Budget staff presented the board with the schedule and options for the 2026 property-tax levy and related budget decisions.

Staff outlined key upcoming dates: a third budget roundtable the following week, notices of public hearing in the coming week, a property-tax levy hearing scheduled tentatively for Nov. 17, and additional final budget action targeted for Nov. 10 with public posting by Nov. 17 and final adoption at the later hearing cycle. Staff explained three high-level options: status quo (no increase), a 1% levy increase with no use of banked capacity, and a 1% increase combined with use of banked capacity or a full road-levy shift that would reallocate county road levy capacity to the general levy. Staff provided illustrative dollar impacts for a median assessed value (example used: $425,000) under each option and noted that growth in assessed value can offset rate changes.

Commissioners discussed how the road-levy shift would disperse property-tax costs differently across incorporated and unincorporated areas, requested additional breakout by incorporated/unincorporated parcels, and asked staff to provide an interactive spreadsheet to test alternative allocations. Staff said they will supply the requested breakdowns and refined slides for the board's public hearings and decisions.

No final tax-levey decision was made during the briefing; staff requested the board's feedback and scheduled public hearings and notices as part of the budget timeline.