Commissioners sign resolution to amend permissive medical levy as staff works to correct cash shortfall

County staff presented an amended budget packet and a resolution (recorded in the minutes as resolution 2026003) to correct the permissive medical levy. The presentation noted monthly insurance costs (the packet shows $14,442.92 per month in one line) and a projection that increases could shift that monthly figure later in the fiscal year. Staff said a permissive medical fund is showing a negative carryover cash balance in the record (discussed on the record as approximately -$26,000), which prompted the proposed amendment.

Commissioners debated options: an immediate mill increase versus using one‑time proceeds (for example, sale proceeds from county property) to avoid a large tax rate spike. One commissioner proposed reducing the immediate levy increase and re‑evaluating in January when actual premium changes are known. After discussion, the board agreed to sign the amended resolution and to include the corrected levy figure in the budget packet for submission.

The board emphasized the need for clearer carryover cash accounting and asked staff to provide a simple cash‑basis reconciliation showing beginning cash, amounts mailed in taxes for the fund and actual cash outflows to the insurance trust so commissioners could track whether mills were set appropriately in prior years. The resolution was signed at the meeting and will be included in the budget packet for the next procedural step.