Adams County supervisors approve 2026 budget resolution; fund three new positions

Adams County supervisors approved a 2026 budget resolution at a publicly noticed meeting, forwarding the resolution to the full county board on Nov. 11.

The resolution adopts the county’s 2026 tax levy, mill rate and total expenditures and includes funding for three new positions reflected in the budget numbers, county finance staff said. The committee voted to approve the resolution on a voice vote; Supervisor Gubarski moved and Supervisor Edwards seconded the motion.

The committee discussion focused largely on staffing and revenue impacts. Kyle, the county finance director, said the largest single increase discussed was for a planning and zoning position. "The amount budgeted for the position in 2025 was a little over $36,000. And for 2026, it's a little under $93,000," Kyle said, adding that the jump reflects adding benefits and step increases. He noted that the prior role had been part time and therefore did not include benefits.

Committee members and staff explained other budget details for the position. Kyle said the roughly $56,000 figure referenced during the meeting for planning and zoning included benefits; previously the role had been budgeted at a lower amount because it was part time and did not include benefits. A committee member noted that 20 hours of the position would continue to be paid by the town of Quincy, which reduces the county’s net increase.

The committee also discussed how building permit revenue is shared when inspections are outsourced. Kyle said the county’s current contract with General Code, the private contractor used for building inspections, results in the contractor retaining 90% of building permit fees and the county keeping 10%. "When we outsourced building inspections, that was contracted out with General Code; they retained 90% of the building permit fees, and then the county gets 10%," Kyle said. He added that building permit volumes fluctuate and historically some years’ permit revenue would not have covered a full-time inspector’s cost, while other years it might.

Code enforcement and citations were part of the discussion. Miss Corvano, a county staff member, described the citation process and amounts: depending on the violation, citations are typically about $200.50 and are handled through the county court process. She said the county holds code enforcement hearings twice a month and typically processes two to six tickets during those hearings.

Committee members also raised concerns about highway maintenance funding. One supervisor said the highway department has not seen an increase in levy funding and that rising construction and asphalt costs may strain routine maintenance budgets. County staff noted the department also bills other counties and the state for work, and those intergovernmental billings help offset costs.

The committee approved the budget resolution by voice vote and directed it to the county board for final action on Nov. 11. The committee’s next meeting was scheduled for Nov. 7 at 9:00 a.m.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve the 2026 budget resolution — mover: Supervisor Gubarski; second: Supervisor Edwards; outcome: approved by voice vote; counts not specified.