County finance staff outline multi‑year deficit after millage defeats; commissioners told deep cuts needed to balance budget
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Summary
Eaton County administrators presented updated budget projections showing a structural shortfall that would require roughly $3 million in ongoing cuts to maintain a $6 million fund balance without new revenue.
County administration presented updated multi-year budget projections and a position-by-position inventory that show a continued structural shortfall absent new revenue. The controller said the county would need approximately $3 million in ongoing reductions to preserve a $6 million fund balance.
Controller Ben and finance director Melissa reviewed changes since last month’s projection, noting adjustments to tax revenue estimates and reworked transfers after finalizing the county cost-allocation plan. The packet showed projected general fund expenditures falling as personnel reductions were modeled, but administration said legacy pension (MERS) and retiree-health liabilities limit the dollar-for-dollar savings from reducing staff.
Administration cautioned that the most painful and least efficient way to close the gap is across-the-board personnel cuts because pensions and other legacy costs remain. They estimated a $3 million set-aside for MERS contributions as a planning placeholder until the actuarial cost of specific reductions is known. They also increased OPEB (other post‑employment benefits) funding assumptions in the draft valuation and asked the board to adopt the actuarial assumptions used for the 2024 OPEB valuation.
Commissioners and department heads discussed the practical effects of reductions. Human Resources Director said the county’s vacancy ratio rose to 12.68% and predicted service delays if positions are not backfilled. Prosecutor Doug Lloyd and multiple speakers warned that reductions in sheriff’s road patrol and prosecutor staffing would reduce the county’s ability to respond and process cases, and the sheriff (speaker identified generically in the transcript) warned of recruitment competition from neighboring counties.
Administration recommended continued review in budget hearings, with departments preparing service‑level descriptions and mandated functions to help the board judge where reductions could be made. The committee scheduled follow-up budget work and an additional meeting on May 30 to refine options and develop hearings for departmental presentations.