County receives 4% growth quotient; officials say SB1 and delayed data add uncertainty to 2026 budget

Clinton County officials told the county council on Aug. 19 that the state has issued a 4% growth quotient and that the county’s preliminary maximum allowable levy for 2026 is $11,690,000.

Britt (auditor staff) walked the council through worksheets showing the quotient and a draft property-tax apportionment worksheet. “We have received the growth growth quotient which is 4%,” Britt said. Britt also reported that the county’s worksheet shows a bottom-line county levy of $11,690,000 for 2026.

Why it matters: The growth quotient and levy determine the ceiling for property-tax revenue next year. Council members and staff also said they are waiting for several state reports needed to finalize the budget, and that changes tied to recent legislation are complicating projections.

SB1 and delayed state data: Officials flagged Senate Bill 1 (SB1) as a major source of uncertainty. Britt said the county is still waiting on TIF neutralization numbers, circuit-breaker reports and other pieces from the Department of Local Government Finance; she told the council she hoped to have outside analyst Baker Tilly’s numbers before the September budget meeting. At the meeting, one council member summarized: “that $1,200,000 of cap credit loss, that's the number that concerns me as we move forward,” reflecting concern about credits that reduce taxable collections.

Council actions: The council formally recorded receipt of the county’s growth quotient, max levy worksheet and property tax apportionment worksheet and voted 7-0 to note those materials (motion by Mary, second by Carol). Staff said they will continue to update the council as state data and external analyses arrive.

Next steps: Auditor staff and outside consultants will await DLGF and TIF-neutralization figures and provide updated net assessed values and revenue projections to the council ahead of budget hearings.