HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-28 BudgetBudget Update
July 28, 2026
2:01 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Swope, Becky Butler, Grace
Jimenez, Chief Chris Sweet, Undersheriff Kevin Engelbertson, Captain Chris Tawes
Guest(s): Jacob Moore
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Jail medical and opioid funds: Becky Butler and Sheriff’s Office representatives Chief Chris Sweet,
Undersheriff Kevin Engelbertson and Captain Chris Tawes discussed options for covering jail medical
costs once ARPA funding is no longer available. Chief Sweet said the Sheriff’s Office can absorb $400,000
of the $600,000 reduction for 2026 but that funding for 2027 would need to be addressed.
The group discussed using Fund 110 (one-tenth of 1 percent Mental Health Tax) to cover the costs in
2027. The commissioners directed staff to look for additional funding opportunities and to use the
General Fund to cover any funding gaps.
2027 Budget: Becky reviewed actions affecting the 2027 budget, including the following:
• Transfer of public records to PA Office oversight. Positions will be transferred under the PA’s
Office budget in 2026 and will then be rolled into the cost allocation plan in 2027.
• Renegotiation of lease for Centralia transfer station to the Solid Waste Disposal District.
• Potential transfer of Vader Water to the city of Vader.
• Potential for a public safety tax.
• Increased costs linked to new Public Defense caseload standards.
Becky said all-day budget meetings will take place Sept. 23, Sept. 29 and Oct. 7. The commissioners
directed staff to begin advertising for Citizen Budget Committee appointees. She said her department is
offering budget training to offices and departments.
Broadband closeout: Becky shared a recently completed website devoted to the broadband project. She
noted that the grant is complete and that the project had savings totaling $500,000.
Capital Projects: Becky said the drainage / paving project at the Fairgrounds is well underway.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA): Becky said staff is working on the closeout of ARPA funds. She said
the county has $145,000 in obligated funds that remain unspent and can be reallocated. She said staff is
reviewing documentation to determine whether Vader Water or Middle Fork have qualifying
expenditures the overage could be used for. Becky said the county has $200,000 that was obligated for
administrative costs but remains unspent. She discussed the possibility of moving up to $75,000 to cover
costs for the juvenile mentor program.
Commissioner Swope made a motion to allocate up to $75,000 the obligated, unspent funds from the
ARPA Administrative expenditure category to the Juvenile Mentor Program. Commissioner Brummer
seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Becky said preliminary budgets due Aug. 17.
Meeting adjourned at 3:04 p.m.