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Hubbard County presents budget update; preliminary levy set at $22.9 million, staff project limited use of fund balance
Summary
County staff briefed commissioners on the 2026 budget assumptions, reporting a preliminary levy of $22,900,000, planned adjustments to staffing assumptions that should reduce the projected use of fund balance by about $600,000, and an expected final general‑fund use of fund balance of roughly $400,000–$500,000 if current assumptions hold.
County staff updated the board Monday on the 2026 budget, projecting a preliminary levy of $22,900,000 and forecasting a modest use of general‑fund balance that staff said should remain manageable under current assumptions.
The presenter said updated staffing assumptions and other adjustments will reduce the projected shortfall. Specifically, staff noted that when human services reverts from 100% to an assumed 98% staffing level, the presenter expects about $600,000 to be removed from the gap that was visible in the draft numbers. With that change and other modest adjustments, staff estimated the county’s actual use of general‑fund balance could be in the range of $400,000–$500,000, an amount the presenter said the county has capacity to absorb.
The presenter framed the estimates on historical hiring and vacancy patterns: past years show actual wages and staffing have ranged around 95%–101% of budget, with an average near 97%. Based on that pattern and the current draft, staff said they were budgeting closer to the line than in prior years and asked elected officials to be cautious on spending while recognizing some built‑in float remains.
Other details discussed included adjustments to revenue expectations, conservative assumptions about future investment returns, and the treatment of highway projects funded from dedicated resources (which the presenter said are intentionally advanced by highway and are not a general‑fund concern). The presenter also reported public safety is generally fully staffed and that staffing changes should reduce overtime costs next year.
The presenter said more detailed budget documentation requested by commissioners will be provided at a future meeting (likely in late October or the first week in November) after staff meet to reconcile outstanding detail items.
Why it matters: County officials noted the county’s fund balance target is an active conversation; staff said the current general‑fund balance is approximately 7% and that any target below 7% would be an intentional use of fund balance requiring board discretion.
Next steps: Staff will meet to finalize requested details and return with updated budget papers and a levy recommendation at an upcoming meeting. No formal action or vote was taken at Monday’s work session.
