The Monroe County Board of Commissioners convened on May 16, 2025, to adopt the county's budget for the upcoming fiscal year, totaling $147,111,198. The meeting highlighted several key financial adjustments and strategic decisions impacting county operations and services.

One of the significant changes discussed was the implementation of a new salary grid for nonunion employees, which will take effect on January 1, 2025. This new structure will reduce the number of pay grades from 31 to 22, aligning salaries more closely with employee tenure and job responsibilities. The budget also includes 20 new positions across various departments and five and a half contracted roles in the IT department, with no changes to long-term debt obligations or employee healthcare contributions.

In terms of revenue, the budget reflects a net increase of $18,132 in the general fund, driven by additional reimbursements and grant awards, including a $200,000 boost in public safety grants for the control center. However, there were minor decreases in some revenue streams, such as a $2,000 reduction in grant revenue.

On the expense side, the budget outlines increases for various departments, including $51,709 for contracted IT services and $45,000 allocated for prisoner transport expenses. Additionally, the district attorney's office will see an increase in funding for victim witness grants and operational costs.

The commissioners also addressed the need for a reassessment of property values due to changes in the common level ratio, which has decreased significantly since the last assessment in 2019. This reassessment aims to ensure fair taxation based on current property values.

The meeting concluded with the unanimous adoption of the 2025 budget and the county's liquid fuels budget of $457,167. The commissioners emphasized the importance of these financial decisions in maintaining county services and addressing the needs of the community.