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Union County adopts $559.2 million 2026 budget after public hearing
Summary
The Union County Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted a $559,192,647.06 2026 executive budget after a public hearing during which residents questioned the use of the county’s cap bank, surplus funds and spending on capital projects. Finance staff defended the budget and explained statutory limits and permit constraints for certain projects.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the county’s 2026 executive budget of $559,192,647.06 following a public hearing that drew detailed questions about insurance costs, the county’s “cap bank” and use of surplus funds.
Commissioner Palmeri Mudette, the board’s fiscal chair, presented the budget and said it reflects “careful planning, during a time of significant fiscal pressure,” specifically noting a 21% increase in health and prescription benefits and reductions in federal funding for programs such as SNAP. “Tonight, we adopt the Union County 2026 executive budget in the amount of $559,192,647.06,” Palmeri Mudette said, adding the board sought a 2% levy increase to stabilize county taxes.
Members of the public pressed the board for details. Bruce Patterson of Garwood urged commissioners to reject using the cap bank and questioned why the county retains a large free‑cash surplus. “Vote no on this year's cap bank,” Patterson said, citing what he called excessive reserves and raising specific line‑item questions about capital revenue and interagency payments.
Finance Director B.B. Taylor responded to commenters’ concerns, explaining that the cap bank is a financial planning tool authorized by state law and that the county has not needed to use it in nearly a decade. “That’s why we do have a cap bank of over $22,000,000. It is not real money,” Taylor said, and she noted that certain compensated balance payouts to retirees are statutorily capped.
The public hearing also covered numerous budget line items, including a multi‑million‑dollar anticipated increase in health benefits. Taylor told the board and public the budget accommodates the increases while maintaining statutory obligations and investments in county infrastructure.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance 866-2026 (amendments to the administrative code on disorderly conduct and off‑duty employment of law enforcement): adopted, roll call 8–0. - Resolutions on the agenda, including the formal budget adoption resolution, were adopted by roll call 8–0.
What happens next The adopted budget, as approved by the Board of County Commissioners, will fund county operations for 2026. County staff said they will continue to provide line‑item explanations and follow up on specific public questions raised during the hearing.
