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Van Buren County Commission adopts $23.3 million budget and sets property tax rate at $2.40
Summary
The Van Buren County Commission unanimously approved the 2025–26 fiscal-year budget and fixed the county's combined property tax rate at $2.40 per $100 of assessed value. The package sets total appropriations of $23,306,465, including $11,701,580 for schools.
The Van Buren County Commission unanimously approved the county's fiscal 2025–26 budget and set the combined property tax rate at $2.40 per $100 of assessed value during a special meeting on June 24, 2025.
The action, taken by roll-call vote, included adoption of the Appropriation Resolution (total appropriations $23,306,465), a Resolution fixing the tax levy at 2.40, and a Resolution appropriating $383,435 to local nonprofit charitable organizations. Commissioner Tabitha Denney moved to approve the tax-levy resolution and the appropriation measures; the motions were seconded and carried with all seven commissioners present voting yes.
Why it matters: the adopted budget funds county operations and local schools for the year beginning July 1, 2025. The package allocates $4,610,900 for the county General Fund and $11,701,580 for the General Purpose School Fund, funds ambulance service operations, debt service and other programs, and directs $383,435 to nonprofit providers serving the county.
What the commission approved
Votes at a glance: The commission recorded unanimous recorded votes (7–0) on each item. - Resolution fixing the tax levy (Resolution number recorded in packet): moved by Commissioner Tabitha Denney, seconded by Commissioner Michael Chandler; outcome: approved. Adopted combined rate: 2.40 per $100 of assessed value (general fund 1.585; ambulance 0.275; local purpose 0.100; schools 0.335; debt 0.105). - Appropriation Resolution (Resolution #499): moved by Commissioner Tabitha Denney, seconded by Commissioner Michael Woodlee; outcome: approved. Total appropriations across all county funds: $23,306,465 (General Fund $4,610,900; Highway/Public Works $3,983,626; General Purpose School Fund $11,701,580; others as listed in the packet). - Nonprofit appropriation resolution (Resolution #500): moved by Commissioner Tabitha Denney, seconded by Commissioner Michael Woodlee; outcome: approved. Total to nonprofits: $383,435 (E911, Extension Service, Soil & Water, Fire Prevention, Health Dept allocations as itemized in the resolution).
Budget details and context: The meeting packet included line-by-line budget worksheets and revenue estimates. County staff used an assessed value of $189,814,879 and a historical collection rate of 92% to estimate property-tax collections. The packet shows an estimated total tax levy (including utility adjustments) of about $4.41 million. The appropriation resolution includes procedural language about transfers within funds, revenue anticipation notes, and that unencumbered appropriations lapse June 30, 2026.
Officials and procedure: Sheriff Michael Brock called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.; County Mayor David Sullivan and County Financial Director Heather Woodlee were present and the budget documents were included in the record. County Clerk Lisa Rigsby attested the resolutions. The special meeting concluded at 6:06 p.m. after a motion to adjourn by Commissioner Terry Hickey.
What happens next: The resolutions state they take effect July 1, 2025. The appropriation resolution instructs departments and fee officials on internal transfer rules and requires filings for any future amendments as provided by Tennessee Code Annotated.
