Valley County presents preliminary FY2026 budget; commissioners approve several staffing and funding changes for review

Valley County officials presented a preliminary budget overview for fiscal year 2026 during a public budget workshop and directed staff to publish the proposed budget for public review ahead of a public hearing later this month. Clerk Miller said the board would likely publish the budget on Monday and hold a public hearing on Aug. 27.

The workshop covered multiple staffing and funding proposals. Terry, the county’s facilities director, requested converting an anticipated vacancy into a full-time HVAC journeyman position and said much of the county’s preventative maintenance work involves heating, ventilation and air conditioning. "Most of the preventative maintenance we have here at Valley County directly deals with HVAC," Terry said, and argued that having an on‑staff journeyman would reduce emergency call-outs and contractor costs. County staff estimated the net expense to fund the new position at $36,859.19; the request would fund an additional facilities position, bringing total facilities staffing to three technicians plus janitorial staff. Terry said a state‑licensed journeyman would be preferred and that a reasonable starting pay range to recruit locally would be about $28 to $37 per hour.

Commissioners discussed offsetting savings. Staff noted the county currently spends about $20,000 annually on a contractor (PMG) for HVAC work and that having an…