Wallowa County adopts 2025 budget but commissioners call it a "Band‑Aid" as revenue pressures remain

Wallowa County commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 30 to adopt the county's fiscal year 2025 budget after a public hearing that followed multiple continuations earlier in December.

Chairman Kimbell opened the hearing and walked the board and the public through staff responses to earlier questions. Resident Robert Lee asked how the state's projected shortfall might affect local budgets and where to find monthly budget-vs.-actual reports; county staff directed him to the auditor's website and said those reports are produced monthly.

The heart of the meeting was commissioners' deliberations about the budget's sustainability. Chairman Kimbell characterized the adopted package as “truly a Band Aid,” saying the plan balances on paper but relies on reserve accounts and recent one-time measures. He warned departments against complacency and said the county may need additional reductions — including a possible 5% cut across departments or furloughs — if sales- and property‑tax receipts do not improve in the first half of 2025.

Commissioners noted a roughly 10% decline in sales tax receipts in 2024 and said the county is watching cash flow closely through April, when property‑tax collections typically begin to arrive. The board also emphasized the existing hiring freeze and said three positions already offer accepted start dates in January, reflecting an attempt to limit service interruptions while controlling costs.

After discussion, a motion to adopt the final 2025 county budget was moved and seconded and passed 3‑0. Commissioners said they will monitor revenues monthly and reconvene policy discussions if the financial outlook worsens.

The clerk's office will post the adopted budget and supporting monthly reports on the auditor's page of the county website.