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Commission opens FY26 budget season with fund‑balance warning from finance director
Summary
Director Meredith gave a high‑level overview of five‑year fund balances, warning that the county’s general fund reserve is not keeping pace with higher expenditures and urging commissioners to set priorities for the FY26 budget.
Washington County commissioners on Feb. 24 began the fiscal‑year 2026 budget season as county staff laid out historical revenue and expenditure trends and urged elected officials to identify priorities for the coming year.
Director Meredith provided a 60,000‑foot overview of the county’s fund balances, showing a post‑COVID peak driven by ARPA and other one‑time federal receipts and a gradual return toward pre‑pandemic levels. Meredith cautioned that the general fund reserves are roughly at 2020 levels while expenditures have increased since then.
"My concern from a fiscal standpoint is ... the general fund fund balance," Meredith said, urging the budget committee and department heads to focus on efficiencies as they prepare department requests.
Why it matters: commissioners must balance competing demands — capital projects, staff salaries and storm recovery — within constrained recurring revenue. Staff said departments will submit capital and operating requests in March; the county will consolidate and present a proposed budget in April.
Key points from the presentation and discussion - Fund trends: Meredith presented multi‑year charts showing fund balances that rose in 2021–23 because of COVID‑era and ARPA receipts, then fell back as one‑time funds were spent. The FY25 stack was lower than the 2020 peak once a temporary $5 million highway fund withdrawal is adjusted. - Expenditures and salaries: Commissioners and the director noted recent salary increases to retain staff and that salary costs make up a large portion of recurring spending; Meredith said salary alignment achieved in recent years may not be fully sustainable without careful budget choices. - Process and timeline: Department heads will receive guidance and submit capital and operating budgets toward March; county staff will assemble and present consolidated budget materials in April ahead of formal deliberations. - City building/TLC facility: Commissioner Jones asked for a clearer communication channel about the former city building being redeveloped as a Training and Learning Center (TLC) and the library’s move. County leaders said interest from potential tenants is growing and suggested a committee or other forum to vet tenant proposals as the county considers county‑owned uses.
Commissioners were invited to share program priorities or suggested reductions at the outset of the process; Meredith and the mayor said the budget committee will use that guidance while preparing the proposed FY26 budget.
The commission took no final budget votes at the Feb. 24 meeting; staff will return with detailed department requests later in the spring.
