Finance Mtg. Present 2027 Tentative Budget - 10.30.26

Washington County, New York Finance Committee meeting on October 31, 2026, presenting the tentative 2027 budget. The proposal increases the budget by 9.79% ($4,340,764). The presentation cited $32 million in New York State grants for county projects, particularly sewer-district work intended to support local business, and more than $1 million in CHPE revenue. Other budget assumptions included $31.5 million in sales-tax revenue and $60,000 in tourism-reserve fund balance. The presenter also reported that the county attorney arranged a legal-aid contract to assist with Family Court, and that the county is withholding payment on a state-facility bill pending an itemized invoice that can be audited. No contract award or budget-adoption vote was recorded.

Discussion focused on proposed exempt-employee salary adjustments and the fairness and process used to set them; supervisors called for further review before adoption. The presentation also described removing two vacant positions and adding an assistant district attorney, an EMS supervisor, and a senior planner, with funding identified in the budget. Supervisors said there was time for further consideration, requested an electronic budget copy, and noted December 20 as the final budget-adoption deadline. No procurement motion or vote was reported.