Warrick County reviews 2027 draft budget showing 6.85% increase, flags equipment and staffing needs

Warrick County’s controller presented a draft 2027 budget that, in the current version, shows a 6.85% overall increase amounting to $213,981. Staff flagged several line items driving the increase, including a contractual bump tied to a planned accounting-software migration, estimated motorized-equipment lease costs, and modest increases to shop supplies and insurance.

Reagan noted a spreadsheet formula issue that produced a roughly $1,700 discrepancy in benefits calculations and said she would correct it before the next meeting. She also said the BOR operator position would receive a larger-than-average raise (the controller cited an increase from about $1,965 to approximately $2,145) because the operator had taken on additional responsibilities running the new baler in staff absences.

Motorized equipment rose by about $142,000 in the draft to account for possible leases on a loader or new truck; Reagan said final lease quotes were pending and the line item is set at a conservative high estimate until bids arrive. Board members asked about debt reporting and arbitrage compliance; Reagan said she files required debt-management reports annually and noted the county has two bonds tied to refinancing and automation work from recent years.

Board discussion also covered operational constraints: pending power upgrades at the processing center, contamination rates that jumped to about 7.55% in April and staffing shortfalls that will limit throughput until power and equipment issues are resolved. The controller and operations staff said they will return with corrected budget figures and additional vendor quotes ahead of final adoption.