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Russell County fiscal court adopts FY2026 budget and hears first reading of amendment to jail fund
Summary
The Russell County Fiscal Court adopted its fiscal year 2026 budget at second reading, approving appropriations across general, road, jail and special funds. The court also heard a first reading of a budget amendment increasing jail receipts and appropriations tied to county and state inmate revenues.
The Russell County Fiscal Court adopted an ordinance approving the county's fiscal year 2026 budget in a unanimous second-reading vote, formalizing appropriations across the general, road, jail and multiple special funds.
The ordinance, read at the meeting, lists the principal appropriations: General Fund $4,766,136; Road Fund $1,932,471; Jail Fund $2,285,106; Local Government Economic Assistance (LGA) Fund $19,900; ASAP Fund $135,000; Emergency Shelter Fund $9,606; ARPA Fund $719,010; Tourism Fund $400,000; Dispatch Fund $696,585; Airport General Fund $327,600; Airport Project Fund $2,009,831; Airport Fuel Fund $94,075; ADC Fund $97,643; Opioid Settlement Account $617,453; Clerk Storage Account $125,498.
The ordinance requires publication by title and summary in the local newspaper within 30 days and takes effect upon passage and publication, per the language read into the record.
The court voted on the second reading after a motion to adopt was made and seconded; the judge asked for voice votes and the clerk recorded the ayes.
Separately, the court took a first reading of a budget amendment for fiscal year 2024'5 (amendment language as presented) that would add unbudgeted receipts and corresponding appropriations for the jail fund. The amendment as read increases jail receipts by itemized amounts: $22,722.42 (unnamed source), $51,301.34 (state inmates), and $155,003 (other county inmates), with total additional receipts presented as $116,136.79 (figure as read in the packet) to be placed in reserve for transfer. The court noted this was the first reading and that statutory notice requirements applied.
Also on the financial side of the meeting, the court approved a transfer of $75,000 from the General Fund to the Jail Fund by motion and voice vote.
The court conducted routine approvals earlier in the meeting, including acceptance of minutes, payment of bills and receipt reports from the detention center and sheriff's office for April; those items were handled by motion and voice votes.
Ending: The fiscal court indicated staff would complete required publication steps and return for the budget amendment's second reading per local procedures.
