The Jackson County Legislature voted to accept a floor amendment to the county's 2025 budget ordinance Friday, with eight members voting yes and one abstention.

Legislator Franklin, chair of the budget committee, moved to accept the amendment on the floor. "I would like to move to accept the amendment," Franklin said. The motion was seconded by Legislator Anderson.

The amendment modifies the baseline of the proposed 2025 budget ordinances (identified in the meeting as Ordinance 5985, an amendment to the 2025 amended budget adopted 12/31/2024, and Ordinance 5986, to adopt the annual 2025 budget). After discussion, the clerk called the roll. Anderson, Peyton, Marsha, Abarca, Huskin, Franklin, Lauer and McGee were recorded as voting yes; Legislator Smith recorded, "I'll abstain." The clerk announced the result as "8 yes, 1 abstention," and the chair declared the amendment accepted.

During discussion several members said they had not received the most recent circulating changes. Franklin and staff said copies had been sent the previous day and that paper budget books and an amendment copy were in members' mailboxes; the counsel's office and the clerk also provided copies at the meeting. The chair said any outstanding differences would be circulated again that day.

The legislature also set the next steps on the budget: a public hearing on Monday, June 9, at 1:30 p.m., followed by a final passage vote at the legislature's 3:00 p.m. session the same day. The chair said the next regular legislative meeting is scheduled for June 2 at 3 p.m. in the Downtown County Courthouse.

A representative of the Jackson County Executive's Office, Clifford, thanked the legislature for its work during the budget process. "I just wanted to thank you on behalf of the County Executive for the positive movement that happened today," Clifford said.

The acceptance of the floor amendment changes the ordinance baseline; the legislature will consider the full, amended ordinance at the scheduled June 9 final passage session.