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Commissioners review FY2026'027 budget assumptions; staff flag $6M projected surplus and trade-offs for raises and health costs
Summary
Finance staff briefed the court on revenue projections using certified appraisal values, a potential surplus just over $6 million under current assumptions, and trade-offs involved in across-the-board raises (3—%) and a proposed health-insurance contribution increase to $10,000 per employee (estimated $604,000 from the general fund). More detailed historical comparisons were requested before adoption.
County finance staff presented updated revenue projections for FY2026'027, incorporating certified appraisal-district values received the prior week. Staff reported revenues-to-expenditures under the current tax rate show a potential excess of just over $6 million, but noted several variables remain open such as bridge-system transfers and the county's self-funded health-insurance costs.
"We have, what the difference is, I have included the certified values. We received the certified values from the appraisal district last week," the finance presenter said, and walked through scenarios for salary adjustments (3%, 4%, 5% across-the-board) and a supplemental 5% for law enforcement in addition to a general 5% proposal. Staff explained increasing the county contribution to employee health insurance from $9,550 to $10,000 would cost the general fund about $604,000. Commissioners requested historical data showing what the court has done in the past three years for comparatives, and asked staff to provide retiree cost-of-living information.
No budget adoption occurred at the meeting; staff said they expect to finalize proposed numbers and bring recommendations back next week with detail on transfers, insurance costs and the impact of different raise scenarios.
