Linn County commissioners weigh revenue-neutral option as cash reserves fall in budget workshop

Linn County commissioners and staff spent the workshop reviewing the county’s draft budget and options for the 2026 levy, with the presentation showing last year’s mill levy at 38.238 and countywide receipts that staff said total about $1 million under that levy.

The county’s budget adviser said cash at the end of 2024 was about $5,000,009.50 and projected cash at the end of 2025 would be roughly $3,000,009.47 under current assumptions; that projection, he said, would leave the county below a six‑month reserve and produce a six‑month shortfall in the general fund of roughly $1,000,093 if no changes are made. Staff showed a revenue‑neutral rate of about 35.087, and explained that staying at the same mill levy as 2025 would raise additional tax dollars because assessed values had increased.