Hamblen County adopts 2026-27 tax levy and budget after vote rejects moving school pennies to fund larger sheriff raises

The Hamblen County Commission voted Thursday to adopt the county's fiscal year 2026-27 tax levy and annual budget after rejecting an amendment that would have moved three cents from the school property tax to the general fund to pay larger raises for the sheriff's office.

Resolution 26-09, presented by the budget committee, sets the combined property-rate structure for the coming fiscal year and was approved by the commission following debate. Commissioners discussed whether moving three cents of the school property tax to the general fund would provide recurring revenue to increase raises beyond the 5% included in the draft budget.

The amendment to transfer three cents from the school property tax and earmark it for a larger raise for county law-enforcement staff failed on a 5-7 vote. Proponents said the change would create roughly the funds needed to raise many deputies to a 10% pay increase; opponents warned that taking recurring property-tax revenue from schools would set up long-term funding pressures and possible tax increases next year.

Public commenters pressed the commission to act now. "I respectfully ask the commission to increase the proposed raise for the sheriff's office from the 5% to at least 10," said Eddie Ingram, who urged higher pay to retain experienced deputies and reduce turnover-related costs.

Chris Black, speaking during the agenda comment period, urged caution on nonprofit appropriations tied to the budget and asked the commission to exclude one organization (HCXL) from Resolution 26-11 pending clearer financial disclosures: "County dollars are limited and your responsibility is to direct them where they will have the clearest public benefit and the strongest accountability," he said.

Supporters of the amendment pointed to immediate staffing needs. "If we move these pennies now, it will be there next year and the year after," one commissioner said, arguing the county must prioritize public safety. Opponents cautioned that recurring raises funded by shifting school property-tax pennies could require difficult budget choices later.

After the failed amendment, the commission approved Resolution 26-09 and then passed the appropriations ordinance, Resolution 26-10, which funds departments and agencies for July 1, 2026'June 30, 2027. The commission also approved Resolution 26-11, which allocates appropriations to nonprofit and civic organizations for the coming year.

The hearing and deliberations included questions about the five-day sign-up requirement for the budget public hearing; staff said guidance came from the Tennessee Comptroller's Local Government Finance Office. The public hearing portion of the meeting closed before the commission returned to regular business.

The commission will reconvene for further committee meetings and the next regular session in July as it finalizes budget implementation and addresses staffing and capital needs.