State budget pressure and property‑tax proposals top conversation as supervisors warn of tight year

A state official who joined the meeting briefed the board on the coming legislative session and the state's revenue outlook, saying the general revenue shortfall could be in the hundreds of millions and that appropriations staff will screen bills with fiscal impacts before they reach the floor. "Things are tight," the official said, and advised county staff to alert lawmakers when proposed measures might affect county certification or budgets.

Supervisors repeatedly raised the concern that state policy changes have, in the past, shifted costs to counties — a theme several speakers described as 'unfunded mandates.' Speaker 3 and others said that when the state reduces funding or changes eligibility, counties end up absorbing new costs for services residents rely on.

Board members discussed property‑tax reform proposals, noting competing bills (the governor and the speaker each pursuing separate plans) and uncertainty about what final language will look like. The board asked the state official to contact county staff when potential reforms arise that could affect budget certification timing. The official agreed to keep the board informed and to coordinate with county fiscal staff on timing and possible impacts.

Supervisors also discussed potential local revenue options (seeking alternative revenue sources for school funding, severance/excise models for wind/solar repowering) and the possible role of regional cooperation or targeted levies, while acknowledging the political and technical complexity of such changes.

The board left the session with an understanding that the state session's fiscal constraints will shape local budgeting, and they requested that the visiting official notify the county when bills with potential impacts are scheduled.