Elaine Paul Schaefer

Amended 2026 Capital Improvement Budget

Most of the county's general obligation borrowing funds this program; the $18 million reduction frees borrowing capacity.

Evening meeting schedule change

Saves about $40,000 a year in police overtime costs.

Human Services Block Grant — $51.15M

$928,194.52 in state funding, an increase of about $77,000 over last year.

Federal housing and homelessness grants

About $210,900 in PHFA funds for housing stability services.

Workday implementation risk

Up to $300,000 a year for up to three years, plus supplemental support within an existing capital plan budget line.

$4.4 million compensation study for county workers

Up to $4.4 million budgeted for 2026, but council questions whether ancillary costs could push higher — and whether taxes might rise next year.

Property tax refunds and the common level ratio

$652,193.61 in court-ordered refunds, drawn from the budget's tax-appeal contingency fund.

Tax Claim Bureau Payment Plan Practices

County Pension Cost-of-Living for Retirees

A COLA would increase the county's annual required pension contribution, which has run $9-12 million a year.

Fair Acres nurses' union contract extension

Extends existing wages and benefits for one year; cost not itemized in the record.

911 System Costs Outpacing State Surcharge

About $35 million total, with over $6 million covered by state grants — funded largely through bonding.

Fair Acres Geriatric Center kitchen renovation

The project represented millions of dollars in upgrades, per the Chair.

No county fleet management policy despite six years of vehicle buying

Ongoing vehicle replacement and repair spending without a formal policy; the Durango purchase alone is $124,515.69.

TestandGo kiosk spending concerns

The renewal costs up to $100,000 in opioid settlement funds for FY26/27.

Fair Acres Intergovernmental Transfer Agreement

Could bring Fair Acres about $13.9 million in surplus, but requires the county to front a $25.3M transfer in January.

Law library print subscription costs

$321,888 over three years, with a 4% annual increase.

Property Tax Burden and Senior Home Losses

Tax increases compound resident costs; deferral program and payment plans are the county's current relief tools.

LIHEAP Energy Assistance

Grants of $200 to $1,000 per eligible household, paid directly to utilities.

Possible future tax increases and cost control

Court-ordered refunds totaled $652,193.61 plus $44,161.89 in overpayment refunds; residents fear another increase at year's end.

Fair Acres nursing home funding agreement

Brings about $13.9 million in surplus funds to Fair Acres as part of a $25.3 million funding arrangement with federal matching.