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Adams County commissioners approve 2026 appropriations, decline raises amid lower revenues
Summary
On Dec. 22, 2025, Adams County commissioners approved the 2026 annual appropriations and multiple routine resolutions while rejecting broader pay raises because Auditor David Gifford reported lower sales tax projections; the board approved one targeted adjustment after loss of DYS funding.
On Dec. 22, 2025, the Adams County Board of Commissioners approved the county's 2026 Annual Appropriations and a slate of routine resolutions while reaffirming a decision not to increase the overall 2026 budget because of weaker revenue projections. The board met at the Government Center in West Union with Vice President Kelly Jones presiding and Jason Hayslip present; Barbara Moore Holt was recorded absent.
Auditor David Gifford told commissioners that sales tax revenue was down last month, a point the board cited in deciding against broad pay raises. "Sales tax revenue was down last month," Gifford said while presenting the 2026 appropriations, and commissioners repeatedly emphasized fiscal restraint when approving budgets and transfers.
The board approved Resolution No. 2025-543, the 2026 Annual Appropriations, after discussion of requested increases and transfers. Commissioners also approved 2026 salary certifications for Adams County EMS and the commissioners' office (Resolution No. 2025-542) but declined to accept the broader raises available to Ohio county commissioners, citing projected revenues. Court Administrator Veronica Grooms notified the board that Adult Probation salary funding would need to be increased after the loss of $164,000 in DYS funding; the board approved an adjustment to address that shortfall.
Votes at a glance: Resolution No. 2025-536 approved bills for payment (totaling $520,826.14) on a recorded vote of Moore Holt, absent; Jones, aye; Hayslip, aye. Resolution No. 2025-537 approved multiple supplemental transfers across departmental accounts (same roll call). Resolution No. 2025-542 approved the 2026 salary certification for EMS and the commissioners' office (same roll call). Resolution No. 2025-543 approved the 2026 Annual Appropriations (same roll call). Each motion was moved and seconded as recorded in the minutes.
The minutes show commissioners favoring a conservative approach: they said increases in appropriations would be inappropriate given the revenue picture and that any future cash transfers should be properly justified at the time of request. The board scheduled no further action on broad raises and directed departments to provide justification for any future transfer requests.
The board also approved other routine items during the session, including establishing or renaming funds for capital projects and scheduling a public meeting on a personnel rehire (see minutes for full list of resolutions). The commissioners adjourned after reviewing updated architectural drawings for a proposed administration building.
