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Gates County adopts $18.06 million FY2026–27 budget, holds tax rate at 67¢
Summary
The Gates County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a $18,063,428 general fund budget for FY2026–27, kept the tax rate at 67¢, approved a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for staff and added one new election specialist position; commissioners also budgeted for Buckland Elementary post‑closure and added capital funds for security upgrades.
The Gates County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the county's fiscal year 2026–27 budget on a motion to set the tax rate at 67 cents per $100 of assessed value and approve a revised general fund of $18,063,428.
County Manager Scott Sauer summarized the revisions the board made since the May 20 presentation, saying, "The general fund budget as it stands, revised this evening, is $18,063,428." He told commissioners total operating funds across all funds are about $24,000,006.98 and that the governing body decided to keep the tax rate unchanged at 67¢ rather than pursue a previously considered 3¢ increase.
The ordinance includes a 3% cost‑of‑living increase for all staff effective July 1 and a staffing change that adds one full‑time election specialist (partially offset by reducing two part‑time elections positions). The budget also recognizes several one‑time items tied to the recent closure of Buckland Elementary: $80,000 is budgeted to cover post‑closure expenses (utilities, minor maintenance and security), the board has appropriated $100,000 this fiscal year to help the Board of Education with transition costs, and a $225,000 relocation contingency line remains available.
On capital spending, Sauer said the county added approximately $178,000 for an electronic key‑fob access system to enhance security at county buildings; that item is included in a total capital outlay figure of $319,000. The revised capital outlay line item was reported as $200,000, up $100,000 from the original proposal.
Commissioners discussed but deferred one‑time bonuses for some school and county staff; Sauer said those payments were not included in the July 1 budget and would be considered later. The board voted without opposition to adopt the budget and proceed with the fiscal plan.
Next steps: the adopted ordinance sets the tax rate and allocations for the coming fiscal year; salary adjustments noted in the ordinance take effect July 1 and project managers were directed to move forward with planned capital procurements and the election‑office staffing change.
