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County managers flag $156,000 general‑fund shortfall and call for structural fixes
Summary
County Administrator Kelly Schwarter reported a projected general‑fund deficit of about $156,000 and an HHS shortfall of about $90,000 for 2026; commissioners discussed potential overtime controls, departmental accountability, and the need for structural changes rather than one‑time fixes.
County Administrator Kelly Schwarter briefed the board on the 2026 budget position: after a 2.6% preliminary levy, staff now project a general‑fund gap of approximately $156,000 (partly covered this year by one‑time balances and ARPA) and an HHS fund shortfall of about $90,000. Schwarter said departments continue to refine numbers and that one‑time funds have been used to buy down the gap, but cautioned the general fund remains structurally out of balance if no changes are made for future years.
Commissioners discussed enforcement of departmental budget discipline, overtime control and the need for a multi‑department plan to reduce structural deficits. Auditor‑Treasurer Mary Jensen urged holding departments more accountable to budget lines: “You have a budget for a reason. It's not just a willy‑nilly number,” she said. Commissioners agreed to prioritize work beginning in January to address structural issues rather than rely on one‑time funds going forward.
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