Claiborne County adopts $21.92 million FY2026 budget; board says county millage unchanged

The Claiborne County Board of Supervisors approved a $21,920,068 budget for fiscal year 2026 at a public hearing on Sept. 12, 2025, and approved several related millage items, the board announced.

At the hearing, the board presented FY2026 revenue projections and funding priorities, saying about 27.2% of projected revenue — $5,961,138 as shown in the record — was expected to be financed through ad valorem (property) taxes. The presentation listed grants and planned spending for community marketing, parks, recreational facilities and the public library. The board said it did not intend to raise millage for county operations in the adopted budget.

Patricia Barnes of Port Gibson testified during the public-comment period that she did not see an allocation for the Chamber of Commerce in the county’s marketing plan and urged the board to increase funding and county involvement in chamber outreach. "I was the director of a Tri County Chamber of Commerce up in Michigan," Barnes said. A county speaker replied that chamber support for the current fiscal year was provided through advertising and deferred exact payment amounts to Miss Dawson.

Following public comments the board voted to adopt the FY2026 county budget. The board also approved a community college millage item recorded in the meeting as "in the amount of 4.55" and a Claiborne County School District millage item recorded in the meeting as 37.76. The record notes that Supervisor Dorsey did not vote on the school-district matter and did not participate in related discussions; other motions were moved and seconded as noted in the meeting record and carried by voice vote.

Board business concluded with a public statement that the adopted county budget did not include a tax increase for county operations, and the meeting was adjourned.