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Portage County outlines $2.7 million FY2026 gap and tools to close it
Summary
County administration told commissioners the FY2026 permanent budget shows a roughly $2.7 million deficit before adding a possible $900,000 HVAC need; staff proposed increasing certified sales-tax revenue by $1 million, adjusting interest income estimates, two health-benefit holidays and small nonpersonnel cuts as options.
County administration presented options to close a projected FY2026 budget shortfall.
The presenter said the expense budget totals about $77,400,000 while certified resources total about $74,700,000, producing a roughly $2.7 million deficit. The capital need for courthouse HVAC replacement could add an estimated $900,000 to that gap. To close the shortfall, staff proposed a mix of revenue and expenditure moves: increase certified sales-tax receipts by $1,000,000, revise projected interest income upward (the treasurer and investment manager discussed expected interest between $6 million and $7 million), take two health-benefit holidays (each saving about $300,000), and implement a 1% reduction in departmental nonpersonnel budgets to free funds for step increases.
Commissioners expressed caution about increasing revenue certifications because doing so uses one-time carryover and could worsen future-year deficits if not paired with recurring savings. Staff also recommended reviewing long-standing vacancies (not budgeting for positions vacant more than six months) and correcting payroll charges so grant-funded positions are recorded in grant lines rather than the general fund. Jackie said she would pursue talks with judges, the treasurer, the clerk of courts and department heads and return with recommendations; the board targeted mid-March for final action on the permanent FY2026 budget.
Next steps: staff will contact the budget commission and relevant departments, refine projections and present a recap to the board ahead of the mid-March approval target.
