County Council Reviews 2027 Budget and Election Box Costs

Mary Roselle, Head of the Budget and Finance Division, provided updates on 2027 budget preparations to the county council. The proposed budget is scheduled for introduction on October 13 and adoption on December 8. Roselle noted that the budget will include requests for two new positions and nine position alterations, alongside requests for 25 compensation increases above the standard flat percentage. Separately, Emily Cook provided cost estimates for election boxes.

A major driver of the proposed budget is compensation increases required by union contracts. Roselle also noted that the election bureau’s budget request, which was approved by the county Election Board, does not include funds for additional mail ballot drop boxes, despite a previous council majority vote to consider adding them.