Island County commissioners will ask residents for their two cents on a proposed new tax, next year’s budget and a fireworks-related measure during a couple of big meetings in the week after Thanksgiving.

Based on previous discussions of the board, it appears likely commissioners may have a difference of opinion on the subjects.

On Monday, Dec. 1, the board will hold public hearings on the 2026 budget, real estate excise taxes and a proposed law-and-justice sales tax.

The draft $36 million current expense budget relies on the adoption of a new, one-tenth of 1% sales tax to remain balanced. At the start of the budget process, the commissioners were looking at a $1.3 million deficit for 2026. The sales tax, if adopted, would generate about $1.9 million a year, according to county official

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