Supervisors set budget schedule, discuss weekly strategic planning sessions and one-week notice for department presentations

Board members spent an extended portion of the meeting discussing scheduling for 2025 strategic planning sessions and the county budget process. They debated how to balance recurring Tuesday afternoon strategic planning (facilitated sessions) with the need to hold budget hearings and departmental presentations.

Why it matters: The county faces a state-mandated calendar for budget submission that requires department numbers to be uploaded to the state's system by March 5. To meet that timeline the board discussed having first-round budget decisions by the end of February so the auditor's office can prepare the required materials and publish the first hearing. The second public hearing would follow later, with final certification in April under the state schedule.

Key points from the discussion: - The board discussed an ongoing series of strategic planning work sessions proposed for Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Hartman Reserve. That block would serve team-building and planning functions. It was acknowledged those sessions could include just the board, or the board and department heads, depending on the agenda. - Board members asked to avoid scheduling conflicts with budget work and suggested keeping Tuesday strategic sessions lighter when budget work is underway, and shifting more detailed departmental budget presentations to Thursdays where practical. - Department heads said a one-week lead time for presentation materials would be workable for most departments. Several department heads asked to be scheduled toward the end of the budget cycle when possible (sheriff's office and departments with larger, more complex budgets were specifically noted as needing more time). - The auditor's office described the state process that requires department data uploaded by March 5, with the board's first hearing numbers in place by the end of February to allow mailing and auditor processing; the second hearing would likely be in mid-April and final certification follows state timelines. - The board agreed to set a goal of having first-round budget numbers by the last Thursday of February (discussed as Feb. 27 in the meeting) to meet the state schedule.

Substantive concerns and process notes: Board members and staff emphasized the practicalities of preparing personnel costs (noted as the largest expense) and the need for department cooperation to provide accurate numbers. Several members urged more intentional scheduling (posting who will present a few weeks ahead) so supervisors can prepare questions and meet with department heads offline prior to presentations. Departments noted ongoing staffing and negotiation issues can delay submissions and asked for flexibility where needed.

Ending: The board agreed on a target schedule and asked county staff to coordinate a presentation calendar, provide at least a week’s notice to supervisors when possible, and prioritize completing the first round of budget numbers by the end of February so the auditor's office can meet the state's March submission deadline.