Ottawa County board previews $305.34M budget and five‑year capital plan

County staff presented a recommended fiscal year 2026 budget of $305,340,437 and an accompanying five‑year Capital Improvement Plan during a special meeting on Aug. 5.

Karen (staff member, budget/fiscal) told the Board that the document is “a fiscal year 26 to 30 plan, so it's a 5 year capital improvement plan.” She said the packet shows each project's title, funding source and current approved amount, and explained encumbrances and unencumbered balances. Karen also told the board the total recommended FY26 budget: “The total fiscal year '26 recommended budget is $305,340,437.”

The proposed CIP includes ongoing maintenance projects (HVAC, roofing), system upgrades (a countywide building automation system), facility renovations (treasurer's office, public health wing), and parks projects funded by a separate parks millage. Karen identified completed and recently procured projects including a county body‑camera and in‑car video rollout and a $1.8 million server replacement earlier this year.

Board members pressed staff on the new “implementation of a building strategic plan” line item, contingency funding, and how carryforward and encumbered amounts are handled in the packet. Karen said first‑year CIP projects would be incorporated into the FY26 budget and, if approved, project funding would be available Oct. 1. The board instructed staff to place the CIP on the planning commission agenda and left the public hearing on the calendar for Sept. 2.

The board moved and approved a resolution to set a public hearing on the FY26 budget for Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the time required for public notice. That hearing will be part of the series of budget steps leading to final board action in September.