Commissioners warn public safety, parks and recreation could be cut if property-tax amendment reduces revenue

Commissioners spent a large portion of the workshop mapping how reduced property-tax revenue could affect services. A county speaker cautioned that revenue uncertainty means the county may need to "throttle" services if the constitutional amendment passes and suggested staff would return with a specific plan if that occurs.

Board members repeatedly raised public-safety concerns. One commissioner said the county could face crews and equipment reductions: "You get any more than that, it's... you're down now to two shifts in the sheriff's department, two or three ambulances on the road, one fire truck is staffed," and warned those cuts would harm service levels. Commissioners discussed tradeoffs including cutting discretionary spending and amenities (parks, restroom maintenance and recreation programs), selling county properties to reduce footprint, or pursuing revenue-replacement tools such as fuel taxes or a municipal service taxing unit (MSBU/MSBU) for EMS.

Staff also recommended pausing the five-year operational growth plan for fire rescue and delaying three-year union contract negotiations until there is clarity on revenues. The clerk and staff noted that some service-support costs—such as emergency radio maintenance and insurance premiums—will rise this year; staff said FAC had advised an ~11% general liability premium increase.

Commissioners emphasized a preference for letting the math drive decisions rather than emotions and said they will work through additional workshops before making final cuts. The workshop ended with direction to prepare preliminary budget scenarios and to revisit service and staffing decisions at future meetings.