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Budget committee advances FY2026 baseline: 3% raises approved; landfill permit delays drive major solid‑waste cost increases
Summary
Claiborne County budget committee approved a 3% across‑the‑board salary increase as a baseline, continued consideration of a longevity pay bonus, and amended and approved the solid‑waste (Fund 116) budget after landfill permit delays likely force shipping waste offsite and an estimated $300,000 disposal cost increase.
Claiborne County’s Public Budget Committee approved a package of preliminary FY2026 budget moves in mid‑ to late March 2025, including a committee‑wide baseline 3% salary increase and amendments to the county’s solid‑waste (Fund 116) budget to reflect rising disposal costs tied to landfill permitting delays.
Salary action and longevity proposal: The committee voted unanimously to approve a 3% salary increase baseline for county employees to be included in FY2026 budget submissions. Separately, the committee reviewed a proposed longevity pay program—$100 per year of service, first paid after five continuous years, capped at $2,000, paid on the employee anniversary date as a non‑base bonus—and received cost estimates (approximately $139,700 if implemented in FY2026). The committee did not adopt longevity pay during these meetings and left the item for further consideration.
Solid‑waste pressure and Fund 116 changes: The committee approved an amended Fund 116 budget ($2,884,355) after landfill director Makenley Barker told the committee the existing landfill is likely to be full in three to four months and that delays in a new landfill permit from TDEC will require shipping construction and demolition waste offsite. Barker estimated a likely 15% increase in disposal contract costs and an approximate $300,000 increase in waste‑disposal expense for FY2026. The committee adjusted line items and revenue estimates and approved the amended Fund 116 budget unanimously.
Revenue risk and property‑tax implications: Finance Director Eric Pearson presented a consolidated view of revenue and noted the current package of committee actions would increase property‑tax revenue needs by roughly $927,445 (about 13.55 pennies on the tax rate) across several funds. He cautioned that interest‑earnings revenue—which buoyed recent years—appears likely to fall as T‑bill rates and fund balances decline, creating risk for closing FY2026 without additional fund‑balance withdrawals.
Other actions: The committee approved numerous departmental line‑item budgets and ARP (Fund 127) allocations for carryover projects such as health department building improvements and waterline work. Several offices requested added staff or position changes that the committee approved conditionally with 3% salary guidance.
Next steps: Staff will finalize budget documents for Commission review; the committee discussed presenting a proposed budget to the Commission in April with a May vote. The Commission will make final decisions on pay, tax rates and capital‑project funding.
