Washington County commissioners praise low tax burden, outline budget-transparency steps

Commissioner Almquist said Washington County ranks near the bottom in taxes and fees per resident and emphasized fiscal restraint as central to county policy. "We're at $11," he said, describing the county's measure of taxes per $1,000 of resident income, and added that the county has made its final payment on its general obligation bond, calling the county effectively debt free aside from revenue-producing debt.

Almquist said the county posts budgets and audits online and that Clerk Auditor Ryan Sullivan is assembling a new 'budget book' to show residents exactly where money is spent and prior prioritizations. "You may come in and say, hey, we think this is misspent, and he can answer those questions," Almquist said. Commissioners said they vote publicly on budgeted items of $10,000 or more as part of the effort to increase transparency. The presentation included a pledge to continue improving online reporting and use of new accounting software to enable searchable spending reports.