Resident urges more detailed budget exhibits as county prepares 2027 plan

Linda Zilmer, a property owner and Edgewater resident of the village of Birchwood, used her public comment slot to urge the committee to expand budget exhibits for the 2027 process to preserve institutional continuity.

"As the county goes into, budget planning time, it makes me all the more aware of how things have changed in the last 10 years," Zilmer said, noting the county has had multiple county administrators and sheriffs during that span. She asked that committee review materials include head counts, salary information, department responsibilities and revenue projections so incoming administrators and the public can better understand how departments work together.

Zilmer said better reporting matters for this committee because of public-safety overlaps with other county functions, and she specifically suggested closer reporting on positions such as a code-enforcement officer, where current reporting appears limited. The chair thanked Zilmer for her comments and moved the meeting forward.

The comment was delivered during the public-comment agenda item; no formal action followed. The committee did not adopt changes to budget reporting at the meeting but will consider the 2027 exhibits during budget review.