Monroe County adopts 2026 budget, holds millage steady at 5.4773 mills

Monroe County commissioners on Monday approved a $151,561,209 budget for 2026 and left the county-wide millage rate unchanged at 5.4773 mills.

The budget package, presented by a county staff presenter, keeps the general fund at about $89.2 million and applies most of tax revenue to general purposes while using the balance to meet debt-service obligations. "The county millage rate remains unchanged at 5.4773 mills," the presenter said during the budget overview.

Why it matters: The budget funds courts, corrections, children-and-youth services and other operations at levels that reflect both fixed costs and targeted capital spending. The package includes a new longevity-pay policy for nonunion employees that phases in bonuses over years of service and raises certain capital-equipment and computer-capital line items.

Key details from the presentation included a reduction of $6,240 in the computer-capital category (for two leased high-capacity copiers) and an increase of $72,600 in capital equipment. The county’s capital projects and capital reserve total remain listed at $8,752,623. Grant changes noted included a $5,728 increase in a mosquito-borne disease-control grant and adjustments in children-and-youth funding totaling $761,862 for 2026–27 needs.

During public comment and later discussion, a resident asked how the budget’s revenues are allocated and who pays for services. The presenter pointed the speaker to packet pages showing tax-supported amounts versus grant and other revenue sources and offered to review the material after the meeting.

Criminal-justice data and reentry efforts were raised during discussion. A county official described local coordination since 2022 on Crisis Intervention Team and reentry work and said comprehensive recidivism figures are still being compiled; the official estimated that a snapshot of the current jail population would show about 77–78% have been jailed previously.

Votes and outcomes: The board adopted the county millage breakdown (4.9177 mills for general purposes and 0.5596 mills for debt service) by voice vote. The Eastern Monroe Public Library millage was adopted at 0.185914 mills. The full 2026 budget passed after a motion and second; one commissioner said they would vote no, citing concerns about controlling spending despite the unchanged millage. The liquid fuels budget for 2026, $467,500, was also adopted. Meeting minutes reflect that motions were moved and seconded, and that the presiding officer declared the motions carried when the voice votes favored adoption.

What’s next: The commissioners adjourned following the votes. Staff said further discussions would continue on elements not included in the approved budget and offered to meet with members of the public seeking deeper budget breakdowns.