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Newton County holds budget workshop; commissioners discuss raises, SRO funding and health department request
Summary
At a Sept. 17 workshop the Newton County Commissioners reviewed a proposed balanced budget (general fund expenditures about $10.47 million), discussed employee raises, a Deweyville ISD-funded deputy (SRO), and a health department request to increase county support amid federal cuts.
Newton County Commissioners Court spent substantial time in a Sept. 17 budget workshop reviewing the draft fiscal 2026 figures and proposed adjustments ahead of a scheduled adoption vote next Tuesday.
Staff presented a proposed general fund budget showing total expenditures of $10,466,553.34 with a remaining balance of about $27,981 and a projected rollover of roughly $730,000. The court discussed timing and process for the public hearing and final adoption and agreed to schedule remaining work before next week's meeting.
Commissioners discussed personnel items: the agenda includes an SRO position for Deweyville ISD. Staff said revenue and an expense line were added to the draft budget to reflect an additional deputy funded by the school district. Commissioners also praised proposed pay increases for county employees and said they had tried to fit raises within the proposed balanced budget.
A county public-health board member asked the court to consider increasing the county's annual contribution to the county health department amid federal budget cuts; the speaker said the county currently contributes about $35,000 while another partner contributes about $54,000 and requested that the court obtain firm numbers and consider the request at a subsequent workshop.
Why it matters: the workshop sets the county's spending priorities for the coming year, including public safety staffing and local public-health support. The court directed staff to provide clearer rollover/projected revenue numbers and to finalize agenda items so the budget can be adopted at the next regular meeting.
Next step: the budget adoption vote is scheduled for next Tuesday; staff and commissioners asked for follow-up information on rollover and health department funding prior to adoption.
