The Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously at their April 1 regular meeting to adopt the FY2026-27 budget development timeline and identify key capital priorities for the coming fiscal year.
At the April 1, 2026 regular meeting, the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 to adopt the proposed budget development timeline for Fiscal Year 2026-27, which begins October 1, 2026.
County Manager Shannon Metty presented the schedule, which calls for department heads and constitutional officers to submit budget requests by May 9, followed by a series of budget workshops in May and June. The Board directed staff to prioritize three capital areas: replacement of aging Road Department heavy equipment, improvements to the county's emergency communications infrastructure, and deferred maintenance at the R.J. Bailar Public Library.
"We have a responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars while also making sure we're investing in the infrastructure our residents depend on," said Commission Chairman Gene Hall. "The Road Department fleet is the backbone of our rural road maintenance program, and several pieces of equipment are well past their useful life."
The proposed general fund budget is estimated at approximately $12.4 million, with revenue projections reflecting modest growth in ad valorem tax collections and stable state revenue sharing. The Board also discussed the potential impact of the Small County Surtax on capital project funding.
The formal TRIM (Truth in Millage) process public hearings on the tentative millage rate and budget are required by Florida law to be held in September. All budget workshops and hearings will be held at the County Courthouse Annex, 445 W Palmer Mill Road, Monticello, and are open to the public. Agendas are published on the county's TownCloud portal at least 24 hours prior to each meeting.
Budget documents will be available for review at the County Coordinator's Office, 450 Walnut Street, Monticello, FL 32344, or by calling (850) 342-0287.