The Summit County Council has adopted a $90.8 million budget for 2025, including a last-minute adjustment in compensation for elected officials.While department heads are eligible for a 3% pay bump each year based on a performance review conducted by the county manager, elected officials are not. These positions — the Summit County sheriff, county attorney and county councilors — only receive a cost-of-living adjustment.After a unanimous vote by the County Council last week, however, elected officials will now receive a 3% raise as well as a 3% cost-of-living adjustment in 2025.“With the work that’s being done and the high level of service that our independent electeds are doing and the time that this body puts into this, all of the different projects and things, I think that is warranted to be consistent with the rest of the staff,” said County Council Chair Malena Stevens.Other key highlights in the 2025 budget include a $1.2 million increase to continue funding mental health services and $612,000 in small business grants, as well as new positions in multiple county departments.Approximately one-third of the budget is allocated for public safety costs, including emergency services. In November, voters approved a 0.5% emergency services sales tax to help offset a projected $7 million funding gap.The sales tax is equivalent to one penny for every two dollars spent, although some items, like groceries, gas and prescription medications, are exempt. Chief Financial Officer Matt Leavitt estimated that in 2025, the tax would generate around $7 million. Starting in 2026, the tax could generate between $15 million and $17 million.The $90.8 million budget is an $8 million increase over last year and about $9 million less than what was originally requested.In October, County Manager Shayne Scott told the County Council that trimming and balancing the budget was difficult this year and that he expects the trend to continue into 2026.The County Council unanimously approved the budget last week.The post Summit County adopts $90.8 million budget for 2025; it’s $9 million less than first draft appeared first on Park Record.