The St. Louis County Board adopted its 2026 operating budget at the board’s final meeting of 2025, voting 6–1 to approve a package administrators said totals roughly $565 million and relies on a preliminary 12.4% property tax levy.

The budget drew extended debate from commissioners during a multi-hour discussion before the vote. Administrator Kevin Gray and Deputy Director Graber framed the spending plan around four priorities—public health and safety, infrastructure, natural‑resource management and community growth—saying the proposal balances current obligations with investments intended to reduce long‑term costs.

Why it mattered: Supporters said the levy supports about 1,900 county employees, preserves services that serve vulnerable residents and protects the county’s double‑A bond rating. Dissenters objected to specific allocations, including a proposed scholarship endowment and the way opioid‑settlement funds are being spent.

Commissioner Boyle, a long‑time budget steward who moved the adoption, framed the vote as a difficult but necessary choice: “This is my twelfth budget cycle,” he said, arguing the county must protect its workforce and core services amid rising costs. Commissioner Gibb, who announced she would vote no, said her opposition was not directed at staff, but at policy choices: “There’s been a push … to put $2 to $5 million in an endowment to pay for scholarships,” she said, and questioned whether that allocation should be set aside now rather than used for high‑priority services such as opioid treatment and childcare.

On opioid funds, the board has already allocated roughly $4.8 million and staff reported an updated estimated settlement total of about $21.2 million. Dissenting commissioners argued for a more open application process to expand treatment programs, while others said existing commitments include expanded criminal‑justice and recovery supports such as SUBLOCADE injections and reentry officers.

The process and vote: The budget motion was moved by Commissioner Boyle and seconded by Commissioner Yugovich; Auditor Nielsen described staff work and fiscal detail prior to the roll call. The board recorded the adoption by roll call as 6–1.

What’s next: Administration will finalize budget documents and implement the spending plan in calendar year 2026. Commissioners signaled they will continue to press staff and each other on the scholarship and opioid‑settlement questions as programs are implemented.