Overview
- County budget staff on Monday presented a proposed FY27 general fund of about $3.1 billion that would raise spending roughly 12% from last year and leave a roughly $129 million–$178 million shortfall.
- The budget office showed scenarios that would raise the county property-tax rate from 38.1¢ to 41.9¢ and said the combined maximum rate the court could set without a referendum could reach about 71.7¢ per $100 of taxable value.
- Officials identified specific cost drivers including roughly $89 million in higher health‑care costs, about $76 million tied to law‑enforcement pay and vacancy-related expenses, and previously temporary programs moving to recurring county funding.
- To bridge the gap without layoffs the plan relies on tax-rate increases, about $186 million in offsets such as departmental savings and property sales, and one-time draws that county leaders warn would not fix a structural deficit.
- Commissioners debated priorities but did not adopt a budget or set a tax rate and will take a binding vote on the budget and any tax change on Sept. 8, with potential homeowner bills rising by around $90–$226 depending on the scenario and agency rates chosen.