HILLSDALE, Mich. — The Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners adopted its 2026 general fund and special revenue budgets on Dec. 23, approving amendments intended to cover newly negotiated wages and targeted needs across county departments.

The board voted to adopt Resolution 25‑175, the county’s 2026 general fund appropriation, as amended. Commissioners also approved companion special‑fund appropriations and line‑item transfers that together reflect a series of targeted adjustments the board made during extended budget discussion.

Finance Director Derek (first name in transcript), who presented the proposed budgets and the recommended amendments, told commissioners the package reflects revenue adjustments (including higher‑than‑anticipated returns for several sources) and necessary expenditure changes driven largely by recent collective bargaining settlements and department‑level needs. “These are worked through by the finance director,” he said while outlining the items and answering questions about timing and source of revenues.

Key changes the board approved included a transfer to support a shared IT position for the 9‑1‑1 center, an amendment to reimburse the general fund from a jail‑reimbursement special revenue account, and targeted increases to sheriff’s office and jail budgets tied to a recently negotiated labor agreement. The board also approved smaller amendments across building and grounds, register of deeds, and other department lines to reflect verified 2025 activity and carryovers.

Commissioners discussed the timing of marijuana excise and other state distributions that affect early 2026 revenue flows and emphasized conservative assumptions when budgeting for those receipts. The board also removed a medical care facility debt millage line that is paid off and therefore will not be levied in 2026.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution 25‑174 (2025 general fund revenue/expenditure amendments): Passed 5–0 on roll call. (Commissioners Collins, Wiley, Benzick, Langer and Ingalls recorded yes votes.)
- Resolution 25‑175 (2026 general fund appropriation), as amended: Passed on roll call (unanimous 5–0 after amendments and multiple line‑item votes).
- Companion special‑fund appropriations (Resolution 25‑176 as amended): Passed 5–0.

Why it matters
The adopted budget sets staffing and operational priorities for 2026 and incorporates increases tied to negotiated wage changes, which the board said are necessary to retain certain positions and avoid costlier vendor alternatives. The budget also funds planned county projects such as IT upgrades tied to public‑safety communications.

What happens next
Officials said they will follow up with written contracts and implementation details for the 9‑1‑1/IT arrangement and bring back any needed memorandum of understanding to ensure special‑revenue funds are used in compliance with statutory restrictions. The board adjourned for a short recess and will convene its organizational meeting on Jan. 2, 2026.