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Union County adopts $559.2 million 2026 budget with 2% levy increase after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing and citizen questions, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the 2026 Union County executive budget of $559,192,647.06, citing a 2% levy increase driven largely by rising health and prescription costs and declines in federal funding.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the 2026 executive budget, which the fiscal chair described as $559,192,647.06 and structured to limit the property tax levy increase to 2%.
Commissioner Palmeri Mudette, the board’s fiscal chair, presented the budget and told the board: “Tonight, we adopt the Union County 2026 executive budget in the amount of $559,192,647.06,” noting the proposal reflects revenue projections, fixed costs and departmental needs amid reduced federal funding. She said the levy increase is driven largely by higher fixed costs, most notably “a 21% increase in health and prescription benefits.”
During the public hearing, resident Bruce Patterson raised detailed questions about budget line items including the health insurance waiver and cap bank, free‑cash surplus levels, capital improvement revenues, and several departmental appropriations. Patterson urged the commissioners to vote “no” on the cap‑bank resolution and questioned certain transfers and the size of the free‑cash surplus.
Finance Director B. B. Taylor responded to public questions, explaining that compensated balances are capped per statute and that the tax cap bank is a planning tool. Taylor said the county’s cap bank totals over $22,000,000 and described it as a flexible tool rather than immediate cash. Taylor also confirmed the budget includes an increase in health benefits exceeding $25,000,000 but said the county is seeking only a 2% total levy increase.
A motion to adopt a slate of resolutions that included the budget adoption resolution was moved by Commissioner Mirabella and seconded by Commissioner Lourdes Leon; the clerk conducted a roll call and recorded eight affirmative votes. The resolutions package passed.
The county emphasized that federal funding reductions (for example, SNAP) and rising health‑care costs drove budget pressures, and commissioners pledged continued review of departmental operations and follow‑up on resident concerns raised during the hearing. The board did not amend the budget at tonight’s meeting.
