Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Cole County auditor presents 2026 budget; commission receives recommendation
Summary
County Auditor Jay presented a proposed 2026 budget projecting $64 million in revenues and $93.8 million in expenses, warned of shrinking reserves and a stressed law-enforcement sales-tax fund, and the commission voted to receive the auditor's recommendation into the record.
County Auditor Jay presented the county's proposed 2026 budget on the record and the Cole County Commission moved to receive the auditor's recommendation.
Jay said total revenues projected for 2026 are $64,000,000 compared with $66,000,000 the previous year, describing the $2,000,000 (3%) drop as a primary constraint on the coming year's spending. "Sales tax are projected just under $23,000,000," Jay said, noting those figures are based on actuals through Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025, and are assumed flat for 2026.
The auditor outlined major line items and drivers. Property taxes are projected just under $7,000,000 (an increase of roughly $520,000); use tax is projected at…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
