Morgan County adopts $71.26 million 2026 budget, sets total county mill levy at 29.236

Morgan County Finance Director Jessica Trusty presented the county’s 2026 budget and the Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution 2025 BCC 51 on Dec. 22, approving total budgeted expenditures of $71,260,213.

The resolution summarizes estimated revenues and expenditures across county funds. Trusty highlighted major items in the budget, including a roughly $10,015,000 allocation to the Jail Capital Improvement fund, planned purchases of new radios for the Ambulance, Sheriff’s and Coroner’s offices, and construction of a new Solid Waste cell. The Board approved the budget by a 3-0 vote after a motion by Commissioner Timothy A. Malone and a second from Commissioner Kelvin S. Bernhardt.

The Board also adopted Resolution 2025 BCC 52 to set the county’s mill levies for tax year 2025, which fund the 2026 budget year. The levy was set at 19.448 mills for the General Fund, 7.500 mills for Road and Bridge, and 2.000 mills for Social Services, producing a combined county levy of 29.236 mills. Commissioner Kelvin S. Bernhardt moved to approve the mill levies; Commissioner Malone seconded and the motion carried 3-0.

Separately, the Board passed Resolution 2025 BCC 53 to appropriate sums of money to county funds and spending agencies for 2026. The appropriation resolution reiterates the fund-level totals and earmarks specific capital projects such as approximately $400,000 from the General Fund to complete the Hog and Sheep Barn at the Morgan County Fairgrounds and various road and bridge projects. The appropriation carried 3-0 on a motion by Commissioner Malone, seconded by Commissioner Bernhardt.

Finance Director Trusty also presented Resolution 2025 BCC 55, a supplemental amendment to the 2025 budget directing a transfer of $100,000 from unappropriated General Fund reserves to the Ambulance Fund. The action increased the Ambulance Fund appropriation from $2,712,852 to $2,812,825; Trusty said the transfer was needed to cover necessary overtime during a period of staffing inconsistency. Commissioner Kelvin S. Bernhardt moved approval; Commissioner Malone seconded and the motion carried 3-0.

Information Services Director Karol Kopetzky read the county’s 2025 mill levy certifications for local taxing entities, including school districts, fire districts, water and special districts. Among the reported rates were Buffalo RE-4 at 30.042 mills, Brush RE-2(J) at 48.354 mills and Fort Morgan RE-3 at 36.144 mills. The Board approved the certification as presented, 3-0.

All motions described above were recorded as carrying unanimously by the three commissioners present. There was no public comment at the meeting. The Board adjourned at 9:36 a.m.