Hamilton County commissioners moved this week to finalize the 2026 budget by Dec. 18, with the administration promising a reconciliation memo that will lay out incremental changes from the administrator's recommended budget. County Administrator Jeff Alulo told the panel the goal is to "close out the budget by December 18" and said the county operates on a roughly $1.3 billion all-funds budget and about $400 million in the general fund.

Why it matters: The commission is balancing competing priorities including public safety, children's services and large economic development investments. Commissioners are wrestling with a roughly $6 million uptick identified in sales-tax revenue but also the potential removal of a proposed transfer fee that would reduce projected revenue by $4.7 million, leaving a narrow gap to close.

How the process will proceed: Alulo said staff will prepare a reconciliation document ahead of Tuesday's staff meeting showing changes in revenues and expenditures and how they affect balance. "We typically get budget changes up until literally 10 minutes before the meeting," he said, underscoring that the reconciliation is intended to be transparent about what was added or removed.

Points of contention: Commissioners highlighted affordability concerns for residents. Commissioner Alicia Reese said she is looking at affordability and safety as twin priorities and pressed for clarity on how proposed actions would affect homeowners. Commissioner Summer Dumas warned that Job and Family Services (JFS) could face a $34 million shortfall that would shift costs into the county general fund if the agency cannot balance its budget.

Next steps: The administration will circulate the reconciliation memo by the end of the week, with the board scheduled to consider a resolution to adopt the budget at the Dec. 18 meeting. If commissioners do not reach final consensus Tuesday, the formal vote remains scheduled for Thursday (Dec. 18).