Rhea County Commission approves budget amendments, appoints Jeff McDaniel to 9‑1‑1 board

The Rhea County Commission met Feb. 17, 2026, in Dayton and approved a series of budget amendments affecting the county general fund and multiple departmental budgets, and appointed Jeff McDaniel to the Rhea County 9‑1‑1 Emergency Communications District Board.

Finance Director Ralph Beck presented Amendments #65 through #74 to Fund 101 (county general fund) and additional amendments affecting Solid Waste (Fund 116), Highway (Fund 131) and school funds (Fund 141 and Fund 144). The changes covered purchases and reallocations including a five‑year Aruba jail Wi‑Fi subscription, health‑insurance allocations for county employees, emergency management equipment reimbursements, contributions recommended by the Opioid Committee to community agencies, and an interfund transfer to purchase paving equipment for the Highway Department. Commissioners moved and approved each amendment; motions were carried by uplifted hand votes with Commissioner Thedford recorded absent.

The meeting also approved Resolution #26‑02‑08 to fill an unexpired seat on the county 9‑1‑1 board. "The Board has recommended that Jeff McDaniel be appointed to serve this term," the resolution reads; the motion to appoint McDaniel was made by Commissioner Stephens and seconded by Commissioner Welch and carried unanimously (AYE: all; ABSENT: Thedford).

Why it matters: The adopted amendments reallocate existing budgeted resources to cover equipment and operating needs across county functions, while the 9‑1‑1 appointment fills a statutory seat on the Emergency Communications District governing board.

What commissioners said and next steps: Commissioners did not debate the individual amendments in extended floor discussion; Finance Director Ralph Beck provided line‑item explanations attached to the agenda and the approved amendments become part of the FY2025‑26 appropriations. The commission recorded motions and seconders on the public record and voted to adopt each amendment. The appointments and budget changes take effect as ordered and will be reflected in county accounting schedules and the next monthly financial reports.

Actions at a glance: • Approved Amendments #65–#74 (Fund 101) and related school and departmental amendments; • Approved Amendment #5 (Fund 116 Solid Waste), Amendment #6 (Fund 131 Highway), Amendments #13–#16 (Fund 141 schools), Amendment #3 (Fund 144 schools); • Adopted Resolution #26‑02‑08 appointing Jeff McDaniel to the Rhea County 9‑1‑1 Emergency Communications District Board (term expiring Aug. 31, 2027).