(GRANTS PASS, OR) — On Friday, May 30, 2025, the Josephine County Budget Committee will convene at 10:00 a.m. in the Anne Basker Auditorium for a public meeting aimed at reviewing and discussing the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget. The session, organized by the county’s Finance Department, will also include opportunities for members of the public to comment on the proposed spending plan.
The meeting serves as the first in what could be a series of deliberations focused on shaping the county’s financial priorities for the coming fiscal year. Budget Committee members include Commissioners Chris Barnett, Andreas Blech, and Ron Smith, along with citizen members Chad Hansen, Marc Kirby, and Joseph Rice. The county’s Finance Director, Ruth Nelson, will serve as the designated Budget Officer and is scheduled to present both the official Budget Message and the full Proposed Budget for the upcoming year.
The agenda begins with the formal opening of the meeting by Commissioner Andreas Blech, who currently serves as Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. One of the first orders of business will be the election of a new Chair for the Budget Committee, followed by the selection of a Vice Chair or Secretary. These leadership roles are expected to help facilitate discussion, maintain order during deliberations, and ensure accurate documentation of committee actions throughout the budgeting process.
A key item on the agenda is Nelson’s presentation of the proposed budget, which will outline expected revenues, department expenditures, and major financial commitments for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The presentation will likely set the tone for subsequent discussions about potential funding priorities, resource constraints, and public service investments.
In addition to reviewing the financial proposals, the committee will be tasked with establishing a calendar for future meetings. The proposed next meeting date is June 4, 2025, with a full-day session scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During that time, the committee may hear additional presentations from various departments or agencies, although the exact schedule of presentations will be determined by the committee itself.
The meeting will also include a public comment period, during which residents can voice their thoughts on the proposed budget. Each speaker will be limited to three minutes, and further opportunities for public input may be scheduled at later meetings, depending on the committee’s deliberation schedule and overall progress.
This annual budgeting process is a cornerstone of local governance, offering transparency into how taxpayer dollars will be allocated across county operations—including public safety, infrastructure, health services, and administrative functions. As cost pressures continue to affect counties across Oregon, this year’s budget discussions may feature difficult decisions about spending cuts, revenue generation, and prioritization of services.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend the May 30 meeting, especially those interested in how the county plans to navigate the upcoming fiscal year. For additional information, including questions about the proposed budget or meeting procedures, citizens may contact Finance Director Ruth Nelson at (541) 474-5222 or visit www.josephinecounty.gov.