Washington County Commission to consider FY27 budget

Washington County will consider its upcoming fiscal year budget as recommended by the budget committee on Thursday. The budget committee concluded its 2027 fiscal year discussion on Thursday, May 28 in which officials voted to recommend the draft to the full commission for consideration. The full commission will also consider a resolution to keep the property tax rate which was set in 2024 at $1.71 for every $100 of assessed property. Property tax collections for FY27 are budgeting at 97%, but the county is expecting to receive closer to 98%. Estimated property and sales tax collections for Washington County increased 3% from the current fiscal year. The full commission will consider a budget with more than $167 million in total government expenditures and more than $139 million in revenue creating a $28.6 million deficit. The budget committee approved a recommendation to the full commission to transfer $6 million out of the county's reserve policy and into the general fund. Officials said this will mitigate the $10 million deficit between revenue and expenditures in the general fund balance. The general fund — the county's primary account — finances more than 50 accounts including general government, majority of county departments, administration of justice, public safety and more. Washington County Commission Chairman Greg Matherly said there are multiple factors included in the decision-making process for a fiscal year budget and it begins months before the budget committee starts its examination. The full commission had its first meeting to discuss the FY27 budget in January as a requirement by state law to hold three meetings before the end of June to discuss the upcoming fiscal year. The budget committee began meeting weekly in late April where they discussed and considered all county funds, including requests made by each county department, and estimated revenue. "They have worked to reduce the budget as much as possible," Matherly said. "It's a balancing act that oftentimes takes a lot of time and discussion with officials and trying to get that budget down to a level of funding that the county can afford." Matherly said there are several factors which play a part in his consideration of the FY27 budget including differentiating wants and needs, concerns constituents have voiced and growing demand for services. He said as an elected official, his job is to ensure citizens are receiving the services necessary to meet the needs of the community. A public hearing for the FY27 budget will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday followed by a budget committee meeting at the George P. Jaynes Justice Center. At this meeting, the committee could decide to alter its recommendation to the full commission. The full commission will consider the budget and the county tax levy at its 5 p.m. meeting on Thursday in the George P. Jaynes Justice Center.