WASHINGTON

Before the Washington County Supervisors Tuesday discussed plans for the fiscal 26 budget, they received good news regarding the Orchard Hill renovation/remodeling that lowers the project cost by $120,488, dropping the shortfall from $180,000 to less than $60,000. With a $120,000 contingency that has “not been touched,” the total project cost is now $2,466,502 on what had been a $3.5 million maximum for relocating some of the county’s administrative offices.

The project also includes remodeling, especially the basement level, of the county courthouse. The change order, the first for the project, was approved unanimously; it had been reviewed in detail at an October meeting.

Also approved prior to the budget discussion, was a wage increase for Seth Adam, conservation/ranger technician, from $30.92 to $31.42 hourly, noting his earning certification as a pesticide applicator; approval of the sheriff department’s quarterly report showing a balance of $20,148.09 as of September 30; and noting it was similar to the previous quarter.

The budget discussion which, included reviewing state requirements regarding carryover balances to be 20 to 25 percent of the total and that last year the county had a 18.2 percent one, noted that when it came to budgets, “one size does not fit all,” that the $3.5 million balance sought by the state is easier for larger counties than small ones, that tax revenue involves revaluations as well new construction and that revenue went up more than 3 percent last year.

Members also noted that Washington is “lucky to be a growing county,” although it lost $1.4 million last year, much of it attributable to meeting the needs and services of the county ambulance and EMS services.

Discussion also touched upon the coming negotiations with the union representing law enforcement officers, the EMS levy special election planned for March, and reviewing and planning for a series of budget workshops with elected officials and county departments with a view to having budget considerations agreed upon before the end of December that could include the decision regarding compensation for elected officials.

They also discussed the need for possible closed sessions as well as open workshops, all related to a more than $38 million total budget. In union negotiations, the county will be represented, as it has been in previous years, by outside counsel.

Throughout the discussion, it was noted by the members that they will need firm property assessment figures and to meet with the assessor, that “prices will continue to go up,”, that work sessions should start soon, and that the big question is “how the hell to make it all work” in the light of state fiscal mandates.

After reviewing the holiday schedule this month, the board set 1 p.m. Monday for a work session regarding compensation for elected officials.