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Livingston County Board adopts 2026 budget, cites Medicaid and pension cost pressures
Summary
After public hearings, the Livingston County Board of Supervisors adopted its 2026 budget, which the presenter said is roughly $219 million; supervisors recorded the adoption by roll call. County leaders highlighted Medicaid local share, rising pension costs and nursing‑home support as driving the need for modest tax increases and continued reserve use.
The Livingston County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt the county's fiscal year 2026 budget following two public hearings and a presentation from county staff. Ian Coyle, who presented the tentative budget, framed the plan as a balanced spending proposal that sustains services while responding to rising costs.
Coyle said the budget is ‘‘a large budget, $219,000,000 this year’’ and described key drivers: sales tax dependence, a local Medicaid share he stated at about $9.5 million, and higher retirement system charges (he referenced an approximately $11,000,000 pension account impact). He told supervisors that the tax levy and tax rate would rise modestly in the draft—he cited a levy increase of roughly 4.5% and a tax‑rate increase of about 3.7%—and recommended monitoring sales tax performance closely. ‘‘A budget's wrong the day you pass it. Okay?’’ Coyle said, underscoring the need for active monthly budget management.
Coyle also singled out the Livingston County Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation (CNR) as a separate enterprise fund near a $40 million operation that requires ongoing support. He said the county would receive federal help and described a combination of county and federal funding for the CNR; the transcript records his summary that the county will receive federal assistance totaling about $10.5 million to support nursing‑home operations.
Board members conducted the required public‑hearing procedures before the vote; the clerk read filings and notices related to the budget and other items. After the hearing the board moved to adopt the budget; the adoption was recorded by roll call and listed as adopted in the meeting record.
Why it matters: The adopted budget sets county spending and levy limits for the next fiscal year and responds to state and federal cost shifts that local governments say increase pressure on property taxpayers and county services. County leaders flagged Medicaid cost sharing, retirement charges and workforce/benefit commitments as long‑term budget pressures that will affect future rate and levy decisions.
What comes next: With adoption at this session, the budget and related appropriations are in effect for 2026; the board noted that regular oversight and monthly budget work will follow. The meeting later moved to an executive‑session motion on personnel matters; no further public action on the budget was recorded at the close of the transcript.
