Russell County Fiscal Court holds first reading of $14.5 million budget; discusses hazardous-duty pay and approves $100,000 transfer to jail

Russell County Fiscal Court on April 14 completed a first reading of its fiscal year 2025–26 budget, which the court presented with a total appropriation of $14,535,914 across multiple funds, and discussed how to cover recurring hazardous-duty pay and other rising expenses.

The budget document, read aloud during the meeting, lists the general fund at $4,766,136, the road fund at $1,932,471, the jail fund at $2,285,106, an ARPA fund of $719,010 and an opioid settlement account fund at $617,453, among other line items. The document states the ordinance "shall be published in a local newspaper by title and summary within 30 days following adoption" and that it becomes effective upon passage and publication. The reading was presented as the first reading; no final adoption vote was taken at the meeting.

Court members spent significant time discussing hazardous-duty pay for county employees. Court members said the county has seen insurance cost increases and that the budget committee must determine a sustainable approach so hazardous-duty payments are not a one-time allocation. Court members asked budget committee members Nikki and Steve to provide figures so any changes can be incorporated before the final vote. Court staff noted changes between first and second readings must be communicated quickly because the Department for Local Government (DLG) and the state local finance officer must sign off, and the second reading and publication deadlines create a 30-day timeline for the county to finalize changes.

On recurring expenditures, the court approved a motion giving county offices authority to pay routine monthly bills, including utility bills, so payments can be handled without bringing each voucher to the court. That authorization was passed by voice vote.

The court also approved a transfer of $100,000 from the general fund to the jail fund for jail expenses. The motion to transfer funds was made and seconded during the meeting and recorded as passed.

The county clerk/staff emphasized that if the court decides to add recurring hazardous-duty payments after the first reading, staff would need the details within about a week so the changes can be reflected in the finalized budget and routed to the DLG for approval.

Votes at the meeting included routine approvals of minutes and bills and the budget’s first reading (no adoption). The court indicated it could hold a special (called) meeting if it needed to revise the proposed budget before the second reading.

The fiscal court scheduled follow-up work: the budget committee will supply numbers for potential hazardous-duty pay, and county staff will prepare revised line items if the court decides to add recurring payments before the second reading. No final appropriations or policy changes were adopted at this first reading.