Budget Committee approves $188.97 million FY2026-27 budget; approves deputies, DA raises and animal shelter staffing

The Josephine County Budget Committee on June 4 approved the countyproposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget of $188,965,500, as amended, and authorized a full-time equivalent level not to exceed 425.08 FTE.

The committee voted on and recorded roll-call votes for a series of staffing and expenditure changes. Dorothy Yetter moved to approve the Elected Officials Compensation Committee recommendation, which included a 5% increase to the sheriffs salary and a $12,000 increase to the District Attorneys salary; the motion was seconded by Colene Martin and carried 6-0. Several personnel and expenditure amendments followed:

- Facilities Program: Ron Smith moved to remove 3.00 FTE and reduce authorized expenditures by $219,000 in the County Building and Fleet Fund; motion seconded by Dorothy Yetter and carried 6-0. - Treasurers Office remodel and furniture: Gary Richardson moved to increase authorized expenditures by $60,000 in the General Fund and $60,000 in the Equipment Reserve Fund; motion seconded by Ron Smith and passed 5-1. - Surveyor Senior Department Specialist: Chair Gary Richardson moved to add 0.45 FTE (General Fund) and 0.15 FTE (Public Land Corner Preservation Fund) with associated expenditures; seconded by Ron Smith and carried 5-1. - Front desk support (0.75 FTE): Chair Richardson called for a motion; none was made and no action was taken. - Ordinance Administrator (0.50 FTE): No motion was made and no action was taken. - Information Technology Development Analyst (1.00 FTE): Motion by Gary Richardson failed on a 2-4 roll call. - Legal Secretary (0.50 FTE, part-time): Motion by Colene Martin failed 2-4. - Patrol Deputy positions: Dorothy Yetter moved to add 8.00 FTE and increase authorized expenditures by $2,203,200 in the Law Enforcement Fund; motion seconded by Colene Martin and carried 4-2. - Detective positions: Ron Smith moved to add 2.00 FTE and increase authorized expenditures by $592,200; motion seconded by Dorothy Yetter and carried 5-1. - General Fund transfer to Law Enforcement: Ron Smith moved to increase authorized interfund transfers by $2,795,400 to support Law Enforcement; seconded by Dorothy Yetter and carried 5-1. - Half-time Medical Examiner: Ron Smith moved to add 0.50 FTE and increase expenditures by $68,500 in the Law Enforcement Fund and the corresponding General Fund interfund transfer; seconded by Dorothy Yetter and carried 6-0. - Deputy District Attorney salary adjustment: Ron Smith moved to increase authorized expenditures by $175,200 for a 10% salary increase for nine Deputy District Attorney positions; motion seconded by Dorothy Yetter and carried 6-0. - WIC Certifier (1.00 FTE): Chair Richardson entertained a motion; no motion was made and no action was taken. - Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator (1.00 FTE): Ron Smith moved to add the position and associated General Fund support; motion seconded by Dorothy Yetter and carried 5-1. - Animal Shelter levy positions: Ron Smith moved to add 3.95 FTE and increase authorized expenditures by $561,000 in the Animal Shelter and Control Fund funded by levy proceeds; motion seconded by Dorothy Yetter and carried 6-0.

After the amendments were approved, the committee set property tax levies. Ron Smith moved to set the countywide property tax levy at $0.5867 per $1,000 of assessed value for General Government Operations; set a local option levy of $0.16 per $1,000 for Animal Shelter and Control; and set a local option levy of $0.93 per $1,000 for Adult Jail and Juvenile Detention Operations; the motion carried 6-0.

The committee also delegated approval of the Budget Committee minutes to the Board of County Commissioners by unanimous vote and adjourned at 2:24 p.m.

Votes at a glance (selected motions): - Elected Officials compensation (5% sheriff; $12,000 DA): carried 6-0 - Facilities FTE removal ($219,000 savings): carried 6-0 - Treasurer remodel ($120,000 total across funds): carried 5-1 - IT Development Analyst: failed 2-4 - Patrol Deputy positions (8.00 FTE): carried 4-2 - Detective positions (2.00 FTE): carried 5-1 - General Fund transfer to Law Enforcement ($2,795,400): carried 5-1 - Half-time Medical Examiner (0.50 FTE): carried 6-0 - Deputy DA salary increase (10% for nine positions): carried 6-0 - PHEP Coordinator (1.00 FTE): carried 5-1 - Animal Shelter levy positions (3.95 FTE): carried 6-0 - FY2026-27 budget (total $188,965,500; up to 425.08 FTE): carried 5-1

All roll-call tallies above were recorded during the committee session and are reported as stated in the meeting transcript.