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Commission sets preliminary 2027 levy; commissioners choose $5.5M general fund target
Summary
After a detailed presentation of preliminary 2027 budget proposals and discussion of jail special fund pressures (SwimC requested an $837,285 supplemental contribution), commissioners voted to set the preliminary general fund levy at $5,500,000 and scheduled the public budget hearing for Sept. 15.
Finance Director Karen presented an updated preliminary budget for tax year 2026 (2027 fiscal year) and walked commissioners through key changes, caps and timing. Staff noted the overall proposed total appears lower because airport funds were moved into a special project fund in 2025; once those transfers are adjusted, the 2027 proposed spending is higher than 2026 by roughly $750,000.
Karen said the jail capital/special fund is under pressure: midway through the year prisoner costs were about $1,026,000 and projections could reach $2.1M, while the jail operator (SwimC) requested an additional contribution of $837,285 beyond normal border prisoner expenses. Commissioners discussed prisoner counts, changes in regional incarceration practices, and the impact on the jail budget and county reserves.
After discussion, the commission moved to set the preliminary general fund levy at $5,500,000 to send the preliminary numbers out on the statutory schedule; commissioners recorded the roll‑call vote in favor. Karen said the county will hold an open budget hearing Sept. 15 and finalize budgets before the statutory deadline in October.
