Washington County supervisors give tentative approval to FY24–25 budgets, direct drafts for lodging and solar revenue ordinances

The Washington County Board of Supervisors tentatively approved multiple operating budgets for fiscal year 2024–25 on March 19 and directed staff to draft two ordinances aimed at increasing local revenues.

At a budget workshop, the board voted unanimously to renew the county’s participation in the Local Choice health benefits program with proposed premium rates that reflect an 11% increase over last year, to be split equally between employees and the county. "These rates do reflect an 11% increase from last year that will be shared equally between the employees and the county," Ms. Wells said, presenting the renewal.

Finance staff outlined options to preserve a $670,000 capital reserve by trimming one-time expenditures and suggested modest revenue changes to offset shortfalls. As part of those options, staff recommended raising the transient occupancy (lodging) tax by two percentage points, from the current 5% to 7%, to align with neighboring localities. The board granted consensus and directed staff to draft the lodging-tax ordinance and to include the change in the budget resolution, with any ordinance to be considered in a later public hearing and, if adopted, likely effective July 1.

The board also moved through tentative approvals of several fund budgets — including library, public assistance, social services and the Children’s Services Act — and approved limited additional staffing or funding in several areas subject to carryover and final budget adoption. Several motions and tentative approvals passed with recorded affirmative votes. In each case where a formal vote was recorded the board approved the item.

Supervisors emphasized that most approvals were tentative and dependent on final carryover figures and further staff follow-up. Finance staff said they would return to the board with updated tallies before final adoption.

Next steps: the county will schedule required public hearings for any ordinance changes (including the lodging-tax proposal), legal staff will prepare draft language for review, and the board will consider final budget adoption after carryover and additional staff analysis.