SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - St. Joseph County Council held a public hearing which included the reading of the county’s proposed budget for next year.

The balanced budget for 2026 is just over $90 million.

It’s an increase of more than $1,400 which is one percent up from 2025.

The county police department, county jail, and general services are some of the groups projected to receive an increase in general funds.

A large portion of the 2026 budget’s revenue will come from property and local income taxes.

During his presentation, the St. Joseph County auditor John Murphy highlighted a few other initiatives in the budget.

“Generally, no pay increases for employees. There are just a few that are sprinkled in the budget for, generally speaking, there is no pay increases in the budget. Achiev

See Full Page