Jones County approves temporary FY2027 operating resolution, adopts tentative millage for advertisement

The Jones County Board of Commissioners voted Aug. 18 to approve an operating resolution that carries forward the current county budget into the new fiscal year beginning Sept. 1 so county operations remain funded until the board formally adopts the FY2027 budget.

County staff member Mr. Resner told the board the temporary measure is necessary because the tax assessor board will finalize digest numbers this week and the earliest the full budget could be adopted is Sept. 3. "What I want to ask tonight is if the board would authorize us to advertise the roll back millage rate," he said, explaining the county must publish required notice before a final vote.

Commissioners moved and seconded the operating resolution and approved it without recorded roll-call tallies. The board also moved, seconded and approved adopting the tentative millage (the roll-back rate) for advertising purposes; Mr. Resner emphasized the advertised rate is a procedural step and the board can set a lower rate when final figures are available.

Why it matters: adopting a temporary operating resolution avoids a lapse in legally adopted appropriations at the start of the fiscal year. The tentative millage establishes public notice and a timeline for hearings required if the board later seeks a higher tax rate.

Next steps: staff will publish the required ad and return with final digest and recommended millage; commissioners said they want to review how many assessment appeals have been settled before finalizing the rate.