Saint Joseph County auditors present 2026 budget estimates; council hears concerns about mid‑decade tax changes

John Murphy, Saint Joseph County auditor, and county budget staff presented the county's proposed 2026 budget at the council's Sept. 9 meeting, telling the council the general fund is balanced at $90,700,000 and the county's total budget across all funds is approximately $231,000,000. The council held public hearings on multiple budget ordinances and later approved several salary amendments funded outside the general fund.

The presentation outlined revenue and expenditure assumptions that produced a $90.7 million general fund balanced budget and showed the county's total revenues rising about 1.5% from the prior year to $231 million. Murphy said, "Achieved a balanced general fund budget at $90,700,000, which is 39% of the total budget." He and budget staff warned that state changes to property tax policy will tighten revenues further in 2027 and 2028.

Why it matters: the general fund pays many core county services; the county projects limited revenue growth for 2026 and flagged the public safety local income tax fund's reserve as leaner than desirable. Council members repeatedly asked how statewide changes will affect local levies and services in subsequent years.

The presentation and figures Murphy and an analyst who identified himself as…