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Jackson County presents balanced 2026 general fund budget proposal; raises planned for wages, health care and retirement costs
Summary
County finance staff told commissioners the proposed 2026 general fund is balanced; staff projected a 3% property-tax increase, budgeted salary and benefits increases, and sought new FTEs and capital reserves for vehicles, GIS and IT.
Finance staff presented a draft 2026 general fund budget proposal to the Board of Commissioners and said the plan is balanced while showing several significant expenditure increases driven by wages, benefits and defined-benefit retirement contributions.
Cecilia (staff member) told commissioners the county is projecting a 3% increase in property-tax revenue — about $918,000 — bringing budgeted property tax revenue to roughly $31,500,000. She said revenue-sharing from the state was projected at a 3.4% increase, approximately $161,650, producing a $4,700,000 budgeted revenue-sharing figure.
On spending, Cecilia said the county is budgeting approximately $589,000 in wage increases (including step increases), bringing total annual wages in the general fund to about $18,400,000. She said health-insurance costs for active employees and retirees were projected to increase 7.5% ($525,200), with total health insurance and wellness costs budgeted at about $7,500,000. Defined-benefit retirement contributions were projected to increase by $955,000 across all funds; the general fund’s share of that increase is $747,000.
Cecilia told commissioners that emergency dispatch will request an assistant director position (wages and benefits total $100,005.73) and the medical examiner’s office will request a lead medical examiner investigator ($92,095.55) and a part-time pathology assistant ($42,360). She said about 40% of those examiners’ costs will be recovered through a cost-share arrangement with Lenawee and Hillsdale counties.
Capital and reserve items in the draft included replacement of four sheriff vehicles ($295,790), $40,000 annually toward the county’s next GIS aerial flight, and $305,000 for information-technology replacements. Staff clarified the GIS and IT amounts are being budgeted as a set-aside (savings) for future multi-year purchases; the sheriff vehicle amount is budgeted for actual 2026 expenditures. Cecilia said draft budgets and supporting schedules will be circulated next week and a full public presentation is planned for a September study session; the board will consider final approval at the September board meeting.
Commissioners asked for follow-up information on the delinquent tax revolving fund and where specific reserve balances appear in the financial statements; auditors had earlier agreed to provide page references. A commissioner thanked finance staff for timely preparation and responsiveness during the budget and audit processes.
Cecilia said the draft schedules will be distributed to commissioners this week for review and that the county will present the full budget in September, when public comment will also be accepted.
