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Finance committee delays some FY26 budget increases after debate over pay parity and reserve risks
Summary
Committee members approved many departmental budgets but laid over contested requests, citing an overall general fund deficit and uncertainty about nursing home liabilities and health insurance costs. A proposal to grant assistant state’s attorneys a larger-than-COLA increase failed and many items were delayed for further review.
Stevens County’s finance committee on Sept. 11 approved a number of department budget requests for fiscal 2026 but held or sent several contentious items back for further review after extended debate over salary increases and reserves.
Committee members reviewed budget sheets the finance director and chair had highlighted as ready for action. Staff reported the general fund currently shows a deficit of about $110,000 and cautioned that health insurance and an outstanding nursing-home liability remain major uncertainties for the FY26 budget.
One significant point of debate involved the state’s attorney’s office. Committee members…
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