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Martin County unanimously adopts FY 2026–27 budget; board highlights no tax increase and manager authority changes
Summary
The Martin County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the FY 2026–2027 budget after a public hearing with no public comment. The board praised staff for completing the budget early, approved updated facility rental rates, and authorized new administrative contract/transfer authority for the county manager.
The Martin County Board of Commissioners voted 5–0 on June 11 to adopt the county’s fiscal year 2026–2027 budget ordinance after holding a public hearing that drew no speakers.
The budget — presented by County Manager Drew Batts and discussed in an updated PowerPoint — updates rental rates for county facilities, confirms the county’s operating plan for the coming year and includes a change to the budget ordinance granting the county manager additional administrative authority to approve intra-department transfers and to execute contracts, service agreements and change orders valued at $30,000 or less when sufficient funding exists. Commissioner Jeremiah Taylor moved to adopt the ordinance; Commissioner Ronnie Smith seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Why it matters: Board members and staff framed the ordinance as a stable operating plan for the county. Chairman Joe R. Ayers commended county staff and said the budget was completed earlier than in past years; Vice Chairman David “Skip” Gurganus also thanked department heads and staff for the work that produced the document.
Key details: The board discussed and approved edits made since the May 14 presentation, including corrected dates and line items in the budget message, clarified facility rental rates for the Moratoc and Barnes buildings, and the addition of Section 35 language giving defined authority to the county manager on transfers and certain contracts. During the adoption discussion, several commissioners noted the county did not raise property tax rates as part of this budget.
Votes and next steps: The ordinance was adopted 5–0. County staff will file the budget document with the county clerk as required by state law and proceed with implementing the fiscal-year spending plan. The board did not increase the property tax rate as part of the adoption; department heads may execute budgeted activities under the new manager authority and the board will reconvene for routine oversight and any required follow-ups.
