Quorum Court adopts 2026 budget with 1.87% increase; step raises and insurance funded

The Washington County Quorum Court approved an ordinance establishing the county's annual budget for the 2026 fiscal and calendar year, recording an overall 1.87% increase from the prior year.

Justice Lyons, who moved to pass the budget, said the budget kept millage rates below allowable caps and prioritized employee compensation. The court discussed measures adopted during the process: a continuation of a 5% step plan for employees, county coverage of health insurance increases so premiums would not rise for staff, and an accounting change to centralize some subscriptions in the IT department.

Justice Rio Stafford thanked staff and the comptroller for a thorough process and noted several amendments that were considered during committee work. She described operational changes included in the ordinance: moving the road department to leased Caterpillar graders to avoid a $1.6 million capital outlay and a change to require departments to return for funding once a position is filled rather than pre-allocating money for vacant positions.

Public commenters raised concerns: Bryson Austin warned of insufficient reporting on jail expansion costs and the resulting ongoing operating cost pressures; Sherry Main asked about unemployment claims after department reorganizations and questioned increases in training and travel budgets. Justice Koger highlighted constituent concern about sheriff's office allocations and said the budget did not adequately invest in evidence-based pretrial services.

On roll call the ordinance passed with the requisite votes and the court instructed staff to begin implementing step raises and budget provisions.

Officials said further review of planning-and-zoning codes and other procedural changes would continue after the holidays to address issues raised during the budget process.