County staff outline conservative FY27 budget approach and new strategic pillars including a criminal justice initiative

County Administrator Candice Putay and Budget Officer Scott Wittland briefed the court on the FY27 budget process, saying departments were asked to submit conservative budgets given limited revenue projections. Wittland said five-month reserves are in place and that department priorities repeatedly included salary increases, equipment (notably for law enforcement and roads), and careful consideration of new positions that either bring grant funding or save money longer term.

Deputy County Administrator Tucker Furlough described the county's strategic-plan pillars—partnerships and collaboration; community well-being; infrastructure and sustainable growth; governance, workforce and organizational capacity—and introduced a fifth initiative focused on coordinated criminal-justice system planning, information sharing and technology. "A system where information will flow appropriately and efficiently," Furlough said, describing goals to reduce jail pressures and case-processing delays while respecting constitutional protections.

Commissioners discussed priorities including funding for fire marshal, parks staffing tied to new facilities, and potential impacts of an expected collective-bargaining adjustment for law enforcement. Staff said salary-study results and details on CBA costs would return to the court for decisions later in the budget process.