Montgomery County commissioners approve 2026 budget, set mill levy at 44.999

Montgomery County commissioners voted Sept. 8 to exceed the revenue-neutral rate and adopt the fiscal year 2026 budget, setting the county mill levy at 44.999, up from 41.712. The three commissioners voted yes after a public hearing that drew more than an hour of public comment about rising property taxes and county services.

The decision followed remarks from County Administrator Jonathan Boo and a lengthy public comment period in which residents urged the commission to look for cuts, consider a county sales tax, or delay the vote. Commissioner Klubine said she would base her vote on what she judged “best for Montgomery County,” and commissioners joined to approve the budget.

The approved budget increases projected net county expenditures from $30,425,469 in 2025 to $34,244,648 in 2026 — an increase commissioners described as roughly $2 million. Boo told the commission that the proposed levy reflects several factors, including pay adjustments intended to fill vacant positions, higher operating costs such as fuel and aggregate for roads, match requirements for grants and increased costs for required support services and accounting software.

“We discovered that 3, if not 4, of these funds, had been using essentially the savings account of the county to fund it rather than assessing, the proper dollar amount to it to ensure that it is funded correctly,” Boo said during the hearing, explaining part of the levy increase. He told the commission the county had cut roughly $3 million to $3.5 million in expenditures while still arriving at the proposed levy.

Boo also described staffing and recruitment pressures: after a wage study the county is slotted for 207 positions, 178 of which he said are positions required by state statute; he described the county as short-staffed and said some departments are recruiting multiple openings. He said the budget includes wage increases intended to help recruit workers for positions in public works, health and other departments.

The budget also includes local match dollars for grant applications. Boo cited a Build grant for an access road near Bartlett with a total cost of $15.5 million, 80% federally funded and 20% locally matched, which would require about $2.5 million in local match if awarded. He said the general fund includes roughly $2.5–3.0 million budgeted for grant matches and capital needs, and that three bridge projects are planned for next year; some will be funded with grant dollars but at least one will likely rely on levy dollars.

During public comment, residents described the tax burden on fixed-income households and urged the commission to consider alternatives, including a county sales tax. Jonathan Roselle, a resident who reviewed his own assessed value, warned the change would raise his county tax by about $112.91 annually on a representative property; Russell Portwood urged a broader tax base such as sales tax so non-property owners also contribute. Cindy Ross asked about collection of delinquent taxes; commissioners said sheriff sales are planned next year to recover some unpaid revenue but noted many delinquent accounts are due to inability to pay.

Commissioner Klubine and the other commissioners said they had already made some expenditure reductions and emphasized the county is constrained by state requirements for certain offices and services. Klubine said the commission has reduced the mill levy over time — “when I first took office, the mill levy was 56 mills. We're at 44.9 now,” she said — but also observed that the county cannot control school and city levies that are included on residents’ tax bills.

Formal action: Commissioner Klubine moved to approve the fiscal year 2026 budget as presented; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call. Commissioners voting yes: Commissioner Klubine; Commissioner Cordray; Commissioner Fordring. Outcome: approved.

Why this matters: The approved increase means homeowners will pay more to Montgomery County for essential services that county officials say are required by statute or necessary to maintain road and bridge maintenance, emergency services and county operations. Administrators said the increases are intended to stabilize staffing and position the county to secure federal grant funds that require local matches.

The commission closed the public hearings after public comment and proceeded to the vote the same day. Officials said they will pursue grant funding and consider a county sales-tax measure in the future to broaden the tax base.