The Washington County Supervisors set the budget directive recommendation for fiscal year 2027 for department heads and elected officials Tuesday and they’re asking staff to find ways to decrease expenses. 

The motion made by Marcus Fedler sets the recommendation for department heads and elected officials to find ways to get to a 5% decrease in overall expenses, not including labor. The motion was passed unanimously. These recommendations will then be discussed with the supervisors in ongoing meetings with department heads throughout the month of January. 

Last year, the directive from the Washington County Board of Supervisors to departments was to hold steady and they set at a 0% increase. Department heads will be meeting with supervisors throughout January to go over their budgets for the next fiscal year. County budgets must be filed by April 30 for the upcoming fiscal year that runs from July 1 to June 30.