The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is working on the county budget for 2026 with an eye on saving money.
County Administrator Brian Dissette tells us changing circumstances are meaning a decline in county revenue.
“Part of that is no additional federal funds through the ARPA, but also we’re adjusting to just new revenue levels, fewer dollars coming in the form of state revenue sharing from the state of Michigan, but then also a reduction in overall county value, and that’s due to some of the tax appeals we’ve dealt with,” Dissette said.
That includes the Cook nuclear power plant’s efforts to have its taxes reduced.
Dissette says commissioners have made it clear they don’t want to head into the next year relying on reserves. They want a balanced budget. So, he’s looking at where money can be saved.
“How many positions we have planned for the upcoming year to what capital projects, what deferred maintenance projects. And then as we look at the overall budget, it’s ensuring that we are sharing costs appropriately.”
That includes some benefit cuts.
Dissette says the board of commissioners met last week to discuss the budget after hearing an initial proposal at an earlier workshop and asking for more cuts. The goal is to adopt the new budget on November 20.
