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Coos County budget planners say $1.8 million gap closed with cuts, revenue and one-time funds
Summary
County officials told the Board of Commissioners during a public hearing that they balanced a $1.8 million shortfall by a mix of sustainable revenue, position eliminations and one-time funds; public commenters raised concerns about staffing in the elections office.
Coos County budget officials told the Board of Commissioners on May 20 that they had closed an approximately $1.8 million gap in the fiscal year 2025–26 proposed budget by combining new revenue, personnel reductions and one-time money.
At a public hearing on the county budget, the chair of the board said the shortfall was addressed "with a combination of making some revenue from solid waste and parks," eliminating several positions and "taking one-time revenue from some sources that we identify." The chair added, "So we do have a balanced budget."
Finance Director and Treasurer Megan Sims was thanked repeatedly by commissioners for laying out the options. A commissioner summarized the mix as roughly equal parts, saying two-thirds of the solution is sustainable and one-third is one-time, improving prospects for the following year.
Residents used the public-hearing period to press the board on how the cuts would affect services. Didi Murphy of Coos Bay said the elections office will lose a position under the plan and "it's very unhelpful and distressing to think that that one person has to do this all by herself."
The board closed the public hearing and indicated it will consider a final budget adoption in June, after making minor adjustments described by staff.
Why it matters: The county faces multi-year fiscal pressure, and the mix of ongoing revenue and one-time solutions will affect service levels and staffing. Voter-facing operations such as the elections office were singled out by public commenters as potentially vulnerable to cuts.
Details: County officials said the $1.8 million gap was addressed across three buckets: new revenue from solid waste and parks; elimination of positions (multiple positions were cut, discussed as six positions by staff); and one-time revenue items. The chair and other commissioners repeatedly thanked Megan Sims for presenting the options. Public commenters flagged specific offices: Didi Murphy said the elections office had already shrunk from about seven employees historically to two and would be left with one if cuts proceed.
Next steps: County staff said there are a few minor changes remaining before formal adoption in June.
