County auditor details Gateway-based changes; treasurer warns new tax rules will increase service demand

County Auditor Bree Gregory told the Monroe County Council the auditor’s office has taken several steps to tighten controls for the 2026 budget cycle and to make Gateway—the state’s budget filing system—the source of record for council review. Gregory said auditor staff populated Gateway worksheets, vetted miscellaneous revenue estimates with departments, and increased advertised budgets by 30% to give council maximum flexibility during hearings. “We have some changes to procedure this year and added controls,” Gregory told the council, explaining that her team audited entries in-house to improve accuracy and that she will provide maximum-levy worksheets and an estimated-rate “cheat sheet” as the council reviews the ordinance. She said staff will update Gateway nightly during budget sessions so council members can see adopted changes immediately. Treasurer Cathy Smith said new state tax rules—changes to homestead credits and a move from levy-based funding to local income tax (LIT) mechanisms—will make tax-bill calculations and communications more complex over the next several years. “This year, it will be the first year that we will have the tax credits and then the homestead supplemental, deductions change each of the subsequent 3 years,” Smith said, warning of “long lines” and “lengthy phone calls” when bills are mailed next spring. Gregory and Smith together urged the council to plan for increased public information and staffing demands and to review departmental budgets with an eye to the state’s shifting revenue model. Gregory said the Department of Local Government Finance has experienced delays and technical issues that slowed some final estimates, but that staff expects to receive certified figures and will circulate them as soon as they are available. Why it matters: the auditor’s controls and Gateway-centered workflow change how staff and council will manage the 2026 budget process; the treasurer’s warning signals likely heavier demand for front-line county services and taxpayer assistance next tax season. Next steps: auditor to post Gateway worksheets and CNAV when available; treasurer and auditor to collaborate on taxpayer-facing materials for bill mailings and to coordinate staffing plans for 2026 tax season.