Sandra, the county’s budget officer, led a July 14 workshop walking commissioners through preliminary revenue estimates, departmental requests and several one‑time and recurring items that will affect next year’s budget.

Preliminary values and schedule: Sandra said the appraisal district’s preliminary figures show roughly a 10 percent increase to the county’s net taxable value for the general fund but cautioned that new parcels may not yet be included. “We won’t know how much money we have until we calculate the tax rate. That’ll be presented to you on August 4,” she said; the next formal budget workshop was scheduled for Aug. 18.

General fund snapshot: Sandra said the county’s current‑year general fund budget is about $9.7 million and that year‑to‑date collections have been roughly $10.0 million. She noted the budget as presented did not yet include certified tax revenue and therefore left tax revenue lines blank for the court’s deliberations.

Other revenue notes: Sandra described small fees and fines that feed the general fund, election service revenue that may be charged to outside entities, and restricted revenue (grants and earmarked receipts) that moves between funds. She noted a recurring payment related to a wind turbine project under an abatement agreement — described as a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) in the budget — listed at roughly $330,000 annually, and said the county has received multiple payments from that arrangement in prior years.

Why it matters: Taxable value and certified tax levy determine available tax revenue for recurring services and capital projects. Preliminary figures influence budget planning, but final allocations will depend on certified values and the commissioners’ decisions in August.

Next steps: Budget officer Sandra will refine revenue numbers as appraisal values are certified and present tax‑rate calculations on Aug. 4; commissioners expect to resume budget workshops Aug. 18 to finalize appropriations.

Sources: Remarks by Sandra, county budget officer, during the July 14 workshop.