Jackson County approves updated purchasing policy, schedules budget work sessions

Jackson County commissioners on Monday approved Resolution 2026-10, an update to the county purchasing policy, and directed department heads to appear for individual budget work sessions next Monday.

The vote on the updated purchasing policy was 3-0 after Commissioner Keith Kelly moved for approval and Commissioner Linda Gerhardt seconded. County Clerk Kristie Richter and Deputy Clerk Mary Theis presented a preliminary budget showing department line-item requests and three payroll scenarios: a $0.25 per hour increase, a $0.50 per hour increase, and merit adjustments only where departments have existing budget capacity. Richter estimated one mill would raise about $167,000 and cautioned against using capital outlay funds for salaries because those funds are non-renewable.

Commissioner Kelly said departments should be able to cover merit increases from within their budgets where possible. The Board requested reports on capital outlay transfers from the end of last year and asked Kristie Richter to schedule department heads for Monday afternoon budget reviews.

The purchasing policy approval and the scheduling of detailed budget sessions are the latest steps in preparing the county's 2027 fiscal plan. The Board did not adopt final budget rates at the meeting; staff will return with updated numbers and state valuations when available.