Franklin County Fiscal Court approves 10 amendments to Administrative Code; one squire votes no on several measures

The Franklin County Fiscal Court on Jan. 7, 2026 approved a package of ten ordinances that together amend multiple sections of Chapter 30 of the Franklin County Code of Ordinances, and completed routine business including approval of minutes, authorization of budget transfers and receipt of the treasurer's report.

Judge Michael Mueller presided over the voting session that convened at 6:28 p.m. After roll call the court approved minutes from the Dec. 18, 2025 regular meeting unanimously (motion by Squire Sherry Sebastian; second, Squire Mike Harrod). The court also approved minutes from the Dec. 22, 2025 special meeting (motion by Squire Sebastian; second, Squire Harrod); that motion passed with Squire Eric Whisman recorded in opposition. The court approved budget transfers for fiscal year 2025–2026 and received the treasurer's report; both measures were recorded as passed by the members present.

The primary business was a series of second readings and approvals of ordinances that revise the county's administrative code. The ordinances and recorded outcomes are summarized below. Where the transcript records votes, Squire Eric Whisman is recorded as voting against ordinances #1–#4 and #8–#10; the other named members voted in favor. Ordinances #5, #6 and #7 were recorded as passing unanimously by the members listed in the meeting record.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance #1-2026 — Amending General Administration (Chapter 30, §§30.001–30.007). Motion passed; recorded vote: Squires Sherry Sebastian, J.W. Blackburn, Kelly Dycus, Mike Harrod, Richard Tanner, and Judge Michael Mueller — yes; Squire Eric Whisman — no. - Ordinance #2-2026 — Amending Financial Administration (Chapter 30, §§30.020–30.024). Motion passed; recorded vote: same breakdown as above (six yes, one no). - Ordinance #3-2026 — Amending Purchases and Contracts (Chapter 30, §§30.115–30.126). Motion passed; recorded vote: six yes, one no. - Ordinance #4-2026 — Amending Delivery of County Services to Road Department (Chapter 30, §§30.135–30.139). Motion passed; recorded vote: six yes, one no. - Ordinance #5-2026 — Adding Board and Commissions language (Chapter 30, §§30.140–30.141). Motion passed; recorded vote: unanimous among the members listed in the record. - Ordinance #6-2026 — Amending Operation of County Fiscal Court subsections (Chapter 30, §§30.150–30.157). Motion passed; recorded vote: unanimous among the members listed in the record. - Ordinance #7-2026 — Adding County Services subsections (Chapter 30, §§30.159–30.169). Motion passed; recorded vote: unanimous among the members listed in the record. - Ordinance #8-2026 — Amending Other County Policies (Chapter 30, §§30.170–30.174). Motion passed; recorded vote: six yes, one no (Squire Whisman opposed). - Ordinance #9-2026 — Adding County Investment Policy (Chapter 30, §30.175). Motion passed; recorded vote: six yes, one no (Squire Whisman opposed). - Ordinance #10-2026 — Adding Internet Policy (Chapter 30, §30.176). Motion passed; recorded vote: six yes, one no (Squire Whisman opposed).

Other actions recorded during the meeting included authorization for payment of presented claims (no motion was offered to deny a claim) and a motion to adjourn, which passed with all listed members in favor; the meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.

Why this matters: The package of ordinances collectively updates the county's administrative code across governance, financial, procurement, road services, boards and commissions, operations and policy sections. That broad revision affects how county administration, contracting and internal policies are implemented; the record shows one magistrate opposed a number of the changes, indicating at least some dissent within the court. The court did not attach specific fiscal figures or implementation deadlines to these motions in the transcript.

The court's written record of the meeting is signed by County Judge/Executive Michael Mueller and Fiscal Court Clerk Kim Cox.