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Franklin County begins first reading of comprehensive administrative code overhaul amid debate over transparency
Summary
The fiscal court held the first reading of a major revision to Chapter 30 (administrative code). Staff said the draft was developed over many committee meetings; several members praised the update while others raised concerns that draft materials had not been broadly available prior to public circulation, prompting a commitment to review edits before the next meeting.
Franklin County’s Fiscal Court conducted the first reading of an extensive update to the county administrative code (Chapter 30) on Dec. 18, 2025. County attorneys and staff described a multi‑year committee review and said the revision codifies updated procedures for administration, fiscal affairs, purchasing, personnel and county services.
County Attorney (Max) and committee members traced the project’s timeline back to 2023 and said department heads and staff provided sustained input. Supporters said the revisions bring county code into alignment with current statutes and administrative practice and streamline language.
However, several fiscal court members and members of the public raised concerns about the timing and distribution of draft documents. Squire Wissman and others said they had asked for dedicated full‑court walk‑throughs of the draft; some staff and members countered that drafts were provided in June and July and that departmental stakeholders had been involved. Multiple speakers asked that proposed edits and public documents be published clearly online and that the court ensure employees and the public have full access before final readings.
Judge Mueller said this was the first reading and that additional revisions could be proposed at the next meeting on Jan. 7. The court did not vote on final adoption during this session; members agreed to allow time for review and additional input prior to a second reading.
