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Pierce County commissioners direct 10% cuts, cap mill increase as FY2026 budget proposals target EMS and recreation
Summary
Pierce County commissioners reviewed a proposed FY2026 budget that includes a 2-mill proposal (raising the millage to 11.397) and identified potential cuts including a 12-hour EMS mutual-aid truck and a roughly $500,000 recreation subsidy. The board instructed staff to cut 10% and agreed not to exceed a 2-mill increase.
Pierce County commissioners on Sept. 24 reviewed a proposed FY2026 budget that would raise the county millage by 2 mills to 11.397 and generate an estimated $1,430,000, but directed managers to find 10% in cuts and said they would not support more than a 2-mill increase.
Chairman Neal Bennett presented the draft budget, saying it reflects work he and County Manager Raphel Maddox prepared. Bennett said the proposal includes a 2-mill increase and listed large expense items: county payroll ($7,800,000), the Office of the Sheriff ($2,032,165), Public Works ($1,248,273), group insurance ($1,080,000), Recreation ($676,133) and EMS ($435,655). Bennett noted, “1 mill is worth $700,015.”
The board discussed several options to reduce costs. Bennett and Commissioner Randy Dixon flagged a 12-hour EMS truck used for mutual aid as a high-cost item; both estimated removing or not staffing that truck would change the budget by about $400,000 annually, including four additional positions, vehicle costs and insurance. Commissioner David Lowman proposed a staffing alternative: assigning an existing Pierce County EMT to the Public Safety Director position and covering weekday shifts with current employees rather than adding the 12-hour truck and new hires.
Recreation spending drew scrutiny after Commissioner Lowman said the department’s 2026 estimated cost was $780,000 and Bennett said the department is projected to generate $280,000 in revenue, leaving roughly $500,000 to be subsidized from general funds — about one-third of a mill. Lowman asked whether the county should limit recreation programs if they cannot be funded, while Dixon emphasized the community need for youth activities.
The board asked for direction on the overall tax increase. Lowman observed the current proposal could require a 5-mill increase to fully fund the draft as presented; Mattox, Lowman and Dixon told the chair they were not willing to exceed a 2-mill increase. Bennett instructed staff to trim the budget by 10% and seek other solutions.
County Manager Raphel Maddox, on speaker phone, framed the trade-off directly: “If the people want the services offered by Pierce County, then they must pay for it.” Maddox also warned that, if budget reductions do not close the gap, personnel could be affected.
No formal motions or votes were taken during the work session. Chairman Bennett adjourned the meeting at 1:45 p.m.
