Council publishes TRIM notices and outlines budget risks if state property‑tax reform passes

County Chief Financial Officer Ryan Osofsky presented a multi‑slide overview of the proposed FY 2026–27 budget, explaining why staff now publishes both gross and net budget figures and how the county’s revenue mix (with property taxes as the largest share) would influence future choices if statewide property‑tax reform passes.

Osofsky told the council the recommended net operating budget is about $1.064 billion and reiterated that adopting a TRIM rate is a notice requirement; the council may lower the rate before adoption in September but cannot increase it after notices mail. He highlighted that property‑tax revenues are projected to cover a substantive share of public safety and that certain capital items were reduced to meet forecast targets.

Council members pressed staff on the effect of community redevelopment area (CRA) calculations, the treatment of reserves, and what protections — if any — would exist for fire and law enforcement budgets under possible state action. Osofsky said the current constitutional amendment draft does not contain the “hold‑harmless” language previously proposed for fire and law enforcement.

The council voted to publish the recommended TRIM rates for mailing and set the first budget hearing for Sept. 3 and the second for Sept. 22. The vote to publish the rates passed 6–1. Councilmembers and staff emphasized the need to examine discretionary cuts and reserves now to avoid a single large reduction next year if voters approve state changes.