Miller County committee approves FY2026 budget to forward to quorum court

The Miller County quorum court committee voted to adopt the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and will forward the measure to the full quorum court for final passage next Monday.

Ernest (presiding officer of the quorum court, last name not provided in the transcript) opened the meeting saying the panel’s main purpose was “to approve the budget” as updated by clerk Carla. He told members Carla had incorporated a single minor correction from a caller and that the committee should not have extensive further discussion.

Why it matters: The committee’s approval starts the formal local process that leads to the county’s operating budgets for the coming year. The committee also must present a separate millage ordinance next week to set property tax rates that will fund county services.

Committee discussion focused on revenue estimates, carryover and reserves. Ernest provided county-general figures, saying the committee had about $8,737,000 available for appropriation and a total county-general income figure of $9,452,000. Theresa, who presented a year-to-year comparison, said the committee’s 90% spending estimate would amount to an additional $584,676.04 for next year compared with the FY2025 anticipated amount: “The difference is…we are anticipating that 90% more would be $584,676.04,” she said.

Clerk Carla advised members that a bill run scheduled for the following day would clarify remaining balances and that many of the remaining changes would be internal transfers, such as moving salary savings to cover insurance costs. On a planned vehicle purchase, members agreed the exact source of funds would depend on the bills and balances that appear after the run; Ernest said if needed the county could use reserves and noted the committee could transfer dollars within the budget structure rather than making a new appropriation.

A committee member moved to adopt the FY2026 budget “as presented here.” The motion was seconded and the committee conducted a voice vote. A committee member said “aye” and Ernest stated the budget “has passed the committee unanimously” and that it would be presented to the quorum court for passage at the next meeting.

The clerk said the millage ordinance would be prepared within a few days and ready for the next Monday night meeting, with publishing deadlines midweek. The committee adjourned after completing its business.

What’s next: The committee’s budget and accompanying millage ordinance are scheduled for consideration by the full quorum court next Monday night; the clerk expected to have the ordinance ready and any minor year-end adjustments identified after the next bill run.