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Commissioners seek emergency legislation to avert using 2025 budget for 2026
Summary
Commissioners said quorum loss on the county budget committee forced the county to pursue emergency legislation to permit adoption of a 2026 budget; they described rapid drafting, legislative council acceptance, and a public hearing to follow.
A commissioner reported that Knox County must pursue emergency state legislation to avoid starting 2026 on the 2025 budget after the county budget committee failed to achieve a quorum.
The commissioner said the loss of quorum left the county unable to form a new local budget and "the only path forward that would allow us to create a new budget at all in 2026 is the legislative path." He said county staff submitted draft bill language to the reviser's office in time for legislative council review and that the council gave the draft "overwhelmingly positive support," though the measure is not final.
Why it matters: without legislative relief, the county would be required to operate the 2026 fiscal year on the 2025 budget, which officials said would be "not a positive thing for the county." The draft includes an emergency preamble that, if retained, would allow immediate enactment; if committee edits remove that language, enactment could be delayed (the speaker noted a possible 90-day wait after the legislature adjourns).
The commissioner described next steps: the bill will seek county delegation cosponsors, likely be referred to the State and Local committee, and include a public hearing with at least 10 days' notice. He asked the commission to back rapid action so a new county budget could be in place by mid-2026 if the emergency language survives committee review.
Commissioners debated whether the county should accept a legislative fix as a permanent remedy or pursue a charter amendment instead. One commissioner argued for a permanent legislative change to prevent recurrence; the Chair said she preferred a charter amendment, saying the charter is the product of local home-rule and should not be replaced by permanent legislative power.
The commission agreed to continue work with the county legislative delegation and to prepare revised language promptly if required. A public hearing and further commission discussion were slated as the bill progresses through the legislature.
