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Board adopts FY25‑26 budget adjustments, increases reserves and directs revenue work
Summary
County staff presented updated FY25‑26 budget adjustments including increased property tax estimates, added one‑time fund‑balance uses, a higher road‑maintenance contribution and larger capital and IT designations. The board approved the recommended adjustments and directed staff to pursue revenue‑enhancement and contract renegotiations.
Emma Owens of the Chief Administrative Office presented revisions to the FY25‑26 budget on Aug. 26, telling the board that new data from the auditor and assessor increased projected secured property tax to about $127 million and identified $50.6 million in carry‑forward fund balance from the prior year.
“We prepare the budget in compliance with the County Budget Act; the board must adopt by Oct. 2,” Owens said, noting the recommended changes reflect closed financials, carryover projects, a refreshed capital designation and a recommendation to increase the county’s general‑fund contribution to road maintenance by $3,000,000 to match recent levels of investment.
Key changes include increments to the general fund contingency to meet the 3% policy target, adding to the capital designation so the county ends the year with an estimated $15 million in that reserve, creating a $2.5 million designation to help cover projected operating costs from the jail expansion, and a proposal to use part of the IT designation to smooth the countywide device refresh costs. Owens described most of the fund balance uses as one‑time and recommended limited ongoing commitments.
Public commenters — including union representatives — urged the board to prioritize rank‑and‑file employee pay, questioned salary compaction and asked the board to preserve positions that deliver front‑line services. Supervisors asked staff to pursue revenue‑enhancement avenues and to attempt renegotiation of an economic‑development contract to reduce ongoing outlays.
After discussion and minor direction to staff, the board moved, amended and approved the budget changes and instructed staff to return with a consent item formalizing the adopted budget and the related personnel and vehicle assignment changes.
