Presiding Commissioner called a meeting Nov. 13 at which county staff presented the proposed Montgomery County fiscal year 2026 budget and the board voted to advertise it for public review. Stephanie Tipton, deputy chief operating officer, opened the presentation and invited residents to two public hearings on Dec. 4 and a final vote later in December.

Dean Nortone, the county’s chief financial officer, said the county has cut costs and improved revenue performance since early forecasts left a large gap. “We are gonna raise the millage rate to 5.462,” he said, a change the county estimates will generate about $12,000,000 in net new revenue and reduce the need to draw down reserves. Nortone projected the average single‑family homeowner would see about a $36 annual increase under the proposal.

County officials described a mix of measures to balance the budget: targeted cost containment and renegotiated contracts (including a pharmacy contract that staff said will save about $1.4 million), planned use of restricted and unassigned fund balance (roughly $13.5 million), and modest fee increases in some departments. The CFO said the county expects to rely partly on one‑time funding and revenue performance to bridge gaps into 2027.

The proposed spending priorities highlighted by staff include $3.6 million set aside for transitional housing and shelter operations, continued investment in parks and trails, $7.2 million toward new emergency communications equipment for first responders, and a proposed increase in the community college millage to support stable tuition levels. The five‑year capital improvement program includes roughly $256 million in projects in 2026, with the Justice Center and a planned new library among larger items.

The board moved and approved a motion to advertise the proposed budget and post it to the county website for public review. The motion passed by voice vote; two public hearings were scheduled on Dec. 4 (10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.) and a final vote is expected in mid‑December.

The county will accept public comment during the hearings and via materials posted online; staff urged residents to review the budget book on the county finance webpage and provide feedback.