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Chair: Commission can discuss FY2027 budget but cannot vote without a quorum
Summary
White County commissioners, lacking an eight-member quorum, discussed the proposed FY2027 general fund budget — including projected revenues of $21.24 million, planned EMS vehicle and salary changes, and $44,000 annual license-plate-reader costs — and set a publication and vote timetable but took no formal actions.
White County’s commission met and, after learning only seven members were present, the chair said the body could discuss but not vote on the proposed fiscal year 2027 general fund budget.
“We only have seven members present tonight and it takes eight to have a quorum,” the Chair said, announcing the panel could not conduct formal business but could review budget materials. The session therefore became a discussion of the draft budget rather than a meeting at which commissioners could adopt or amend appropriations.
Director Mark presented the budget summary, telling commissioners the general fund shows projected revenues of $21,243,142 and projected expenditures of $21,000,006.32. He cited several cost drivers in the draft, including a proposed 3% increase for officials tied to TCRS, anticipated health insurance premium increases, the cost of two upcoming elections and contractual escalators for software and detention-related services.
On emergency medical services, the director said the budget moves $50,000 previously earmarked for remounts toward buying one new ambulance and toward EMS salaries. “That would, help us look at that salary schedule and kinda make some adjustments…to get it more in line with where it needs to be,” Director Mark said, explaining the change is intended to improve market competitiveness for critical-care positions.
The director also described a new full-time custodian position for the county’s forthcoming health department facility and a new $12,000 host-testing line that were included in the draft payroll and nonpayroll items.
Commissioners discussed fleet strategy and remount timelines, noting long lead times for new ambulances and tradeoffs between remounting older chassis and purchasing new vehicles; one commissioner described a roughly 10-year rotation for vehicles to reduce intensive repairs.
Director Mark said officials anticipate some one-time revenue from the recent sale of a property (“the Rock House”), which showed as a roughly $300,000 overage in “other local revenues.” He also said sheriff’s department server upgrades are expected to be covered by grant funding and therefore were not included in the current operating ask.
The sheriff’s department’s license-plate-reader (LPR) program was discussed. The director said the county’s contract carries an initial outlay and an ongoing annual fee of about $44,000; commissioners asked who can access LPR data and whether login activity is audited. One commissioner named members of command staff with access, saying sergeants can typically view feeds as well. “They can see the log in,” a commissioner said when asked about oversight.
On timing, the director outlined the approval schedule: the budget committee would meet June 1 to approve a proposal for the full commission; the proposal would be published on Friday the 5th to meet a 10-day publication requirement under state law, and the commission would consider a vote on the 15th.
Because the body lacked a quorum, no motions to adopt or amend the budget were made, and no votes were recorded. The chair opened a public-comment period limited to budget questions and process but no members of the public spoke during the recorded segment. The session closed with a motion to adjourn; the transcript ends as the motion was raised and does not record its outcome.
