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Board debates using cannabis tax to fund raises as members warn of cuts to COA, library
Summary
Board members discussed the county's cannabis tax receipts and fund balance and whether using that revenue for a pay increase would reduce distributions to the Council on Aging or library; staff explained the distribution formula and current fund balances.
Board members asked how cannabis tax receipts have been distributed and how using those funds for compensation would affect other services. A member said the county receives roughly $23,000–$25,000 per quarter in cannabis tax proceeds, which several participants discussed as about $120,000 per year. "We only keep 50,000 of that or 0.5 of that," a member said while discussing the split of receipts.
Staff reported the cannabis fund balance at about $177,000 and said roughly $20,000 of that is scheduled to be distributed to cities. The presenter explained the distribution mechanics: an initial $50,000 portion is retained by the county; the second half of receipts is split among jurisdictions by population, which reduces the county’s share relative to the overall receipts. Members warned that shifting money to cover compensation could mean cutting budgets for the Council on Aging or library or force other levies to change.
Board discussion highlighted both the practical money available for a modest increase and the political optics of taking a targeted revenue source to cover compensation. The presenter said he planned a conservative $140,000 transfer in planning to allow flexibility, and the board acknowledged the recommendation would go to commissioners for final decisions.
