Monroe County presents $150.9M proposed 2026 budget; 20-day review set with tentative Dec. 17 adoption

Monroe County officials presented a proposed 2026 county budget of roughly $150.9 million and set a 20-day public review period ahead of a tentative adoption on Dec. 17.

Miss Bartlett, the meeting presenter, said the county’s proposed total is "for Monroe County in the amount of 150,900,000.0," with a general fund of about $89.3 million. "The county millage rate will remain at 5.4773 mils," she said, adding that "4.9177 mills will be utilized for general purposes and the balance is designated for debt service obligation," which she said increases by $554,000 in 2026 because of a new capital projects bond.

The presentation outlined personnel and benefit changes. County officials described implementation of an Archer study to align pay with market data and noted a 3% cost-of-living adjustment approved in January 2025. The budget includes a revised longevity policy effective Jan. 1, 2026, that starts with $250 in year five and scales up to $1,000 bonuses at year 20 and subsequent five-year milestones. The packet cited 17 full-time positions across several departments, four of which are funded outside the general fund.

Miss Bartlett also summarized capital and operating items: planned computer capital spending of $344,000 (a 15% decrease from 2025) and roughly $299,000 for minor equipment (a 13.7% decrease). She said capital projects and reserve funds total $8.7 million and that 81% of the total represents the unspent balance of a recently issued $10 million 2025 capital projects bond. Retirement costs were listed at $4,725,000 for 2026.

On grants, Miss Bartlett reported total grant revenue of $31.6 million, including $25.25 million for health and human services, $1.71 million for public safety (primarily a 9-1-1 connectivity grant), $3.97 million for courts and related services, $592,000 for elections integrity, and $101,000 in general government accounts.

During discussion, an unnamed board member observed a roughly $3.5 million drop in grant revenue from 2025 to 2026, attributing much of that change to about $3 million in 9-1-1 funding changes. The same speaker said representatives Cartwright and Breslahan helped secure roughly $700,000 for the 9-1-1 center. The speaker also used the phrase "a $33,000,000 loss," a figure that was not explained in the record.

The presenter noted $125,000 in interest from opioid settlement funds that will be placed in the general fund and described a new budget line item for opioid-awareness programs that previously were funded via midyear adjustments. The record also notes $2.2 million in Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds no longer in the picture and timing differences in American Rescue Plan and control-center appropriations.

On transit funding, the transcript shows discussion of timing issues with the Monroe County Transit Authority and a $236,000 variance between 2025 and 2026 tied to the county’s payment obligations.

Procedural action: an unnamed member moved to present the budget for a 20-day public review with tentative adoption on Dec. 17 at 10:00 a.m.; another member seconded the motion. The chair called for a voice vote. Multiple members said "aye," and at least one member stated they intended to vote "nay" and voiced "vote nay." The transcript does not include a clear certified final tally of the vote. The meeting was then adjourned.

What’s next: the transcript records that final adoption is scheduled for a special meeting on Dec. 17 at 10:00 a.m.; the county may make changes within 10% of the total budget between the tentative and final adoption dates.

Sources: Monroe County budget presentation and meeting transcript.