Commission approves series of budget transfers, opioid-abatement payment and vendor contracts

The Bedford County Court on Tuesday approved a package of routine budget transfers and administrative actions, moving funds for school programs, sheriff overtime, audit services and opioid-abatement payments and accepting a jail food vendor and sealed-bid process for surplus vehicles.

Chairman Cranes presided as commissioners approved, on roll calls, moving $22,095.27 in opioid-abatement funds to the Van Buren County Coalition so the previously awarded funds can be paid out. The motion to move the money was recorded with one abstention by Commissioner Michael Woodley; all other commissioners voted in favor. Commissioners also approved multiple Van Buren County School budget amendments for after-school and Pre-K programs and accepted the Board of Education’s general fund allocations.

Other approved transfers included a $5,000 move from fund balance for maintenance and repair of a solid waste truck; a $567 transfer to cover sheriff’s TBI overtime; $276 for audit services; and smaller line adjustments for payroll, social security and TCRS. Commissioners voted to exempt a closed business identified in the record (listed as Horrible Melton) from an $18 sanitation fee on an electric bill. The commission authorized sealed bids for several surplus vehicles—two F-150 pickup trucks, a Freightliner garbage truck and a Chevy/G45 ambulance—with the right to accept or reject bids.

The commission accepted KOS Distribution as the Van Buren County Jail food provider after a motion by Commissioner Kel Crane. Clerks and the bookkeeper also explained a late publication of the full budget in the local paper; the Expositor agreed to publish the 50-page budget at a discounted rate ($3,000), and staff requested a fund-balance transfer to cover the remaining publication/legal costs, which the commission approved.

The meeting record shows motions were typically made by named commissioners and seconded; roll-call outcomes were read aloud for each item. Where the transcript records varied name spellings for some members, the minutes recorded the votes by roll call rather than a single voice tally. The commission adjourned routine business to scheduled committee meetings for follow-up on several items.

Actions recorded at the meeting include multiple fund transfers, approvals of school budgets and program amendments, procurement decisions and authorizations to pursue and accept grant funds. No contested votes were recorded other than the single abstention listed above. The commission set the next Committee A meeting for June 12, 2026, and closed formal business for the night.