County taxpayers face a 3.3% increase in the property tax levy next year under the proposed 2027 budget announced Monday. Spending in the operating budget would increase 6.9% to $2.713 billion, driven in large part by a 6.8% increase in social services spending and a 10.8% increase in health insurance costs.

Spending would increase even as the county strives to cut costs, including by eliminating funding for 300 vacant positions. The largest increases include a rise in social services spending from $747.8 million to $798.5 million and a boost in transportation spending from $233.2 million to $257.5 million, including funding for Bee-Line and paratransit services.

The budget projects a 19% increase in state aid and a 3.9% reduction in federal aid.

“I would not balance this budget on promises that we cannot keep. I’m not going to jeopardize the services you depend on just to deliver a politically convenient headline,” Jenkins said in announcing the budget.