COLDWATER, Mich. (WLKI)- Branch County officials say the county's financial outlook has improved dramatically, with the 2026 budget now projected to finish in the black following a strong second quarter.
Finance Director and Deputy County Administrator Jessica Miller presented the updated budget outlook during Thursday's Branch County Board of Commissioners work session.
Miller said the county has gone from projecting a more than $302,000 deficit after the first quarter to an estimated $305,000 surplus following a series of second-quarter budget amendments.
She credited the turnaround primarily to higher-than-expected property tax collections and adjustments that better reflect current departmental spending.
"The improvement is largely attributable to higher-than-budgeted property tax revenue and departmental budget adjustments that more accurately reflect current operations," Miller told commissioners.
According to the updated budget figures, county revenues increased by more than $529,000 during the second quarter.
The largest increase came from more than $671,000 in additional current property tax revenue, reflecting the county's final tax levy.
The county also realized about $191,400 in savings after eliminating District and Circuit Court reimbursements for two Sheriff's Department bailiff positions. Those changes resulted in an additional appropriation decrease of more than $78,000 from a first-quarter budget amendment.
Miller also noted that one bailiff position and its associated costs were transferred to the county jail budget, further helping balance the county's finances.
The updated projections place Branch County in a significantly stronger financial position heading into the remainder of the 2026 budget year, with officials continuing to monitor revenues and expenditures throughout the year.