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Committee reviews 2027 budget process, mandatory/discretionary program document and service‑level targets
Summary
Officials reviewed the mandatory/discretionary program document and fee schedule, reiterated the county board owns the budget, and emphasized three guiding questions (what to deliver, at what service level, and at what cost); staff highlighted a countywide average pavement quality target (PACER rating of 7) and previewed capital planning for a proposed highway shop.
Committee members and administration discussed 2027 budget development and the committee’s role in early program review. Administration told the committee that the packet contains a mandatory/discretionary program document and a comprehensive fee schedule intended to help supervisors decide what services the county should provide, at what service level, and at what cost.
“By statute, part of my job is to deliver the budget … but to be very clear … it’s the county board’s budget from the time we start it until the time it's adopted,” the administrator said, describing staff’s role to provide information and options. Staff asked supervisors to raise program‑level changes early so administrators can model them in the draft budget.
Staff highlighted that the county aims for an average pavement quality rating (PACER) of 7 across the highway system and noted that changing that service level — for example aiming for a 7.5 or 8 — would have staffing and material cost implications. The administrator also noted potential program expansions the board may consider in future budgets, such as a countywide community care paramedic program or enrolling the county forest in a carbon credit program, though neither was expected to be funded immediately.
Supervisors questioned trends in state transportation aids and whether past practices of adjusting budgeted aid estimates have produced a multi‑year downward cycle; staff said transportation aids have been relatively stable in real dollars over 15 years but have not kept pace with inflation. Staff offered a snapshot of general transportation aid figures and said the county would continue to review the capital budget and potential funding strategies for a proposed new highway facility.
The committee agreed to continue budget discussions at upcoming meetings as staff refines the mandatory/discretionary program document and the capital plan.
