The Clay County Commission adopted the county's 2026 annual budget on Jan. 8, approving 2026 Ordinance 1A (county operating accounts) on a 6–0 roll-call vote and separately adopting Ordinance 1B (accounts associated with the Clay County Prosecutor's Office) on a 5–0 vote with one recusal.

County Administrator (presenting the budget) told the commission the proposed 2026 budget totals $183,249,505, down from the 2025 authorized total of $193,544,241. The administrator highlighted five strategic focus areas: safety and well-being, financial sustainability, economic opportunities, infrastructure, and employee recruitment and retention.

Budget highlights presented to the commission included a 2.7% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and a mid-year step increase for employees, a plan to add five new sheriff deputies and investments in vehicle and detention-facility replacements, a capital allocation for voting machines at the Clay County election board, fiber upgrades for road-and-bridge operations, and a roughly $40 million infrastructure allocation. The administrator also noted the county's rainy-day fund decreased from about $5.3 million to $4.9 million but remains above prior years.

The presentation covered grant agreements for airport taxiway and apron work, both structured as 95/5 state matches with initial design costs and county matching amounts stated: one design cost of $108,300 with a county match not to exceed $5,700, and another design cost of $174,800 with county matching funds not to exceed $9,200. The administrator reminded the commission that ARPA funds must be expended by 2026 under federal rules.

Commissioners used the budget discussion to raise several implementation questions and priorities. Commissioner Whittington proposed staff not renew certain Economic Development Council memberships and sponsorships (a $5,000 membership line was noted) pending a later discussion. Commission and staff also stressed the need to continue a compensation and classification study to address recruitment and retention.

Sheriff (unnamed in the transcript) addressed staffing and jail-capacity issues, reporting overtime of roughly $1.5 million in 2025 and urging that the county start an actionable plan for a long-term jail solution. Commissioners agreed that planning work should begin this year.

After discussion, Commissioner Johnson moved to approve 2026 Ordinance 1A; roll-call recorded six yes votes and the ordinance passed. Commissioner Johnson also moved for Ordinance 1B. Commissioner Thompson recused on the prosecutor's budget; the motion passed 5 in favor, 1 recusal.

The commission asked staff to provide additional updates on collector-office software/collections work and to return with more detailed implementation timelines for recruitment, compensation changes and capital planning for facilities.

Votes: 2026 Ordinance 1A passed 6–0; 2026 Ordinance 1B passed 5–0 with one recusal (Commissioner Thompson).