Van Buren County quorum court adopts 2026 budget, approves several appropriations and emergency policy amendments
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Summary
The court adopted the 2026 operating budget (including 4% raises), approved appropriations to the 911 and solid-waste funds, authorized multiple transfers including sheriff budget adjustments, and acknowledged emergency clauses on two personnel-related ordinances.
Van Buren County’s Quorum Court voted to adopt the county’s annual operating budget for calendar year 2026 and approved a package of related ordinances and transfers during its recent meeting.
Sponsor Nikki Brown presented the 2026 operating budget, noting improved revenue and carryover projections, a general reserve above $2 million and the removal next year of a library subsidy that will reduce recurring support. The budget includes 4% across-the-board raises for county employees. After brief discussion, the court approved the budget by roll call.
Votes at a glance
- O-2024-54: Appropriation of $24,493.69 into the 911 fund (Fund 3020) to cover accumulated holiday and comp time; adopted by roll call (unanimous yes).
- Emergency O-2025-45: Emergency ordinance updating distribution of administration-of-justice funds pursuant to Act 317 of 2025; sponsor said Act 317 did not change distribution amounts and the ordinance serves an annual transparency requirement; court passed the ordinance and acknowledged its emergency clause so it takes immediate effect.
- O-2025-46: Appropriation to distribute payouts to employees who waived county-provided insurance for 2025; adopted as amended with an attached premium schedule (see separate article for details).
- O-2025-47: Annual operating budget for calendar year 2026 (includes 4% raises and projected carryover); adopted by roll call.
- O-2025-48: Increase revenues and appropriate $48,000 to the solid waste budget (Fund 3009); adopted by roll call.
- O-2025-49: Transfers within the sheriff’s office, detention center and SRO personal-services budgets to reallocate line items; adopted by roll call.
- Emergency O-2025-50: Emergency amendment to the Van Buren County personnel policy to clarify premium- and participation-related language; court approved and acknowledged the emergency clause for immediate effect.
Court procedure and housekeeping motions included agreeing to consider ordinances by title only, dispensing with audible reading of transfers, and adding an extra ordinance to the package. The court also announced a public event to mark the payoff of the library note scheduled for Jan. 15 at 5 p.m.
All recorded roll calls in the meeting returned affirmative votes for the items listed above as recorded on the meeting record; the court adjourned after allowing for public comment (none recorded).
