County staff told commissioners on Aug. 6 that the proposed budget is scheduled for publication in the newspaper on Aug. 13 and that the board is set to vote on the budget on Aug. 27.
Lucas, county staff, said July's sales-tax distribution "was the biggest July that we've ever had," and that sales-tax receipts have grown for three consecutive months. He also said the county had tentatively increased the EMS revenue projection in the draft budget but that commissioners should be cautious because Medicaid rate changes could materially affect EMS collections. "He's a little freaked out with all the Medicaid rate talk stuff on what that would affect," Lucas said, referring to EMS leadership.
Why it matters: The county's final budget affects staffing, capital projects and service levels; sales-tax and EMS revenues are material inputs to overall revenue projections.
Commissioners discussed grant dependence and staffing. Several speakers said the county must avoid funding recurring personnel costs with temporary grant revenue. Shane, a county official, said: "Never fund a person with a grant. Because I think it just sets itself up." Commissioners asked staff to review grant-funded positions for attrition and to clarify whether new grant positions would become county-funded if grants lapse.
Other budget notes
R&R (petition) notices for the budget had been mailed, and the newspaper notice is scheduled to run Aug. 13. Staff said the budget figure published will be the high end; the county can reduce the advertised amount but cannot publish a higher figure after notices go to print.
Staff also discussed facility and utility cost estimates tied to a new EMS station and a planned treasurer's office redesign; some utility and insurance increases were budgeted as estimates. The health department's revenue mix prompted discussion: staff said core state grants are likely stable, but some auxiliary grants have ended and could affect services; the county is considering attrition and written policies that clarify what happens to positions if grant funding ends.
Next steps
Staff will finalize the published notice ahead of the Aug. 13 newspaper run, continue monitoring sales-tax receipts and EMS revenue trends, and prepare a clearer accounting of grant-funded positions and related sustainability options for the board before the Aug. 27 budget vote.