Council agrees to raises to midpoint after trimming budget; expects small surplus

Councilors reviewed Baker Tilly's operating-receipts estimate and a spreadsheet of budget cuts before discussing employee compensation. Chair (speaker 2) said the county's estimated operating receipts were about $21.16 million (Baker Tilly figure) and that the council had made roughly $255,087 in cuts; after accounting for a $380,000 levy shift and other adjustments, members walked through whether raises to midpoint would leave the budget balanced.

A calculation offered in the meeting found that "If we give everybody raises to midpoint, we're $8,000 under budget," said Chair (speaker 2), an outcome several members supported as a reasonable way to value county employees while remaining fiscally responsible. Members who expressed concern noted future risks from state policy changes and potential 2027-28 revenue pressures, but a majority supported midpoint raises for the current year.

Councilors directed staff to verify the levy-shift math with Baker Tilly, finalize the ordinance language, and return a final budget for adoption after the 3:00 p.m. hearing referenced by staff.