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County staff outline preliminary 2026 levy showing double‑digit increase before policy adjustments
Summary
County administrators presented preliminary 2026 budget figures showing a potential double‑digit levy increase driven by employee step increases, medical‑leave and insurance unknowns, internal service requests and debt service; commissioners signaled the need for further cuts and prioritized a forthcoming review.
Clay County administrators presented a first look at the county’s 2026 preliminary levy on Tuesday, warning commissioners that current projections show a double‑digit increase before policy choices and revenue decisions. Staff said the main drivers of the preliminary figures are employee step increases and cost‑of‑living adjustments, the cost of new paid‑medical‑leave obligations (the county modeled a 0.44% employer share), health‑insurance uncertainty, and several departmental internal‑service and capital requests. The presentation named specific pressures: an assistant‑administrator position added to the budget this year; a $100,000 internal‑service increase request in the sheriff’s department for vehicles and…
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