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County finance staff project $1.4 million boost to fund balance; 2026 budget reduces planned drawdown
Summary
County finance staff told commissioners that 2025 closed stronger than expected, with expenses about $800,000 under and revenues roughly $2,600,000 over projections, producing an estimated $1,400,000 increase to fund balance; the 2026 draft trims planned use of fund balance to $1,000,000 and aims to rebuild reserves toward a 17% target.
County finance staff reported that fiscal 2025 finished stronger than earlier estimates, and presented a draft 2026 budget that reduces the planned draw on reserves.
"Expenses are under for 2025 by about 800,000 and revenues are over by 2,600,000, so we should be adding about 1,400,000 to our fund balance," said Speaker 2, who briefed the board on materials set to go to the executive committee on Feb. 20. Staff also said they added $1,000,000 to the capital improvement fund balance during the year.
The draft 2026 budget discussed by staff reduces the previously discussed rate from about 6.32% to 4.95% and changes the planned use of fund balance. Speaker 2 described a subcommittee recommendation that had appeared large in earlier wording but clarified the working plan: the county will budget $1,000,000 in use of fund balance for 2026 while continuing steps to add to reserves.
Commissioners flagged the county's reserve target as a key metric. "I think the rating agencies will see that we're making a good-faith effort and continuing to work on getting up to the 17%," Speaker 1 said; Speaker 2 warned that failing to add to reserves could affect the county's credit rating.
No formal vote was taken on the budget at the meeting; staff said a version of these numbers will be presented to the executive committee on Feb. 20. The presentation included both projected year-end numbers and the subcommittee's adjustments to the 2026 draft.
