Plumas County plans to start the 2026-2027 fiscal year with a $182.9 million budget recommended by county supervisors and department heads.
The Board of Supervisors will hold final budget hearings at 10 a.m. on Sept. 14. Department heads will meet with supervisors to finalize the spending plan that will guide county finances for the next year.
Most of the $182.9 million comes from state, federal, grant, special-revenue, and other funds that must pay for specific programs. Governmental funds make up $168.1 million of the budget.
The general fund, which supports core county operations like public safety and health, receives $61.4 million. Special revenue funds, tied to mandated services, account for $102.9 million. The budget also includes $0.4 million for debt service and $3.3 million for capital improvements.
The 2027 general fund budget remains close to the 2026 budget. It shows a 0.27% revenue increase, which reduces the projected deficit slightly. Instead of a $6.1 million gap, the county faces a $5.9 million deficit if supervisors approve the plan.
County Administrative Officer Dan Pargee has worked with department heads and the budget team since June to review spending. They focused on balancing expenses with revenues and making tough choices to limit the general fund deficit. Pargee expects no major surprises during the hearings.
The budget moves the county closer to resolving a longstanding general fund imbalance but leaves a $5.9 million shortfall. After setting aside $1.1 million for one-time capital costs and $250,000 for contingency, the structural deficit stands at about $4.6 million. This number could shrink after final hearings.
The budget also projects tax revenue rising from $23.1 million in 2026 to $25.66 million in 2027. The board of supervisors’ salaries would increase from $668,406 to $763,438. The county fair department’s funding grows by nearly 10% to $1.1 million, while funding for senior transportation drops 1% to $678,656.
Budget hearings will run from Sept. 14 to Sept. 16, with the final adoption scheduled for Sept. 29.
How will the county handle the remaining deficit? What services might face cuts if revenues don’t grow as expected? County residents will want to follow the budget discussions closely.
