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Russell County fiscal court reads $14.5 million 2025–26 budget; approves recurring expenses and $100,000 jail transfer
Summary
At its April 14 meeting the Russell County Fiscal Court heard the first reading of Ordinance 25-04, a $14,535,914 fiscal year 2025–26 budget, approved recurring expenses and unanimously authorized a $100,000 transfer from the General Fund to the jail fund.
The Russell County Fiscal Court on April 14 heard the first reading of Ordinance 25-04, the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget totaling $14,535,914. County Treasurer Kim Blanchet read fund-by-fund totals, including $4,766,136 for the General Fund, $1,932,471 for Road, $2,285,106 for Jail, $2,308,831 for an Airport Project and $617,453 in opioid settlement funds allocated to that line item.
The budget reading was procedural and did not include a final vote. Judge Executive Randy Marcum told the court the proposed spending is “the same as last year,” and said the budget committee had discussed hazardous-duty pay for sheriff’s deputies but that the court could not fund it at this time.
Beyond the ordinance reading, the court moved several fiscal items forward. Magistrate Steve Richardson moved and Magistrate Larry Skaggs seconded approval of the recurring expenses for FY 2025–26 so the treasurer could forward them for approval; the motion passed unanimously. The court also approved a $100,000 transfer from the General Fund to the Jail Fund; Magistrate Mickey Garner moved and Magistrate Terry Waddell seconded, and the motion carried with all members in favor.
Votes at a glance: the minutes and prior meeting approvals, payment of regular and late-arriving bills, acceptance of monthly settlement reports and pre-approved AE transfers, approval of recurring FY 2025–26 expenses, and the $100,000 transfer to the jail fund were all adopted by unanimous voice vote. The first reading of Ordinance 25-04 was read into the record by Blanchet and remains pending further procedural steps, including subsequent readings and formal adoption.
Why it matters: the proposed budget sets the county’s spending priorities for the coming fiscal year and earmarks funds for major projects including airport work and jail operations. The court’s unanimous decision to move recurring expenses and the jail transfer forward adjusts near-term cash flow for the jail while the ordinance proceeds through its required readings.
What’s next: Ordinance 25-04 will return for additional readings and any formal vote at a future meeting; the court must complete statutory notice and procedural steps before adopting the budget.
