Blount County budget committee forwards FY2025-26 tax rate, appropriation and capital priorities to commission; multiple budget adjustments approved

The Blount County Budget Committee voted unanimously June 12 to forward three recommended fiscal-year 2025-26 resolutions — the tax levy, the annual appropriation and the capital outlay priorities — to the county commission with favorable recommendations and no changes to the proposed rates or spending levels.

The action followed a public hearing on the three resolutions required by state law; no members of the public spoke. Committee members also approved a series of separate budget increases, capital appropriations for schools, courthouse projects, and two multi-year information-technology contracts, each forwarded to the commission workshop with favorable recommendations.

At the start of the meeting Brian Baldwin, serving as chair for the session, noted the public hearing and said the proposed budget had been published in the Daily Times on May 8, 2025, as required by state law. He said the recommended FY2025-26 package includes no tax increase, no new debt and reflects a balanced budget for Blount County for the coming fiscal year.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 25-6001, "Resolution fixing the tax levy in Blount County, Tennessee for the year beginning 07/01/2025": moved forward with a favorable recommendation (vote: 4 yes, 0 no; 1 absent). - Resolution 2056002, "A resolution making appropriations for the various funds, departments, institutions, offices, and agencies of Blount County, Tennessee for the year beginning 07/01/2025 and ending 06/30/2026": moved forward with a favorable recommendation (vote: 4 yes, 0 no; 1 absent). - Resolution 2056003, "A resolution…