Fairfield County council reviews FY2027 budget, debates EMS fleet strategy, K‑9 fund refund and $600,000 gateway monuments

Fairfield County’s council met June 11 for a work session to review the proposed fiscal 2027 budget and to flag items for possible amendment before third and final reading later this month.

County Administrator Mr. Carpenter opened the session by saying the work session was an opportunity for council members to ask questions and provide direction; he told members the budget had not changed since second reading. "If I don't see a lot of significant discussion against something, then I'll take that as, generally speaking, the county wants me to do that," he said, describing the staff process for preparing motions for third reading.

Vice Chair Carl Bell delivered the invocation early in the meeting. Council approved the meeting agenda at the start and later adjourned by voice votes recorded as 7-0.

Among the specific items discussed was a request to return $5,000 raised by a K‑9 foundation to that 501(c)(3). A council member said the foundation raised funds that were placed into the sheriff’s budget and the group now seeks transfer of unused funds. Mr. Carpenter said state law limits midterm changes to a sheriff’s budget and recommended adding a $5,000 line for the foundation in next year’s budget or amending the budget on third reading so the council can vote on it.

The council spent substantial time on emergency medical services and vehicle procurement. Tim, a Fairfield County EMS official, said the county currently operates eight ambulances but only three meet frontline mileage criteria (under 100,000 miles). He told the council new ambulances can take 28–36 months to be delivered and described remounting an existing chassis as a lower-cost alternative that can save more than $125,000 compared with a new build. "We could take those savings and apply it to this new vehicle and save the county over $125,000," Tim said, describing remount and remanufacture options.

Council members pressed on maintenance costs, spare-unit strategy and whether surplus supervisor vehicles could be transferred to rescue squads. Mr. Carpenter said staff will continue refining estimates and prepare motions clarifying capital and vehicle-lease items for a future vote.

Other substantive items included:

- Gateway signage: The A&H committee recommended monuments estimated at roughly $600,000; Mr. Carpenter said council could accept the recommendation, move the money to contingency, or reallocate it to building repairs or other projects.

- County attorney fees: A council member asked staff to audit multi-year attorney payments after citing FY2024 outlays around $411,000 and lower amounts in subsequent years; Mr. Carpenter said attorneys’ costs sometimes include settlements or one-time items and staff would review records.

- Behavioral health loan forgiveness: A $500,000 loan to a behavioral health provider for facility construction was raised. Mr. Carpenter said forgiveness is a council decision and suggested placing the issue on a future agenda.

- Public information and veterans services: The administrator confirmed a $45,000 request for AI and phone support in the Public Information Office and explained that state funds for veterans offices flow into the general fund and are used to subsidize veterans’ services.

Mr. Carpenter closed by thanking the finance staff for their work on the budget. Several council members thanked staff and signaled they will prepare motions for third reading to add or amend specific lines. The council did not take final votes on the substantive requests during the work session; actions and formal votes will be scheduled for upcoming regular meetings.