Commission approves FY2026 budget amendments and personnel changes after improved tax collections

Wayne County commissioners approved several FY2026 budget amendments and personnel adjustments at their Jan. 5 meeting, actions the chair linked directly to improved tax‑collection performance.

The board voted to reverse a previously authorized higher salary for a deputy chief appraiser who did not accept the job and to set the starting salary at $65,000. The chair moved the change and commissioners approved the motion.

On the larger budget matter, staff presented proposed amendments that reallocated a 7 percent salary pool between assessor and tax commissioner offices. The chair highlighted a large drop in delinquent taxes, saying the county's unpaid delinquent amount fell from $4,173,630.25 (as of Dec. 1, 2024) to $610,146.49 (as of Jan. 1, 2025), and argued this improvement justified the recommended reallocations. "This is hundreds of phone calls... I just myself, I'll make the motion," the chair said, urging recognition of the tax commissioner's office efforts.

The board also approved a policy for the tax assessors board establishing attendance and training requirements (no more than two missed meetings per calendar year and current required training hours to receive monthly stipends). Finance staff reported November revenues of $10,287,681.98 and expenditures of $2,519,274.91 and provided a snapshot of fund balances, including a general fund balance of $10,903,392.07.

All motions on these budget and personnel items were moved, seconded, and approved during the meeting; commissioners asked for monitoring and for staff to report on implementation where appropriate.