Nevada County releases draft FY 2026–27 budget; supervisors to review through June hearings

Erin Metler, Nevada County’s deputy county executive officer and chief fiscal officer, opened a two‑day budget workshop by laying out the county’s draft fiscal year 2026–27 picture and the public review schedule. The proposed budget shows roughly $437 million in revenue and about $466 million in planned expenditures, Metler said, and the Board will hold a public hearing on June 9 and consider final adoption June 23.

Metler framed the proposal around two priorities: fiscal stability and maintaining core services. She told supervisors the County Budget Act sets a common framework for all 58 California counties and explained how the county uses fund accounting and fund balance “as a savings account for larger projects and one‑time costs.” She also noted a $37.9 million general‑fund balance and a planned $5.7 million use of a special continuation fund in the draft.

The presentation next turned to revenue drivers. Metler explained the county’s property‑tax apportionment, noting the illustrative split she used: about 55% to schools, 20% to special districts, 14% to the county general fund and 11% to cities. She and staff showed an early estimate for FY26–27 in which state and federal intergovernmental funding comprises roughly half the proposed revenue mix.

Expenditure pressures highlighted include salary and benefit growth (salaries and benefits account for about 37% of budgeted expenditures), rising services and supplies, and planned capital projects such as behavioral‑health facilities and bridge work. Metler said the county is budgeting a one‑time discretionary 1% payroll payment toward pension obligations as part of a broader pension‑policy update the Board will consider.

Board members asked technical questions about cost‑plan allocations, how property‑tax buckets can be adjusted with affected taxing agencies, and the mechanics of using fund balance. Metler and county fiscal staff described how allocations are negotiated with external agencies and how vacancy savings and other adjustments factor into the general‑fund outlook.

Next procedural steps: Metler said the county will publish the draft budget on May 29, hold a public hearing June 9 and bring a final proposed budget to the Board for adoption June 23. No budget decisions were taken at the workshop; staff said the session’s purpose was to inform supervisors and solicit policy direction.

The county’s Chief Fiscal Officer said staff will continue to refine revenue forecasts and work with department directors to bring back updates to the Board as the document is finalized.