County manager presents FY2027 budget built on 7.5261 millage; board approves bond payoffs, fire assessment increase and several staffing moves

Jefferson County's County Manager presented a tentative FY2027 budget Wednesday, asking the Board of County Commissioners to set a maximum millage rate of 7.5261 for advertisement, approve several debt payoffs from reserves and provide direction on nonprofit and special-assessment funding.

The manager told commissioners that constitutional officer budgets total "a little over $10,000,000" and that the tentative budget was built on a 7.5261 millage rate, compared with a calculated rollback of 7.3673. He said keeping the proposed rate rather than rolling back would add roughly $180,000 to the county's revenue baseline used for budgeting. "Every dollar allocated in this budget has been scrutinized to ensure maximum value for our taxpayers," the manager said during the presentation.

Why it matters: the board's decision to set a maximum millage today only allows advertisement of the rate; the commission may lower the rate at upcoming public hearings but cannot raise it above the advertised maximum. The budget also includes recommendations intended to reduce recurring general-fund transfers, such as paying off existing debt.

Major proposals and board actions

- Debt payoffs: the manager recommended using Transportation Trust Fund reserves to pay off a 2012 road bond with an outstanding principal of about $1.8 million (annual payment ~$293,000; maturity 2030). Commissioners supported the plan, which the board approved by voice vote; the manager said paying the bond would free up roughly $300,000 previously transferred from the general fund. The manager also proposed paying off a sheriff's-office solar-panel lease (presentation figures ranged from $99,005.35 to $99,530); the board approved that payoff as well.

- Fire assessment: the board approved building the budget on a 10% increase to the fire-protection special assessment for preparation and advertisement purposes. The manager said the change would raise the household annual assessment by about $19.80 and make fire services self-sustaining, reducing future general-fund support.

- Millage and hearings calendar: commissioners and staff discussed hearing dates and the manager said he would confirm the tentative and final budget hearing dates with the property-appraiser's office; the board instructed staff to verify dates for public notice and returned consensus to proceed with the advertised maximum millage while preparing a rollback-resolution option for September.

- Personnel proposals: the manager proposed a 2% cost-of-living adjustment effective Oct. 1 and a performance-based merit program (0'03% on anniversary dates), estimating the 2% COLA would cost roughly $133,000. He described the merit program as a way to reward stronger performers without guaranteeing the full amount for every employee.

- Staffing and reclassifications: the manager proposed repurposing an unfilled permit-tech FTE into two part-time positions (a veteran services officer and a kennel technician) using existing contract funds; he also asked the board for consensus to post a Finance & Grants director job (budgeted near $85,000) to bring grant-seeking and reimbursements in-house. The board approved background hiring steps, including posting and vacancy confirmations.

- IT, CIP and capital planning: staff proposed internalizing IT services (to replace a $150/hour external contractor) and starting a five-year capital-improvement plan and a capital-replacement fund (initial set-aside suggested at $250,000/year) to smooth future vehicle and equipment purchases and help qualify for grants.

Debate and concerns

Commissioners debated several items, including whether local nonprofit contributions should be paid before the outcome of the November referendum on property-tax changes. The manager had included roughly $69,500 in local contributions in the budget (Chamber $12,000; small-grant program $15,000; senior center $30,000; humane society $5,000; soil and water $2,500; 4-H $5,000) and said checks could be held until after the vote if the board preferred.

Some commissioners pushed back on creating new taxing vehicles such as a municipal-service taxing unit (MSTU) or an EMS assessment as alternatives should state-level property-tax changes occur. One commissioner warned the proposals could be "smoke and mirrors," saying the county should first look for internal efficiencies before adding new tax mechanisms. The manager and county attorney framed MSTU and EMS assessments as optional procedural tools that would require subsequent board votes and separate public procedures before any levy took effect.

Public input and other items

During public comment, a community representative asked the board to approve a $30,000 grant for a Kings and Queens Fitness event to support youth participation and transportation; the manager advised coordinating with county staff and returning the request if funds remain. A resident raised concerns about animal-adoption implementation if the county adopted a $50 pet-adoption fee; she urged spay/neuter and follow-up requirements. Commissioners also heard constituent concerns about field maintenance at a county park and asked staff to follow up.

Votes at a glance (recorded during the meeting)

- Pay off 2012 road bond (use Transportation Trust Fund reserves): motion moved, board approved (voice vote). - Pay off sheriff's solar-panel lease from reserves (figures in presentation: $99,005.35 / later referenced $99,530): motion moved, board approved (voice vote). - Set maximum millage rate for advertisement at 7.5261 (budget preparation): board set rate for notice and directed staff to prepare a rollback option. - Fire-assessment budgeted increase (10% for study/advertisement purposes raising household charge ~ $19.80): board approved for budget preparation. - Authorize use of insurance funds and chair signature for Lamont Schoolhouse base repairs (approx. $30,000 base bid): motion moved and approved. - Reject all bids for the planning/building study and direct staff to perform needed work internally: board approved. - Appointment authorization for Solid Waste Director (Mr. Bussey) at the recommended starting salary ($68,000): board approved the hire authorization.

What the meeting did not do

The board did not adopt a final budget or set final millage rates. Several items (MSTU, EMS assessment, fee-schedule changes, personnel postings and specific hiring steps) will return in future agenda packets for formal action. The manager said the board will have two more opportunities (tentative and final hearings in September) to revise and approve the budget before adoption.

Context and next steps

The manager emphasized transparency and multiple follow-up presentations: staff will refine the millage/rollback options, bring back fee-schedule and grant-director proposals, post requested job openings consistent with hiring rules and return with public-notice dates after confirming the property-appraiser calendar. The board directed staff to hold nonprofit checks pending the November referendum outcome if necessary and asked for additional detail on how line items could be shifted between departmental budgets.

Representative quotes

"Every dollar allocated in this budget has been scrutinized to ensure maximum value for our taxpayers," the County Manager said.

A commissioner skeptical of new taxing options said, "It's smoke and mirrors really," warning the board to prioritize internal cuts and transparency before creating new assessments.

A resident speaking on animal-adoption policy urged a stronger standard: "I think that we should have a standard set where nothing goes out unless it's spayed or neutered," she said.

Ending

The commission left several policy options under study and approved a set of budget-preparation steps that will be revisited at the board's fall hearings and at other future agenda meetings. The manager said staff will confirm the hearing dates with the property appraiser and return the refined materials at the next regular meeting.