City budget workshop reveals $1.7M shortfall despite proposed $3M reductions

The Clay County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) workshop on July 8, 2025, focused on budget considerations, particularly addressing a projected shortfall and the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

During the meeting, staff confirmed that even with proposed reductions amounting to $3 million, the county would still face a $1.7 million shortfall. This figure reflects the consensus reached in previous discussions regarding budget adjustments. The staff encouraged commissioners to review the project list and suggest any additional projects for consideration, indicating a willingness to make further adjustments to the budget.

A significant topic of discussion was the CIP, which is required to be balanced over a five-year period. Currently, the CIP shows a projected deficit of approximately $4.3 million in year five. The commissioners discussed the possibility of moving certain projects, such as vehicle purchases, from the operational budget to the CIP, which is permissible by policy and statute.

The meeting also highlighted the need to update the CIP to reflect new figures for the sheriff's office vehicles, which had not yet been incorporated into the current budget projections.

Overall, the workshop underscored the ongoing financial challenges facing Clay County and the importance of strategic planning to address budgetary shortfalls while ensuring essential projects are funded. The next steps will involve further review of the proposed projects and adjustments to the budget as necessary.