Budget & Finance

​ Structural Revenue Problem​

​Property Tax, one of our primary revenue sources, has grown 24% in the last years. In that same time, General Fund expenses have increased 54%.

 Contract Services

It costs $6.8 Million to provide medical services in the Jail. In 2017, the cost was $1.8 Million and it is expected to reach $8.6 Million in 2029. ​

 Medical Benefits and ​Insurance

Employee healthcare costs have risen by 37% since 2023 with total expenses exceeding $29 Million. County insurance costs have doubled since 2019. 

 Law Enforcement Costs

Body-worn cameras were added to the budget in 2024 - increasing the Sheriff's annual operating cost by $1 Million per year. Overtime costs have increased by 135% since 2020, mainly due to salary increases and vacancies for protected leaves and retirements.

​​​​​​​​​ Cost of Labor​

More than 70% of costs in the General Fund are people. Headcount is virtually the same as it was 20 years ago, but salary increases for union and non-union staff are driving these costs up faster than revenues are increasing. This resulted in the loss of more than 22 positions last year.​

​​​​​​​​​ Unfunded Mandates ​

New Office of Public Defense caseload standards required by the State will drive up the cost of providing indigent defense by more than $9.5 Million over the next ten years.