by Jackie Nunnery
HEATHSVILLE—Although the second quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year has just begun, volunteer finance facilitator Karen Pica on Thursday, October 9, told Northumberland supervisors that budget guidance should begin no later than November 1 for the fiscal year 2026-27 budget.
Guidance should include compensation increases of 0%, .25% and .5%; with the county covering health insurance increases; or both, said Pica. She further suggested that budgets be presented with actual expenses for 2024 and 2025 along with year-to-date figures for the current fiscal year. A budget calendar that includes completion of the budget by May also was recommended.
“We need to have conversations about what we can afford and not afford….
