Judge Hill proposes 2.76% departmental cuts to avoid a tax-rate increase; motion fails for lack of second

Judge Hill opened the discussion of the fiscal year 2027 budget by saying the court's proposed package would result in a tax-rate increase and by proposing departmental cuts as an alternative. "And so at this time, I'll make a motion that we ask all departments to cut their budgets by 2.76%. That's the number provided by the budget department," Judge Hill said, and he asked departments to report back by Sept. 14.

Commissioner Hale and another commissioner pushed back, arguing the county operates ‘‘tight’’ and that reductions at the department level could harm essential services. Commissioner Hale said he could not support the proposal given current pressures on public safety and court operations. A second was not offered and Judge Hill's motion failed for lack of a second.

Why it matters: the court is weighing whether to use both property value increases and a higher tax rate for 2027 — Judge Hill said it would be the first tax-rate increase in 33 years — and commissioners debated metrics (population plus inflation versus other measures) and the impact on services.

What comes next: Judge Hill asked departments to notify the court if they voluntarily identify savings before the final budget adoption; the court kept deadlines tied to the Sept. 14 final adoption schedule.

"If each department went through and found 2.76 in savings in their own department, we would not be required to raise taxes on our citizens and could get back to, an effective tax rate," Judge Hill said in explaining the motion.