Dr. Harriet Harrell, speaking during the budget portion of Tuesday’s meeting, told commissioners the county’s budget should be guided by a strategic planning process that includes elected officials, residents and community stakeholders.

"A budget is a moral document," Harrell said, adding that a county choosing very low tax rates should be honest about the services that will not be funded. She urged the court to publish values, select top priorities and adopt a rolling three‑year framework with measurable outcomes and public reporting.

Commissioners acknowledged the point; the court’s budget staff said there are follow‑up workshops on FY‑26 and that several budget items will return for additional discussion.

Why it matters: Harrell’s comments reinforce calls from civic leaders for more transparent, outcome‑focused budgeting in rapidly growing counties where tax, service and infrastructure tradeoffs are politically sensitive.