County Braces for $500,000 General Fund Deficit as Departments Seek Staff

Montgomery County Board Finance & Budget Committee Meeting | June 4, 2026

Article Summary: County Board Administration told the Montgomery County Board Finance & Budget Committee on June 4 that the coming audit could reveal a General Fund deficit of around $500,000 for FY2025, and Treasurer Nikki Lohman said she anticipates limited levy flexibility for FY2027 — a backdrop against which two department heads pressed the committee for additional staff.

FY2027 Budget Key Points:

• County Board Administration anticipates the audit could reveal a General Fund deficit of around $500,000 for FY2025.
• Treasurer Nikki Lohman anticipates limited levy flexibility for FY2027.
• Maintenance Director Phil Ernst described the need for a third staff member, citing work absorbed from former contract agreements and other departments, plus two new buildings bringing the county’s total to 11.
• The committee instructed Ernst to put the additional staff in his budget request, with a decision to be made during the budget process.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY — Montgomery County’s forthcoming audit could show a General Fund deficit of roughly $500,000 for FY2025, County Board Administration told the Finance & Budget Committee on Thursday, June 4, 2026, as the committee began weighing staffing requests from two departments against a levy the treasurer expects to offer little room.

The committee met at 8:33 a.m. in the County Board Room on the second floor of the Historic Courthouse, #1 Courthouse Square, Hillsboro. Committee Chair Connie Beck led the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Beck, Chris Daniels, Rob Corso, Dr. Patty Whitworth and Evan Young were present; Doug Donaldson was absent. No one spoke during public comment.

Treasurer Nikki Lohman also anticipates limited levy flexibility for FY2027, according to the minutes. The two figures — an anticipated deficit and a constrained levy — framed the committee’s budget discussion.

Maintenance Presses for a Third Position

Maintenance Director Phil Ernst described the need to add a third staff member in FY2027, citing a workload increase from responsibilities his office has taken on from former contract agreements and from other departments, as well as the addition of two new buildings bringing the county’s total to 11.

The committee instructed Ernst to put the additional staff in his budget request, and a decision would be made during the budget process. No motion or vote was recorded on the request.

Ernst had brought a 66-item maintenance report to the Buildings & Grounds Committee two days earlier, on June 2, in which he reported completing 43 work orders in May, described a lengthy effort to clear a blocked sewer line at the Montgomery County Jail, and reported that mower problems had required contracting the mowing out to Yount Mowing.

A Second Department Asking

Ernst’s was not the only staffing request before the committee. Members reviewed and discussed an Information Services Growth Report provided by Director Curt Watkins, along with a request for a new experienced employee as soon as possible.

The committee asked Watkins to begin searching for a candidate. If one is available this fiscal year, a budget amendment may be required; Lohman will check with auditors regarding the possibility and procedure.

That report had reached the committee by referral. At the Coordinating Committee’s May 28 meeting, Watkins reviewed the same growth report — documenting increases since 2020 including a 300% rise in remote users, a 228.6% rise in VLANs and the department leading 61.3% of county grant projects — and that committee referred its recommendations, including adding a qualified tech professional, to Finance & Budget.

What the Record Does Not Say

The minutes do not state a cost for either requested position, do not give the General Fund’s size or its FY2025 budgeted figure, and do not explain what drove the anticipated deficit. They do not quantify the “limited levy flexibility” Lohman anticipates, identify the two new buildings that brought the county’s total to 11, or name the former contract agreements whose work Ernst’s office absorbed.

Neither budget item drew a motion. Lohman told the Coordinating Committee on May 28 that she anticipates FY2027 budget packets going out in June, and told this committee she anticipates audit reports will be presented in July.

The committee adjourned at 10:28 a.m. Minutes were submitted by acting secretary Mike Plunkett, as deputized by County Clerk/Recorder Sandy Leitheiser.