At the Nov. 7 meeting the board of commissioners discussed the implications of a defeated quarter‑percent income tax and announced a series of budget discussions with elected officials and department heads to reduce spending and prioritize core services.

One commissioner characterized the election outcome as a mandate for the county to ‘‘live within your means,’’ and said the board will pursue a reduced budget, noting that $25 million of the county’s $86 million budget is derived from property tax. Commissioners warned that service reductions and staffing cuts may be necessary if revenue is not replaced.

Separately, the board approved a preconstruction services agreement with Granger Construction Co. for $113,740 to provide cost estimating, value engineering and scheduling for a planned correctional facility. County staff said prior boards set aside $20 million to fund preparatory work and that being ‘‘shovel ready’’ increases the countys chances of securing state or federal funds for construction.

Commissioners debated potential financing approaches — bonding, seeking state/federal grants, or other revenue sources — and said the county will prepare designs and cost estimates before asking for construction funds. A county speaker noted prior efforts (the Balm Hart Road project) as an example of having plans in hand before requesting outside money.

Votes recorded at the meeting included approval of the Granger contract and multiple routine budget and administrative items. Commissioners said they will hold public budget discussions with elected officials and promised more information in the coming weeks.

Whats next: County staff will schedule budget discussions with elected officials and department heads over the next several weeks; preconstruction work on the correctional facility will proceed to produce estimates and designs to support future funding requests.