Roane County Commission approves FY2026 budget recommendations, sets tax rates and tightens public-comment rules

The Roane County Commission approved the countys fiscal-year 2026 budget recommendations, fixed the county tax levy and passed multiple appropriation resolutions during a June special-call meeting, and adopted an amended public-comment policy that limits speakers to three minutes and confines remarks to matters germane to the commissions jurisdiction.

A county official opened the hearing on the budget and announced that "as of 35 minutes ago, we officially have a certified tax rate. And it is exactly what is in our proposed budget," providing the baseline the commission used when adopting levy and appropriation motions. Later in the meeting the certified tax rates were read for the public: "outside the cities the new rate is 1.4987, and inside the cities will be 1.4523." Those levy resolutions and related appropriation motions passed by recorded voice votes (motions recorded as carrying with 14 yes votes on multiple items).

The meeting included an extended procedural exchange over whether the session was a limited "special call" or the committees routine annual meeting; county counsel advised that a special-call notice limits the items that can be taken up, while a regular meeting permits broader "cleanup" items to be considered. "If it's a regular meeting, you can take up anything," the county attorney said while explaining notice and open-meetings constraints.

The most contested item was Resolution 062501, which would set rules for public comments at county commission meetings. Commissioner Brackett proposed an amendment that would have allowed any speaker but stop livestreaming during the public-comment portion and impose a three-minute limit; that amendment failed on a roll-call tally recorded as "6 yeses, 8 noes." The commission then considered a different amendment that read, in part, that "the public comment period is intended to allow the public to share input, ideas, and concerns germane to the jurisdiction of the Roane County Commission" and that disruptive behavior would result in forfeiture of the speakers remaining time. That amendment passed on roll call 14-0, and the resolution as amended was approved by voice vote (recorded as carried, 14 yes).

Commissioners emphasized steps to balance public access with decorum: some members urged continuing full livestreaming of meetings to maximize transparency, while others sought clearer, consistently enforced rules and a code of conduct to be read or provided at entry. The county attorney clarified that livestreaming is not legally required unless members participate electronically, and that the commission may adopt reasonable rules governing public comment.

Other budget-related motions carried with little debate. A motion to approve a tax-later resolution and the 2025 appropriation resolution were moved, seconded and recorded as carried by voice vote. Multiple appropriation adjustments across general and special funds were also approved, all recorded as passing (motions recorded as carrying with 14 yes votes).

The meeting closed after routine business and a clarification that state, not county, funds would cover the cost of the Republican primary. The adopted levy and appropriation resolutions will be reflected in the countys FY2026 budget documents and the certified tax rate announced at the meeting.