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Klamath County budget committee approves $252.99 million FY 2026–27 budget and property tax rates
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Summary
The Klamath County Budget Committee on April 28, 2026, approved the fiscal year 2026–27 budget of $252,994,747 and approved related ad valorem tax rates, including a general fund rate of 1.7326 per $1,000 of assessed value and a museum rate of 0.1 per $1,000; a committee member declared a potential conflict over board salaries but voted anyway.
The Klamath County Budget Committee approved the fiscal year 2026–27 budget totaling $252,994,747 and authorized related ad valorem property tax rates during its April 28, 2026, meeting.
The committee's chair (S2) moved to approve the budget, noting that public hearings on the proposal were advertised and held April 27 and April 28, 2026, and that final adjustments were made pursuant to ORS 294.456(1). The chair said the approved budget is effective July 1, 2026, and proposed the total be adopted as presented: "I move that the budget committee hereby approve the budget for fiscal year 26, 27 now on file with the Klamath County Board of Commissioners in the sum of $252,994,747," (S2).
Committee members praised staff and department leadership for the budgeting process. One member thanked the finance department specifically for its support and several members commented that the process this year was "very smooth." (S4,S5).
Before voting, a committee member (S5) noted a recent ruling that board salaries appear in the budget and should be disclosed, prompting committee member S3 to declare a potential conflict. S3 said, "I declare potential conflict, but I am bound by law to pass a budget." That declaration did not stop the vote; the committee proceeded and the motion passed (vote tallies were not recorded verbatim in the transcript).
After approving the budget, the committee voted to impose the ad valorem taxes required to fund the adopted budget. The chair moved to approve imposition of taxes at a rate of 1.7326 per $1,000 of assessed value for the general fund and 0.1 per $1,000 for the museum fund. The chair cited estimated fiscal impacts for fiscal year 2026–27 of about $12,000,000 to the general fund, $336,880 to the veterans fund, and $660,000 to the museum fund. The committee moved, seconded and the motion passed; specific roll-call tallies are not recorded in the transcript.
The meeting concluded with participants expressing appreciation for staff and department heads. The committee adjourned at 03:07 as recorded in the transcript.
