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Barry County public hearing draws opposition to proposed 2026 budget and possible jail millage
Summary
At an Oct. 28 public hearing the Barry County Board of Commissioners heard extended public comment opposing inclusion of a jail millage in the proposed 2026 budget. Commenters raised questions about fund balances, contingency amounts, staffing and alternatives to taxing residents for a new jail.
Barry County residents told the Board of Commissioners on Oct. 28 that the proposed 2026 budget should not rely on a millage to pay for a new jail and that the county should pursue internal restructuring and other funding before asking taxpayers to pay more.
During unlimited public comment and again in the formal public hearing, speakers said the budget’s inclusion of a potential jail millage and large capital outlays conflicted with the county’s reported high fund balances. Gary White, who spoke during the unlimited public-comment period, said, “2 state reps have already said you have no money coming from the state to build a jail.” He also criticized the plan to show potential debt figures in the budget, saying, “It also talks about debt of the $20,000,000 or the $50,000,000 you want for that jail.”
Why it matters: A millage would increase property taxes for county residents and was a central concern for multiple speakers. Residents asked the board for a clear financing plan that does not default to raising taxes, citing both the county’s reported high fund balances and the board’s AA bond rating.
Speakers raised several recurring concerns: that contingency percentages in the budget were excessive; that administration and technology costs appeared to be growing staff and expenses; and that outsourcing prisoners to other counties — if a local jail is not funded or maintained — would increase long-term costs. One commenter referenced what they said were prior estimates for a new jail between roughly $36 million and $45 million while another referenced $20 million to $50 million figures; those figures appeared in public comment attributed to different speakers and were presented as estimates rather than formal board figures.
The board opened a formal public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget and allowed public comment; after the hearing the chair closed the hearing. The transcript does not record any final vote to adopt or amend the 2026 budget at this meeting.
What was asked of the board: Speakers urged commissioners to (1) provide a detailed fiscal plan for the jail that does not assume state funding, (2) consider restructuring administrative staffing to realize savings, and (3) publish clearer line-item information about ‘‘75-plus funds’’ and other reserves identified in the budget packet so the public can see what is available and why a millage would be required.
What the board recorded: The meeting record shows the public hearing opened and closed and that the hearing drew multiple speakers. No ordinance, resolution or appropriation was adopted or rejected on the floor with respect to the 2026 budget at this session; the transcript shows continued discussion and public comment but no adoption vote.
