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Simpson County Fiscal Court discusses FY2025/2026 budget; consensus reached on 0.25% occupational tax revenue increase
Summary
During an extended budget discussion April 29, Simpson County officials and department heads flagged inmate counts and fire department staffing needs; the court reached consensus that occupational tax revenue could increase by 0.25% and directed Judge/Executive Mason Barnes and Treasurer Nicole Law to prepare a revised draft for the May 6 regular meeting.
Simpson County Fiscal Court held an extended discussion of its FY2025/2026 budget at a special-called meeting April 29, with elected officials and department heads raising staffing and operational concerns and the court agreeing by consensus to assume a 0.25% increase in occupational tax revenue for the next draft.
From approximately 8:45 a.m. until adjournment at 10:30 a.m., the court debated department requests and fiscal assumptions. The Jail Department emphasized current inmate numbers, and the Fire Department requested adding additional firefighters. Officials discussed priorities, needs and available funding but did not adopt a final budget at the special-called meeting.
By consensus the Fiscal Court determined occupational tax revenue could increase by 0.25% in the next budget draft. Judge/Executive Mason Barnes and Treasurer Nicole Law were directed to incorporate those assumptions and other changes discussed — along with any final numbers that were not available during the session — and to prepare a revised budget for consideration at the May 6 regular Fiscal Court meeting.
Separately during the meeting the court approved Ordinance No. 220.261 (budget amendment #3) on second reading and final passage (motion by Magistrate Marty Chandler; second by Magistrate Jeffrey Burr). The court also approved multiple budget-line transfers reallocating funds among administrative, economic development, fire department, county clerk and other accounts, and authorized cash transfers of $5,000 from the General Fund to the 911 Fund and $86,582 from the General Fund to the Jail Fund. The court approved bills and claims, including vendor invoices and payroll items recorded in the claims register (general payroll $191,746.56; road payroll $20,188.29; jail payroll $107,660.77).
The court adjourned at 10:30 a.m.; no final FY2025/2026 budget was adopted at this meeting and the revised draft will be presented at the May 6 regular meeting.
