Union County commissioners approve multiple resolutions, adopt minutes and hear 2025 executive budget

The Union County Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted a group of resolutions numbered 2025-176 through 2025-234 and approved routine communications and minutes during the meeting.

Resolutions and minutes: The board voted 7-0 to adopt the listed resolutions after a motion by Commissioner B.J. Kowalski and a second by Commissioner Delasfort. Earlier in the meeting the board approved communications (7-0) on a motion by Commissioner Kowalski, seconded by Commissioner Williams.

Minutes approvals recorded several abstentions: the clerk stated the votes as follows for past meeting minutes:

- Jan. 6 reorganizational meeting minutes: 6 affirmative, 1 abstention. - Jan. 13 special meeting minutes: 5 affirmative, 2 abstentions. - Jan. 23 agenda session minutes: 5 affirmative, 2 abstentions. - Jan. 23 regular meeting minutes: 6 affirmative, 1 abstention.

Budget presentation: County Manager Joseph Oatman presented the 2025 executive budget materials and framed the county's fiscal position. Oatman said Union County has maintained a strong record of fiscal responsibility and highlighted multiple years of limited tax increases, saying the county had four consecutive years of a 0% tax increase and that a modest increase was necessary in 2024 to account for inflation and rising costs. He said the 2025 budget keeps the tax rate "stable" while maintaining services, and flagged a risk that potential federal funding cuts under a second presidential administration could affect county programs.

What happened next: With routine business concluded and the resolutions adopted, the meeting continued with public comment and departmental announcements. No budget vote occurred at the meeting; the manager's presentation was informational.