Campbell County holds state‑required public hearing on proposed FY26 budget; residents raise election staffing and compensation concerns

Campbell County opened a state‑required public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, during which residents urged more election staffing and board members probed rising compensation costs and next steps on a proposed transient‑occupancy tax.

Administrator Rogers told the board the hearing was the formal, state‑mandated public hearing on the FY26 budget and reminded members they could not adopt the budget that night: "This is our annual event, our public hearing for the consideration of the upcoming fiscal year budget. . . . So this evening, we're here to hear from the community about their thoughts on the budget. You cannot take action on the budget tonight." The board opened the hearing at 7:03 p.m. and closed it at 7:25 p.m.

Don Wooldridge, who said he serves on the county electoral board, asked the board to consider adding a full‑time position and raises for current registrar staff to reduce turnover and preserve continuity. "We had seek funding for an additional full time staff and…