Madison County board advances FY2026 budget and keeps levy flat for ninth year

Madison County Board members approved a package of finance items that included the proposed FY2026 budget and an ordinance setting the county tax levy while discussing potential future state actions that could increase county expenses.

Mister Guy presented finance committee items including emergency appropriations for public‑safety grants, settlements, and the FY2026 budget summarized at approximately $180 million. He highlighted that Madison County has kept its county levy flat for nine consecutive years and urged the public to examine the county component of their property tax bills rather than broader taxing‑body changes.

Board member Gray asked about adding eight probation staff positions and whether the state would fund fringe benefits; Gray said a state proposal to fund positions but not benefits had been vetoed previously and warned that if it passed the county could face up to roughly $0.5–1.0 million in additional costs for fringe benefits. County administration (Mister McKee) said he had not previously heard of the specific legislation and that his office and lobbyists would monitor Springfield and work with the probation department to seek mitigation if necessary.

The board also considered an amendment to an insurance premium (reducing a Wood River facility specialty property premium by excluding a terrorism coverage fee) and approved the amendment, then adopted the bundled finance items on roll call.

Why it matters: the budget and levy set county priorities and fiscal capacity for the coming year; potential state policy changes around probation staffing could increase county costs if fringe benefits are not covered by state funds.

Next steps: staff and lobbyists will monitor relevant state legislation and report back as needed; the adopted FY2026 budget will move to implementation by county departments.