Property owner urges stronger budget transparency, citing administrator turnover

Linda Zilmer, a property owner in Edgewater, used the committee's public-comment period to press the Land, Water, and Forest Resources Committee for greater budget transparency and accountability ahead of the 2027 budget cycle. "I've made public comment at other committee meetings and the board meeting about having a turnover of 3 county administrators in 10 years," she said, arguing that frequent leadership changes have left supervisors insufficiently grounded in department operations and finances.

Zilmer asked the committee to request exhibits showing department headcounts, pay grades and pay amounts, the revenue sources that fund each department beyond property taxes, and the conditions attached to outside funding. She said those details would help both returning and new supervisors make informed decisions. The committee did not take immediate action in response to her request during the meeting; the request was recorded as part of public comment for consideration during upcoming budget deliberations.