Norfolk County treasurer outlines modest FY2026 budget increase, commissioners take request under advisement

Treasurer Michael presented the Norfolk County treasurer's proposed fiscal 2026 operating budget at the Feb. 26 commissioners meeting, saying the request represents “an increase of about 4.71%,” roughly $28,000, but that he expects to find savings to lower the net impact.

The treasurer told commissioners that a proposed change includes increasing an existing staff position from four to five days a week, a line he identified as a roughly $19,000 personnel increase to cover duties such as expense warrants, vendor work and bank reconciliations. He also described a $15,000 temporary-salaries line that he said he is willing to remove, an $8,000 payroll-consultant line intended to fund a workflow analysis and succession planning, a $200 increase in printing and binding and a $100 increase in PO box rent. The treasurer said the county could use the consultant funds to document workflows and to develop a detailed job description to ease an eventual transition for long‑time staff.

Why it matters: the treasurer emphasized that many departments face fiscal pressure and said his office is trying to minimize the request while keeping core services intact. He framed the payroll consultant as a risk‑management and continuity expense so the office can recruit and train a replacement if long‑time staff depart.

Commission discussion and next steps: commissioners asked about retaining temporary salary funding to cover recruitment and overlap for training if a staff departure occurs. The treasurer said permanent hires would be added to the permanent payroll line and reiterated his willingness to remove the temporary-salary line. After discussion, a commissioner moved to take the treasurer's budget matter under advisement; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Budget details and clarifications: the treasurer provided the following line items and clarifications during his presentation: - Proposed overall increase: about 4.71% (~$28,000) before adjustments. - Proposed one‑day-per‑week increase for a staff member (Laurie) to five days: about $19,000. - Temporary salaries line: $15,000 (the treasurer offered to remove it from the request). - Payroll‑consultant line: $8,000 to support workflow analysis and transition planning. - Printing and binding increase: $200. - PO box rent increase: $100. - Computer equipment decrease: $200.

The treasurer also said some increases reflect non‑discretionary longevity pay for existing employees. He noted the office would attempt to identify savings to reduce the requested increase.

Ending: Commissioners did not vote to adopt the treasurer's FY2026 request at the meeting; they moved to take the proposal under advisement for further review and scheduled continued budget deliberations for subsequent weeks.