Adopted 2025-26 Budget

Adopted Budget Summary

The Adopted Budget included total appropriations of $43,659,899, funded by revenues of $35,502,788, a General Fund Contribution of $1,000,000, and use of Other Fund Contributions of $7,157,111.

Budget Summary

The budget reflected a single year snapshot of capital projects that span multiple fiscal years. The County's entire portfolio of active capital projects within this budget and those within the Community Development and Infrastructure budget can be reviewed in the 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

The budget decreased expenses by $42,491,420 and revenues by $44,063,471, largely from the completion of the Hope Forward-Esperanza Adelante, a youth crisis center located in Live Oak that was fully budgeted in the prior year. The budget included five critical infrastructure projects totaling $1,771,500: heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and boiler replacements at the Main Jail and Rountree Facility, emergency generator upgrades at the County Government Center, secure parking improvements, and facility repairs at multiple sites. The budget included capital project contingencies of $300,000 to address any unforeseen emergency repairs and $310,800 to address potential tariff-related cost impacts. Total 2025-26 project requests exceeded $7.1 million, resulting in $4.8 million of unfunded capital needs, which represent ongoing deferred maintenance across County Facilities. Additionally, the budget added $5,114,356 in capital expenses to support active park improvements, including $716,070 in increased funding for Brommer Street Park Restroom Restoration, the Simpkins Waterslide Replacement, and other park improvements. These projects were supported by $374,310 in Park Dedication In-Lieu and Impact Fee Funds and $87,899 in unallocated funds from various Parks Capital Funds. The Other Fund Contributions of $7,157,111 reflected a continuation of previously approved capital expenses with supporting revenues for current active Park and Open Space projects.

Final Budget Summary

The Final Budget added $36,071,704 in expenses for the carryover and rebudget of unspent balance of capital projects appropriations that were generally long-term construction or repair projects that can span many months or years. Among the various capital projects that began in 2024-25 and continue into 2025-26 were correctional facility improvements and repairs and government center renovations. This was funded by the rebudget of intergovernmental revenue of $21,967,690 with the net increase of expenses over revenue funded by the carryover of prior year fund balance.

Deferred Maintenance Backlog: The County continues to face a significant backlog of deferred maintenance across its facility portfolio. Aging building systems, decades-old infrastructure, and insufficient reinvestment in core assets have contributed to the accumulation of repair and replacement needs. Critical systems such as HVAC, boilers, emergency generators, and fire alarm panels are reaching the end of their useful lives, increasing the risk of unplanned failures that can disrupt operations and public services. While the CIP process has helped prioritize needs, available funding remains far below what is required to address the backlog. Without sustained investment, the County may experience rising lifecycle costs, emergency repair expenses, and reduced facility reliability.

Energy and Facilities Climate Impact: The County’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan calls for reducing emissions, transitioning away from fossil fuels, and modernizing public infrastructure for long-term sustainability. Meeting these objectives will require capital investment to replace gas-fired systems with all-electric alternatives, integrate solar and energy storage solutions, and improve overall building efficiency. Many County facilities were constructed before current energy codes and may require significant upgrades to comply with electrification mandates or participate in funding programs. As environmental goals become increasingly integrated into project design and construction standards, additional resources and strategic planning will be needed to align the County’s capital projects with state climate and energy policy.

Tariffs and Market Volatility: Recent changes to federal tariffs and international trade policies have led to increased costs for construction materials, especially steel, aluminum, electrical components, and HVAC equipment. Combined with ongoing labor shortages, these inflationary pressures are impacting the County’s ability to deliver capital projects within budget. Some bids have come in significantly above engineer estimates, requiring scope reductions or deferral of work. Capital projects now require higher contingencies to account for unpredictable cost swings, and long-term planning must consider potential procurement delays, supply chain disruptions, and budget adjustments stemming from global market fluctuations.