Commissioners preview 2026 budget: COLA proposal, law‑enforcement step plan and road funding concerns
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Summary
In a preliminary budget workshop commissioners discussed a 2.3% cost‑of‑living adjustment proposal, a law‑enforcement step‑plan expansion to raise starting deputy pay to $70,000 and ongoing concerns about road and equipment funding.
Johnson County commissioners on July 14 held a preliminary budget workshop in which staff outlined timetable and priorities for the FY2026 budget and discussed candidate increases for employee pay, potential law‑enforcement step plan changes and pressure on road‑and‑bridge budgets.
County staff said the administration’s working priority is to avoid a tax‑rate increase beyond the voter‑approved road bond penny while investing in existing employees and maintaining healthy fund balances. The county manager recommended a cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) equal to the April consumer price index — about 2.3 percent — consistent with the court’s policy used in prior budget cycles.
The sheriff and county staff discussed an update to the law‑enforcement step plan. The proposal raised patrol deputy starting pay to $70,000 from roughly $63,000, compressed early steps, and retained a higher top step for long‑tenure officers. County estimates presented to the court placed the annual cost of the proposed step adjustments at roughly $1.6 million including fringe benefits; staff said the number would vary depending on final design and whether small command‑staff adjustments are included.
Commissioners and staff also discussed the county‑wide longevity program adopted last year; staff recommended funding the second half of a multi‑year implementation so that long‑service employees receive the intended larger longevity payments. The county manager said the court’s priorities also include keeping employee health‑insurance contributions flat if possible.
Several commissioners raised concerns about road‑and‑bridge funding and rising costs for materials and heavy equipment. Precinct officials said the price of oil, replacement parts and construction equipment has increased significantly and urged the court to consider additional road funding — including reconsideration of interlocal agreements and the vehicle/equipment replacement reserve — to avoid deferred maintenance.
No budget decisions were made; staff said certified appraisal values arriving later in July will determine available revenue and that the court will hold formal budget workshops in August and adopt a proposed budget by mid‑August ahead of a September adoption date.
