Adams County committee reviews 2027 budget timeline; staff proposes 4.1% COLA and plans for 20% health‑insurance increase

The Adams County Administrative & Finance Committee reviewed the proposed 2027 budget timeline and the assumptions that staff expects to use when building next year’s budget.

Kyle, speaking for county staff, said departments received budget instructions and that committees will review departmental requests in September. He outlined the calendar: an administrative‑finance committee presentation on Oct. 2, a county board presentation Oct. 13, committee finalization Oct. 14 (when the budget resolution would be passed), publication in the county’s weekly newspaper on Oct. 21 and a Nov. 10 public hearing and board meeting to adopt the 2027 budget.

Why it matters: staff said the county must comply with state notice requirements for the budget hearing (publication at least 15 days before the hearing), which drives the earlier review and publication schedule.

On pay and benefits, Kyle said staff is proposing a 4.1% cost‑of‑living adjustment for wages, tied to the Midwest consumer price index for April 2026. "What we're looking at is doing a 4.1% cost of living adjustment for wages," Kyle said. He also said benefit consultants advised planning for about a 20% increase in health‑insurance costs for the county’s plan.

Committee members raised procedural and timing questions about when substantive changes could be made. Mr. Taylor asked whether publication the day after committee finalization would leave sufficient time to handle board changes; staff responded that departments and the county administrator will work through changes after the Oct. 2 presentation and that formal amendments may still be offered at the Nov. 10 public hearing.

The finance director and other staff said they will solicit quotes from carriers and market the county’s medical plan for 2027, and that the county’s participation in a multi‑county pool (WCA) helped moderate the county’s exposure during recent renewals.

Next steps: staff urged supervisors to note the calendar dates and said the budget will return for committee presentations and final board action in October and November.