Jackson County adopts tentative millage rate and $126.6 million tentative budget; residents protest insurance no-bid

The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners adopted a tentative millage rate of 7.945 mills and approved a tentative county budget of $126,617,193 (net of transfers) for fiscal year 2025–26 by resolution during its public meeting.

County staff explained the millage proposal as the rate needed to fund the proposed budget; staff said that 7.945 mills represents an increase of 1.88% over the current-year rollback rate of 7.7982 mills and that the stated purpose of the increase is to "maintain current services under the jurisdiction of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners and other county constitutional officers." Following the presentation, the board opened the floor for public comment and then adopted the tentative millage and the tentative budget by unanimous consent.

During public comment, multiple residents objected to aspects of the proposed budget and urged changes. Julie Stazcliffe (resident) was recorded as opposing the budget. Karen Shone (resident of Greenwood) said she opposed the budget "as long as there are no bids available for the insurance," arguing citizens should be able to review multiple insurance packages. "By not having a bid, you've taken away our choice," Shone said. Another speaker, identified as Sally Baptist (resident), likewise expressed concern about costs. County staff members present noted the budget is posted on the county website but clarified that the posted budget remains a tentative document until final adoption.

The board set the final budget hearing for Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at 5:01 p.m.

Votes at a glance
- Tentative millage rate: Adopted (motion moved by Dr. Spires; second by Mr. Craigfield). Adopted by unanimous consent; individual recorded votes not provided in the transcript.
- Tentative county budget ($126,617,193 net of transfers): Adopted by unanimous consent; individual recorded votes not provided in the transcript.

The meeting record includes resident concerns focused on the county's insurance procurement process; residents asked the board to require competitive bids for insurance rather than continue with a no-bid arrangement. The board did not take a separate procedural vote on insurance procurement during this meeting; staff said the budget and millage were being adopted as tentative measures and that the final adoption would be addressed at the Sept. 23 hearing.