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Monroe County commissioners adopt $151.6 million 2026 budget; Parker votes no
Summary
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners adopted a $151,561,209 2026 budget and kept the county millage at 5.4773 mills. The budget passed 2-1, with Vice-Chairman David C. Parker dissenting, saying he could not support certain spending despite no tax increase.
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt the county's 2026 budget of $151,561,209 and left the county millage rate unchanged at 5.4773 mills during a special meeting on Dec. 17. Commissioner Sharon S. Laverdure and Chairman John D. Christy voted in favor; Vice-Chairman David C. Parker voted no.
Fiscal Director Jennifer Barclay told the board the budget includes a general fund of $87,000,000 and that the county millage would remain at 5.4773 mills, with 4.9177 mills for general purpose and 0.5596 mills for debt service. "The commissioners are prepared to adopt the 2026 Monroe County Budget in the amount of $151,561,209, including a general fund budget of $87,000,000," Barclay said. She also reported a net decrease of $116,132 to the general fund since the proposed budget and highlighted assorted line-item revisions.
During the public-comment portion and presentation, Chief Assessor Deborah Storman asked about a new longevity bonus; Barclay said she would explain that as part of the presentation. Anna Lopez asked questions about the correctional facility budget; Chairman Christy, Barclay and District Attorney Mancuso answered those questions.
The board carried motion M-2025-365 to adopt the 2026 county millage rates (4.9177 mills for general purpose; 0.5596 mills for debt service) and motion M-2025-366 to adopt the 2026 Eastern Monroe Public Library millage rate at 0.185914 mills. The board also carried motion M-2025-368 to adopt the 2026 Liquid Fuels Budget in the amount of $467,500.
On the main budget motion (M-2025-367) to adopt the $151,561,209 budget, Vice-Chairman David C. Parker said he could not support the measure. Parker said he opposed parts of the spending package and felt the county needed to rein in spending, and therefore announced he would vote no despite the budget not increasing the millage. The motion passed with Laverdure and Christy voting yes and Parker voting no.
The special meeting opened at 10:20 a.m. and was adjourned at 10:38 a.m.
