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Cole County auditor presents tighter 2026 budget; commission receives proposal
Summary
County Auditor Jay presented a proposed 2026 budget showing total revenues of about $64 million (down $2 million from 2025), projected expenses of roughly $93.8 million, falling reserves and health-insurance risks; commissioners voted to receive the proposal into the record.
County Auditor Jay presented the Cole County proposed 2026 budget and told commissioners on Thursday the county faces slightly lower revenues and reduced reserves.
Jay said total revenues for 2026 are projected at about $64 million, down from $66 million last year — a roughly $2 million (3%) decrease — and that sales tax receipts are projected just under $23 million based on Oct. 1, 2024–Sept. 30, 2025 actuals and assumed flat for 2026. He said property taxes are forecast at just under $7 million (an increase of about $520,000) and use taxes at roughly $4 million, up from $3.7 million.
The auditor outlined expenses projected at about $93.8 million for 2026, down from $99.5 million in 2025. He attributed the overall expense decline primarily to reduced capital outlays and lower grant expenditures, and noted the county’s beginning-cash…
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