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Jackson County administrators present amended 2026 budget; final vote set for next week
Summary
County Administrator Steven Arbo outlined a proposed amendment to the 2026 budget including a phased merit plan, higher pension contributions, $1.1 million in detention‑center equipment and 20 new detention positions; legislators pressed on a roughly $50 million gap between projected revenues and expenditures and on fund‑balance practices.
County Administrator Steven Arbo presented an amendment to Ordinance 6044 in a public hearing before the Jackson County Legislature on Dec. 8, saying the proposed all‑funds budget would total roughly $544,000,000 and incorporate several staffing and benefit changes for 2026.
Arbo, who identified himself to the legislature as the county administrator, said the amendment budgets a 1.5% merit rate distributed across 12 months with the intention of awarding a 3% merit increase effective July 1: "This budget includes a 1.5% merit pay, over the 12 month period ... It is our intention to provide a 3% merit increase". He told legislators the amendment reflects updated actuarial pension obligations (pension contributions rising from 12.57% to 14.28%) and a $1,100,000 equipment…
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