Hampshire County sets Aug. 11 hearing on HCSA fee ordinance after debate over reserves and levy

The Hampshire County Commission on June 23, 2026 voted to schedule a public hearing on Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. to consider a proposed Hampshire County Service Authority (HCSA) fee ordinance and directed HCSA staff to prepare a preliminary budget plan for a possible levy.

Commissioner Mance introduced the draft ordinance, saying it would automatically reduce the fee to zero if a levy passed, add a 3% annual escalator beginning next year and require monthly financial projections to the HCSA advisory board and quarterly reports to the commission. "If a deficit is forecasted then it provides for a requirement to come up with a mitigation plan to address that deficit as soon as it's flagged," he said.

Commissioner Eglinger opposed any immediate additional fee increases. "I won't vote for any kind of increase right now," he said, urging that the county instead hold a 20% reserve of projected revenues and operate within a demonstrable baseline for a year before considering hikes. Eglinger recalled recent fee history and a 2024 shortfall that he said warranted caution: "We need to show the community the baseline of what we can actually do with the money we currently have before I would want to move forward with any kind of increase."

Other commissioners and staff described the fiscal and operational context, including earlier service reductions and steps taken to mitigate an estimated shortfall in 2024. Commissioners debated trade-offs between maintaining service levels, staff capacity and payroll pressure, and the need for clearer forecasting tied to revenue scenarios. One commissioner summarized the tension succinctly: "We're talking about two things, one being potentially someone's life, the other being money," and urged both fiscal responsibility and transparency.

Rather than adopt a change immediately, the commission approved a motion to post the ordinance for public review and hold a hearing, and it directed the HCSA advisory team and staff to prepare budget scenarios for a levy so commissioners and the public can see concrete impacts. The motions passed by voice vote.

Next steps: HCSA staff will prepare the requested scenarios and the commission will hold the public hearing on Aug. 11 at 6 p.m.; commissioners said they expect to review alternative ordinance drafts (including one without a fee increase) and the levy budget before making a final decision.