Camden County approves FY2026 county budget after amendments to hiring and vehicle purchases

The Camden County Board of Commissioners approved the county-wide fiscal year 2026 budget on Tuesday after voting to amend several personnel and capital items and after finance staff reported insurance premium updates that reduced planned expenses.

Nancy Gonzales, finance staff, told commissioners the county's proposed budgets cover all 18 funds for fiscal year 2026 and that the total of those funds as presented in the meeting packet was "$85,000,984,107." She said the budgets were balanced using the current millage rate and an estimated 2025 digest and that final insurance premiums produced expense reductions—$168,566 in risk management (department 1557) and $5,775 in workers' compensation (department 1556)—which reduced the general fund's planned use of fund balance to $834,670 "as presented." Gonzales also noted the budgets had been advertised and that a public hearing was held June 12.

Commissioners discussed additional cuts and timing for hires. The board voted to fund three positions—the emergency management (EMA) position, a fleet mechanic position and a parts runner—at 75% of the requested level and to move the purchase of the EMA vehicle to fiscal year 2027. Gonzales calculated the immediate savings from those changes at approximately $90,207.25, lowering projected fund-balance use to roughly $744,463.

Commissioners also considered funding for a project manager position. After discussion about near-term construction oversight needs, the board approved funding the project manager position at 75% of the requested level; a commissioner asked staff to calculate the dollar impact for the official record.

One commissioner moved to remove any monies designated for the development of a general aviation airport from the budget; that motion received a second, was discussed, and then failed when the board left the funding in place. The transcript records that the funding "remains in." The final motion to approve the fiscal year 2026 budget as amended passed; the meeting record notes the motion carried but does not include a roll-call vote tally in the transcript.

During the debate, commissioners and department staff cautioned that some positions—specifically the project manager—may be needed when selected construction projects move from planning into construction. Public comment sections on the budget items produced no registered speakers.

The board adjourned after approving the budget and reminded the public of an unrelated sheriff's town hall being held at the Resiliency Center.