Clay County projects 2.55% levy increase for 2026; social-services costs driven by detox, placements and MSOP cost shift

Quinn presented the county’s 2024 fiscal results and the proposed 2026 budget to the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, saying total 2024 revenues were $28,642,093 and expenditures $28,737,623, a shortfall of $95,529. For 2026 the proposed levy request is $15,733,925 — an increase of $751,701 over the 2025 levy request. The administration proposed using $350,000 of fund balance, which reduces the year-over-year levy increase to $401,701 (2.55%).

Quinn said social services remains the largest pressure on the levy. Key drivers identified in the presentation include: a substantial projected increase in withdrawal-management (detox) costs tied to the new withdrawal management facility (2026 detox budget forecast $1,990,015, up about 32.7% from the prior figure), out-of-home placement costs projected at about $3,670,000 for 2026 (county net impact on levy—after recoveries—roughly $2,830,000), and a new state-mandated county cost share of 40% for civilly committed offenders that will raise the county’s share of those high-cost placements.

Quinn noted the number of children in out-of-home placement has decreased (he cited a drop from roughly 200 at historic highs to about 150 in the recent projection), but overall placement expenditures remain high because of expensive residential placements and out-of-county placements that can cost $1,800–$2,100 per day. Quinn said about $835,000 of placement costs are expected to be recovered in 2026, leaving a levy impact of ~$2.83M.

Other budget highlights presented: - A recommended new full-time disability case manager in Home and Community Based Services to manage rising caseloads; Quinn estimated salaries and benefits at roughly $90,658 and anticipated the position could generate net revenue after training and billing. - Nursing-home, interpreter, and county-burial costs that are difficult to predict but contributed to 2024 overspending and were increased in the 2026 proposal (county burials proposed at $200,000 for 2026, up $20,000 from 2025). - Detox reimbursements are uncertain; county staff said they expect to re-evaluate projected reimbursement levels this fall as early billing data from the new withdrawal-management license becomes available. - Revenue increases across waiver and billing lines (MA admin recoveries, DD waiver, child protection grant) that help offset some pressures; Quinn reported projected revenue increases of roughly $660,000 for 2026 in those lines.

Quinn said the budget attempts to balance mandated services, uncertain legislative changes (including MAP implementation and paid family medical leave), and opportunities to capture additional revenue. The board and staff discussed advocacy work tied to QRTP certification for regional facilities, which could restore federal Title IV-E reimbursement for some placements.

Ending: Quinn yielded for questions after the presentation; no formal adoption vote occurred Tuesday. Commissioners asked for follow-up details as the county prepares the preliminary levy and as state-level policy and reimbursement information becomes clearer.