Blair County Planning Commission votes to advertise proposed 2026–27 budget; formal adoption postponed

The Blair County Planning Commission directed staff to advertise the proposed operating budget for the fiscal period described at the meeting as July 1, 2026–June 30 (FY 2026–27) and deferred formal adoption until the next meeting to allow required public notice and inspection.

Members questioned whether the budget had been advertised before adoption; the solicitor was not present, so the board amended its pending motion to approve the budget for advertisement only and to present the budget for a formal adoption vote at the next meeting. The chair said staff will make copies available for public inspection in the commission office and post the budget on the commission’s website while confirming advertising requirements with the solicitor.

Staff reported a roughly 14% increase in the commission’s staff health-insurance cost; to maintain current benefit levels without increasing employee risk, the proposed budget includes a new premium share for employees of approximately $51 per pay period. The budget also includes cost-of-living adjustments for current staff ranging from 3% to 5% as presented.

Because the solicitation and advertisement timing may affect the legality of adopting the budget immediately, the board considered advertising and a formal adoption at a future meeting the reasonable path forward.