Committee approves 2025 budget amendments and hears preliminary 2026 levy estimates; final numbers to be finalized in October

Finance staff presented three 2025 budget amendments and transfers: an amendment tied to the previously approved HHS APS ARPA grant, a library carryover request with ongoing policy questions about carryover and surplus treatment, and an estimated $50,000 transfer to cover sick-leave conversion liabilities. Committee members discussed the need for a clear surplus/deficit policy to avoid penalizing fiscally responsible departments and emphasized careful wording of any future policy.

The finance director also reviewed preliminary Department of Revenue figures and net new construction estimates and said the department has prepared draft levy numbers that will be finalized in September and early October. He noted bridge-aid levy would remain at $110,000 and that EMS levy and debt-service projections are still being refined. The director said the county board will receive the budget in early October and that the committee will have further budget hearings before final adoption.

Committee members asked for further clarification and staff said more refined levy and tax-rate details will be provided at the next meetings; several numeric items in the transcript were read unclearly and staff will publish the finalized figures with the October materials.