The Lancaster County Board of Supervisors on April 10 adopted the FY26 public school budget and took several budget- and capital-related actions, including approving change orders for a convenience-center expansion and asking engineering firm Guernsey Tingle to prepare estimates on whether the soon-to-be-vacant high school could house county administration and public safety functions.

County Administrator Don told the board that the planning commission recommended moving a jail roof replacement into FY26 and postponing a planned combined sheriff’s office and EMS building from FY26 to FY27 pending study of whether county offices could move into the high school after it vacates in summer 2026. Don said the planning commission “felt that [the jail roof replacement] was needed in FY26” after heavy rains revealed worsening leaks; the roof work estimate discussed in the meeting was about $180,000.

Having discussed the options, the board voted to direct Guernsey Tingle to prepare a study and cost estimate to assess reuse of the current high school for county administration and whether EMS and sheriff’s office needs could be met there or elsewhere on the county campus. A supervisor made a motion to authorize the architect to prepare an estimate; the motion carried by voice vote.

On the capital-items front, the board reviewed several proposed purchases and grants: EMS seeks to replace in-service cardiac monitors with the next-generation devices (the county’s current units are LifePak 15 from Stryker and were described as unserviceable without a current service contract), and an ambulance replacement remains contingent on uncertain state grant funding. The county will also seek federal or state security grants with a local match (the board noted a 25% match up to a $250,000 grant, with a $62,500 local match at full grant award).

Don summarized debt-service changes and adjustments to the county’s FY26 budget assumptions. He said he had updated county figures using state compensation-board estimates for constitutional officers, reduced the Broadband Authority request based on current spending trends, and added $334,429 in estimated debt service tied to an anticipated $10 million county project note to be reflected in FY26. Those changes left the county’s projected unassigned fund balance below the board’s previous 7% internal guideline (the presented scenario showed the fund balance at about 5.81% under one projection). Staff told the board the fund balance percentage could improve if FY25 year-end results outperform the conservative projection.

After discussion about cuts and possible tax options, the board agreed for advertising purposes to publish an FY26 county budget that assumes a 57¢ real-estate tax rate (the advertisement is a legal step and the board may adopt a different final rate later). Staff explained that advertising a higher rate gives the board flexibility because the advertised rate is an upper bound: the board can adopt a lower rate after public hearing but cannot adopt a rate higher than advertised.

On school funding, the board voted to adopt and appropriate the Lancaster County Public Schools’ FY26 budget by lump sum; Don said local funding provides $14,116,068 under general operating and $120,004.24 under textbooks and that the overall school budget increased by $533,125 after state and federal funding. A supervisor moved to adopt the school budget and appropriate it in lump sum; the motion passed by voice vote.

Later the board considered a construction contract change-order package for the Kilmarnock convenience center expansion. Don said contractors encountered trash-laden soil that required removal and replacement with clean fill; the county had previously approved two small administrative change orders and sought formal approval of change order number three, which covers the extra fill. The board approved the total of three change orders, listed in the packet at a combined $70,950, to keep the project moving.

Board members also discussed operational needs tied to the county’s new high school schedule, staffing shortages in EMS and law enforcement that drive overtime and equipment requests, and other capital needs such as school bus replacements, portable AC units for emergency building use, and repairs to the administration and social services buildings. Staff reminded the board that some capital items are financed (bonds or notes) and do not directly affect the general fund, while others require operating dollars or local matches to grant awards.

No additional tax-rate ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the board set next steps to advertise the budget, hold the required public hearing on April 24 and adopt the budget at its regular May meeting per the county budget calendar.