄 Summary of Budget Revenue & Expenditure Options - Public Work Session on March 20, 2025 (PDF)

 🎥 Watch the Session

April 3, 2025

Agency Presentations – Group 2

 The second group of outside agencies submitted their budget requests.

 🎥 Watch the Hearing

Updated State Budget Effects

 Another Public Work Session was held to share recent updates from the State, including:

• Improved outlook on income tax revenue
• Reduced county responsibility for teacher pensions

 🎥 Watch the Session

April 10, 2025

Final State Budget Impacts & County Adjustments

 With the State budget finalized, the Commissioners held a session to debate next steps for the County’s budget. Although final numbers are still being processed, several key decisions were made:

Revenue Adjustments:

•  Property Tax Rate Increase: Raised by $0.02 to generate approximately $1.08 million. First increase in over 15 years.
• Income Tax Rate Increase: Raised to the maximum 3.2%, generating approx. $1.7 million (only half collected in FY26 due to timing differences).
• Future Benefit: Max rate makes the County eligible for $5.7 million/year in additional disparity funding starting in FY27.

Expenditure Adjustments:

• Library Funding: Request for an additional $87,000 denied; funding remains level.
• County Staffing: 10 positions cut, saving approx. $775,000.

Funding the Gap:

 Rather than further tax increases, the remaining $2.3 million gap will be covered using fund balance reserves.

 📄 Current Projected Budget Status and Disparity Grant Explanation - Public Work Session on April 10, 2025 (PDF)

 🎥 Watch the Session

What’s Next?

The Finance Department will incorporate these decisions and additional State projections into the full budget draft.

Upcoming Budget Milestones:

• May 1, 2025 – First Budget Draft presented at Commissioners Meeting
• May 15, 2025 – Second Presentation with revisions
• May 29, 2025 – Final Budget Adoption