Budget work session: commissioners trim proposed shelter appropriation, keep mill levy change near 2.92 mills

At a June 30 budget work session, Raleigh County finance staff reviewed updated budget figures and commissioners directed changes to preliminary appropriations, including reducing the proposed appropriation for the county animal shelter.

Budget and Finance Officer Britney Phillips presented an updated memorandum documenting changes made after the board’s June work session, including keeping the budget stabilization figure at $4,250,000 and increasing projected investment income. With the changes, Phillips said the preliminary mill levy difference from last year’s budget was about 2.921 mills, including cost-of-living adjustments and new positions.

Commissioners and staff discussed several departmental requests. Phillips and commissioners agreed to reduce the 2026 appropriation for the shelter to $35,000 for planning purposes; Phillips said she would reflect the change in the next packet. Commissioners also asked staff to continue working with departments that had larger increases and to present additional reductions and clarifications at the next meeting. Phillips noted she had reached out to departments with large increases and expected further revisions to come.

The board also discussed appropriations for inter-county services and the implications of potential state and federal funding changes. Commissioners emphasized that larger partner counties should contribute to shared services where appropriate and that state-level funding decisions could affect local agency budgets. Finance staff will circulate revised departmental figures before the next meeting and return to the board with updated appropriation proposals.