Auditor outlines modest budget changes, homestead refile workload

Heather White presented her office budget and said the request is largely status quo with small, targeted adjustments. "This is my, I think, 6th budget that I have submitted," she told the commissioners, and said she raised the SRI postage line to cover added notices for tax sales.

White described an unexpected administrative burden created by state changes to deduction rules: staff must refile many disabled‑veteran deductions, requiring temporary help. She said some equipment upgrades were paid from an "auditor ineligibility" fund created from recovered improper homestead claims, and that the office has found the new payroll/timekeeping and fiscal software reduced paper and staffing needs but left pockets of work that must be covered temporarily. White noted flexibility in allowing staff to work from home for emergencies and occasional coverage needs.

Commissioners asked for clarifications about particular fund codes and how repurposed election iPads might be used for meeting packets to reduce future equipment purchases. White said she is exploring repurposing older iPads and buying docking stations rather than replacing several desktops next year. The presentation closed with a reminder that the office will continue an in‑depth homestead audit through an outside vendor to protect the tax base ahead of larger statutory changes next year.