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Commission hears 2027 budget preview showing preliminary shortfall; staff to bring follow-ups
Summary
Auditor presented a preliminary 2027 budget showing an estimated shortfall and reviewed department requests and major drivers, including insurance increases, step raises, and proposed allocations to local organizations; several items were deferred for follow-up.
County auditor presented a preliminary budget comparison and told commissioners the draft shows a negative balance as departments submit their requests. As the auditor summarized the package, she said she was "showing we're a negative 1 56 7 0 5" (as read in the meeting transcript) and outlined transfers, revenue assumptions and the need to draw on surplus cash if not addressed.
Commissioners and department heads reviewed department-by-department allocations, discussed a proposed 3% across-the-board salary adjustment and specific increases (health insurance projected at 10%), and flagged items for later hearings: a potential contingency transfer for the mining museum request, opioid-settlement allocations (auditor had budgeted $100,000), a $100,000 multi-year senior center funding proposal, library and transit requests, and a major road/bridge project estimate (bridge project costs were discussed, with a figure mentioned during discussion). The board scheduled additional presentations (senior center, highway, sheriff) for the June 30 meeting and placed several items on the July 14 agenda for formal action.
Commissioners also discussed personnel-policy topics (longevity and personal leave) and asked staff to prepare draft resolutions if changes are to be considered before final budget adoption.
