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Wasco County adopts $139 million FY2026–27 budget; tax rate set at $4.2523 per $1,000
Summary
Wasco County commissioners unanimously adopted a $139,019,298 fiscal year 2026–27 budget and fixed a permanent property tax rate of $4.2523 per $1,000 of assessed value. County officials said large one-time Strategic Investment Program funds from Google are being directed into dedicated project reserves and an endowment.
The Wasco County Board of Commissioners adopted a $139,019,298 budget for fiscal year 2026–27 and set a permanent property tax rate of $4.2523 per $1,000 of assessed value, the board voted unanimously on June 3.
Finance Director Mike Middleton told the board the proposed budget matches the spending plan the budget committee approved in May and that staff are not recommending any changes prior to adoption. "The new budget software gives the committee fresher data," Middleton said, adding the system produced some "information overload" this year that staff plan to streamline for future cycles.
Why it matters: the adopted budget sets county spending and reserves for the coming year, including $115,272,981 appropriated for current use and $23,746,317 reserved for future fiscal periods. The county also discussed how recent Strategic Investment Program (SIP) distributions tied to a local Google facility are being handled: Wasco County reported a total SIP distribution of $8.29 million, split into a Guaranteed Annual Payment of $5.7 million and a Community Service Fee of $2.59 million. Under the SIP terms the Guaranteed Annual Payment was split 50/50 with the city; the county’s share of the Community Service Fee will be distributed largely to impacted taxing districts and placed into the County Project Fund or a long-term endowment.
Public input and oversight: during the budget hearing, a member of the public asked about the Google payment; Assessor/Tax Collector Jill Amery said a detailed article is available and offered to provide it. Middleton also described department-level variances and one-time items, including a $2.4 million PERS side‑account transfer that affects presentation of personnel cost metrics.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 26-009 adopting the FY2026–27 Budget, Tax Levy and Appropriations passed unanimously. The board also approved the consent agenda and several other items during the session; a consolidated list of motions approved at the meeting appears below.
The board is scheduled to implement the adopted budget beginning July 1, and county staff said they will continue to provide public reporting on major project allocations and reserve usage.
