Schley County commissioners adopt FY2026 budget amendment for state pay mandates; approve petty cash policy and change April meeting date

The Schley County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to adopt a FY2026 budget amendment intended to cover state-mandated pay increases for the county’s chief magistrate and the sheriff and to address unforeseen expenses, County Manager Douglas Jamieson said. Commissioners also approved a petty cash policy and moved the April regular meeting date to April 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Jamieson presented the proposed budget amendment during the meeting and said it was needed to accommodate state-mandated minimum salaries and cost-of-living allocations for magistrates and other positions. Commissioner Harrison moved to adopt the resolution for the proposed budget amendment; Commissioner Jones seconded and, as recorded in the minutes, "all were in favor." The minutes do not specify an amendment dollar amount.

Other routine motions passed by unanimous voice vote. Commissioner Barineau moved to adopt a proposed Petty Cash Policy; Commissioner Jones seconded and the motion passed. Commissioner Jones moved to reschedule the April 14 regular meeting to April 7 at 6:30 p.m.; Commissioner Harrison seconded and the motion passed.

The board also approved routine minutes from the Jan. 9 regular meeting and the Jan. 9 working session. Each approval was made by motion, second and recorded as "all were in favor." The meeting adjourned after a motion from Commissioner Jones, seconded by Commissioner Barineau.

The actions were procedural and intended to keep county operations on schedule while addressing rising personnel costs driven, the minutes say, by state requirements. County Manager Jamieson presented available-fund balances for several accounts during the meeting but did not attach a specific dollar amount to the FY2026 amendment; those fund balances were listed in the minutes for context.