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Tax collector asks for two new tag-and-title staff as part of small overall budget increase
Summary
Amy Dugger, Baker County tax collector, presented a proposed fiscal-year 2026 budget that would increase overall spending about 4.8% from the prior year. The largest single request is funding for two additional employees in the tag-and-title/driver's license area to address sustained customer growth.
Amy Dugger, Baker County tax collector, presented her office's fiscal 2026 budget request at the county's February budget workshop, asking the commission to approve a roughly 4.8% increase from last year to cover staffing, equipment and operating cost increases.
Dugger told the board the tax-collector office has experienced sustained growth in customer demand: she reported roughly a 20% year-over-year increase in tag-and-title transactions and about a 15% rise in driver’s license customers over recent years (she later updated July numbers to describe a 22% increase over the prior year). To address longer processing times and employee strain, Dugger requested funding for two new full-time employees assigned to the tag-and-title/driver's-license area. She said the additions are intended to improve service, maintain compliance with processing standards and reduce employee burnout.
Other budget drivers Dugger discussed included increased postage due to petition-law changes, aging technology and higher industry costs for equipment, and medical insurance increases tied to employees' coverage choices. She said certification pay and most contractual maintenance costs are steady or lower compared with the prior year, and that one-time capital purchases (two new workstations) account for part of the increase. Dugger noted the office incorporated a planned 3% salary scenario externally but that the submitted justification sheet does not include the county-wide 3% salary policy adjustment.
Commissioners sought clarification about totals and asked for copies of Dugger's detailed calculations (3%/4%/5% scenarios) so each commissioner can review how proposed pay raises and insurance changes alter the budget. Dugger agreed to provide the requested breakdown and confirmed the 4.8% figure includes the two new employees but does not include an across-the-board 3% increase.
Ending: The board asked staff to circulate Dugger's supporting sheets and asked the tax-collector to supply any additional details on operation and capital-outlay items before final budget decisions.
