St. Joseph County Council adopts 2026 budget, narrowly approves salary ordinance 5-4

St. Joseph County Council passed the county'wide 2026 budget and a companion salary ordinance on Tuesday, Oct. 14, approving both measures by a 5-4 vote after more than an hour of debate over pay increases and departmental funding.

The budget ordinance (bill 73-25) and the salary ordinance (bill 74-25) were adopted following a public hearing and floor debate. Council members who opposed the measures cited concerns about a position-specific raise and increases for certain departments; supporters framed the raise as a retention and economic-development tool tied to major investments the county has attracted.

The difference in opinion centered on a raise included for the county's economic development director, discussed during the budget debate as roughly $30,000. President Schutzel, who earlier had defended the director's record, offered an amendment to remove that raise but said the amendment drew no second and therefore failed. Councilman Catanzarite and others argued the director had secured large investments for the county; Councilman Figg and others said the raise was inappropriate while other county employees received no increase.

"This is my fourth budget. The first three budgets I voted yes. Tonight I'm a vote no," Councilman Figg said, adding that two items drove his opposition: "First of all, I want to say... there was a raise that was put in ... And that did trouble me. And the second thing ... was the parks. I was looking at theirs and they have an increase of almost 14%."

After the amendment failed for lack of a second, Councilman Catanzarite moved passage of the budget; Councilman Tanner seconded. The roll call produced a 5-4 result and the measures were declared adopted. Council members noted the county has passed a balanced budget for three consecutive years.

The council also heard and approved other fiscal items and amendments during the meeting, including appropriations and department budgets that were moved forward after earlier committee hearings. Several budget-related amendments were proposed from the floor but did not advance.

Votes at a glance - Bill 73-25 (2026 county budget): Passed 5-4. Motion: Catanzarite; Second: Tanner. Key debate: position-specific raise for the county economic development director (amount discussed in meeting: approximately $30,000). - Bill 74-25 (2026 salary ordinance): Passed 5-4. Motion: Hess; Second: Catanzarite. Companion to 73-25. - Bill 70-25 (Solid Waste Fund appropriations): Passed 9-0. - Bill 71-25 (Airport Authority appropriations): Passed 9-0. - Bill 79-25 (interdepartmental appropriations/transfers): Passed 9-0. - Bill 80-25 (prosecutor grant salary amendment, $171,286): Passed 9-0. Motion to appropriate continuation grant funds for partial salaries in the special victims unit. - Bill 77-25 (health department fees and schedule of fines/fees): Passed 9-0. - Bill 76-25 (Legacy Village Court PUD amendment): Passed 9-0. - Bill 83-25 (resolution honoring Clay Fire Marshal David Cherone): Passed 9-0.

Discussion, clarifications and next steps President Schutzel noted the county must adopt its budget before Nov. 1 and framed the action as part of multi-year fiscal work with county commissioners and department heads. He and other council members described the decision on the director'level raise as tied to retention and the county's recent success attracting large projects.

Council members asked for and received clarifications on several funds that may require future attention, including prosecutor-related funds, community corrections, juvenile programming, and highway paving funds.

The council did not approve any amendment that would raise the overall advertised budget beyond what was presented at the public hearing. A floor amendment to remove the raise for the economic development director was offered but received no second and therefore died.

Ending Council members said they will continue to track at-risk funds and department cash reserves as the county implements the 2026 budget. The council's next committee meeting is scheduled for Oct. 28 and the next regular council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 12.