County staff presents 2025 proposed budget, flags 20% reduction and marketing as biggest expense

County staff presented the 2025 proposed budget and told the commission the county is taking a conservative approach, forecasting about a 20% reduction from last year and roughly $500,000 less in total expenses.

"This year, we are continuing to be very conservative on our budget," the staff member said. "Last year, we predicted a 20% decrease. This year, we predicted a 20% and also cut some parts of our budget where we just felt we weren't, either using the funds in the past or we didn't see a need for them this year."

The presenter said the largest share of the county's expenses in the package is for marketing, describing a focus on supporting a year‑round overnight tourist destination and local event marketing grants. The staff member also described a partnership with the Moises River Authority that, the presenter said, helps with river cleanup and with spreading the county's messaging into schools.

The presenter pointed commissioners to a highlighted figure on page 2 of the packet showing the change in total expenses compared with 2024 and said some items had been removed from the budget. "For expenses, and we're about a half million less than what we were last year. So our majority of our expenses this year are going towards marketing," the presenter said.

After the presentation a member of the court asked for questions and a motion. "Any other questions, comments? Is there a motion to accept the report?" the presiding speaker asked. A motion and a second were called for; the transcript does not record who moved or seconded, nor does it record the vote outcome.

The packet and the remarks indicate the budget proposal emphasizes marketing and outreach while reducing overall spending; the meeting did not record a formal adoption vote in the available transcript excerpt.