Clackamas County and its districts adopt FY 2026–27 budgets; county sets tax rates

The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners adopted the county’s fiscal year 2026–27 budget on June 17, approving appropriations of $1,401,336,042 and a total county budget of $1,528,305,199, which includes $198,116,517 in general‑fund support.

Finance Director Elizabeth Comfort told the board the budget committee reviewed the county budget May 26–28 and that public input was received; she recommended adoption "as shown on page 2 of the staff report." After a brief period for questions and no public commenters, Commissioner Paul Savas moved to adopt the budget and the board approved the motion 5–0.

Why it matters: the adopted county budget sets tax rates and spending priorities for county services for the coming year and funds core operations across departments. County Administrator Gary Smith told commissioners he and staff worked for months to develop the plan and thanked Comfort and budget team members for their work; Smith also noted Comfort will retire next week after seven years as finance director.

In addition to the county budget, the board adopted fiscal year 2026–27 budgets for several special districts and partner agencies during the meeting:

- Housing Authority of Clackamas County: adopted total budget $99,788,283, funded by HUD, state and local sources; no county general funds involved. Elizabeth Comfort said the budget committee reviewed the proposal and recommended approval; motion passed 5–0.

- Service District No. 5 (street lighting): appropriations $3,698,836 and total budget $5,021,596, funded by assessments within the district; motion passed 5–0.

- Development Agency: appropriations $31,610,346 and total budget $41,817,743, funded by beginning fund balance and tax increment financing; motion passed 5–0.

- Extension and 4‑H Service District: total budget $20,635,970 with a tax rate of 0.05 per $1,000 assessed value; motion passed 5–0.

- Library Service District: total budget $27,213,851 with a tax rate of 0.3974 per $1,000 assessed value; the board approved the resolution 5–0. Commissioner remarks noted that some local libraries face financial constraints and that county staff are engaging city partners to seek more stable baseline service across the county.

- Water Environment Services (WES): appropriations $169,426,538 and total WES budget $225,119,961, funded by ratepayer funds and system development charges (see separate coverage of WES rate actions).

Votes at a glance (key motions and outcomes)

- Adopt County FY 2026–27 budget (approps $1,401,336,042; total $1,528,305,199): Moved by Commissioner Savas; seconded by Commissioner Helm; vote 5–0 (Schrader Aye, Helm Aye, West Aye, Savas Aye, Chair Roberts Aye).

- Housing Authority FY 2026–27 budget ($99,788,283): Moved by Commissioner Savas; seconded by Commissioner West; vote 5–0.

- Service District No. 5 budget ($5,021,596): Moved by Director Schroeder; seconded by Director Helm; vote 5–0.

- Development Agency budget ($41,817,743): Moved by Director Helm; seconded by Director Schroeder; vote 5–0.

- Extension & 4‑H budget ($20,635,970): Moved by Director West; seconded by Commissioner Helm; vote 5–0.

- Library Service District budget ($27,213,851): Moved by Commissioner Savas; seconded by Director Schroeder; vote 5–0.

The meeting also included consent agenda approvals for contracts and grants covering transit, shelter and supportive housing services, and other county programs; staff identified funding sources for each item and noted when county general funds were not involved.

What’s next: Finance Director Elizabeth Comfort will retire next week; the county will hold a retirement event. The adopted budgets and fee changes take effect as specified in the staff reports and resolutions.