Budget committee backs status-quo FY2026 plan, budgets contingency for $50 volunteer fire per-diem and shifts funds to schools

The Budget and Finance Committee met June 3 and recommended the county's proposed fiscal 2026 operating plan with no across-the-board employee raises, while budgeting contingent funds tied to a separate Emergency Services resolution that would raise volunteer fire and rescue per-diem pay to $50 per day. Committee members also approved a motion to reallocate two cents of property-tax revenue from the ambulance fund (Fund 118) to the school fund (Fund 141) to cover a requested education supplement.

The committee's action matters because it shapes what the full commission will vote on and affects school budgets, volunteer emergency responders and county employees. Committee members said they set salaries in the draft budget close to status quo so the Commission could consider outstanding resolutions and tax options before final adoption.

Committee chair Ford, who led the session, opened the meeting with an overview of the proposed fund balances, reading estimated ending balances for multiple funds and noting a $2,000,086 estimated net decrease in Fund 101 (general fund). Finance staff read line-item balances and answered procedural questions about debt service and principal payments.

The committee discussed a separate Emergency Services resolution that requests increasing volunteer…