The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors on an evening vote approved a resolution authorizing the county to execute a general obligation promissory note with Premier Bank for $805,769 to cover a remaining gap in the 2026 capital budget.

The resolution, introduced by Supervisor Jones, was forwarded to the full board following a unanimous recommendation from the finance committee. "The finance committee has secured alternative funding sources for much of its 2026 capital plan. However, a funding difference of $805,769 still exists," Supervisor Jones said when introducing the measure and moved for passage.

Why it matters: Board members said the short-term note allows the county to proceed with capital maintenance and facility work without changing the operating levy. Finance staff told supervisors the county applied $750,000 in unexpected utility-aid revenue from a liquefied natural gas facility in Axonia toward capital projects but still needed the note to fully fund the plan.

Board discussion focused on how the capital plan is normally funded and the temporary nature of the debt. County staff explained that the county's fund-balance policy requires retaining two months of operating expenses, with a goal of three months; historically, amounts above that goal plus net new construction revenue were used for capital projects, but the county currently lacks reserves above the three-month target. "For at least the past two years that hasn't been the case," a staff presenter said, explaining the reason for seeking the note.

Supervisor Schwab asked how the committee decided which capital items to finance through the note, and staff answered that the financed projects are primarily courthouse and facility-related work and that the amount in question is below the county's recurring replacement schedule for fleet and other recurring capital needs. "So that doesn't mean that we're going to obligate necessarily year after year to debt," a staff member said, adding the board could treat some projects as one-time expenditures.

Mark DeBryse, a county staff member called to explain repayment logistics, said the county plans to execute the note before the budget is adopted and to repay it from tax-settlement receipts in January. "This debt would be outstanding for about a month and a half," DeBryse said, noting the timing minimizes interest costs.

Supervisor Macklin asked whether the measure represented recurring debt. "Just to be clear. So this is not reoccurring debt. This is a one time to take care of capital issues," he said; staff answered the authorization is for a one-time note, though the county may choose financing approaches in future years depending on circumstances.

The measure required a three-fourths vote of the full board. The roll-call vote showed 26 in favor, 2 opposed and 2 absent, and the resolution passed.

Clarifying details recorded at the meeting: the finance committee review occurred on Oct. 7, 2025; the net-new construction percentage cited in related reports was 0.74 for the year; $750,000 in unexpected revenue from utility aid to an Axonia LNG facility was applied to capital projects before the note; and county staff specified the note is scheduled for repayment from January tax settlements to limit interest exposure.

The board discussed the county's communications and outreach plans, upcoming public events and scheduled the budget vote for the Nov. 12 county meeting. No members of the public offered comment on the 2026 recommended budget during the required public hearing prior to the vote.

The resolution text and supporting capital-budget schedule are included in the board packet; the resolution was identified as Resolution 2025-52 in the meeting record.