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Crawford County Quorum Court adopts 2026 budget and approves package of staffing and appropriations ordinances
Summary
The Quorum Court on Dec. 15 approved the countys 2026 operating budget (Ordinance 2025-33) and a suite of related ordinances and resolutions—each passed by roll call 12 yeas, 1 absent—covering sheriff staffing, 911 positions and overtime, an additional road laborer, and other budget amendments.
The Crawford County Quorum Court voted Dec. 15 in Van Buren to adopt the countys annual operating budget for 2026 and to approve a package of ordinances and resolutions affecting staffing, appropriations and county operations.
The court approved Ordinance 2025-33, the appropriation ordinance establishing the 2026 operating budget, after an agenda amendment that renumbered the budget ordinance to be the final item of the year. The vote on the budget and each of the listed ordinances and resolutions was recorded as 12 yeas and 1 absent on the roll call.
Included among the approved measures was Ordinance 2025-27, an emergency appropriation of $123,990.95 from Fund #3428-0418 to fund three part-time certified officer positions in the Sheriffs Office for the 2026 budget. The court also approved Ordinance 2025-30 to convert two part-time dispatch positions into two full-time positions in the countys 911 telecommunications department and Ordinance 2025-31 setting overtime pay for that department.
Other approved items included Ordinance 2025-32, creating an additional laborer position for Fund #2000 in the County Road Department; Ordinance 2025-29, an emergency measure setting pay and combining the Election Coordinator and IT (Technology) positions; and Ordinance 2025-28, an amendment to Budget Ordinance 2024-30 to appropriate additional funds and transfers for the 2025 budget.
The court also approved Resolution 2025-07 expressing support for completion of the Interstate 49 corridor and dedicated funding toward that effort, and Resolution 2025-08 to adopt and confirm contracts entered into by the County Judge during routine business.
An amendment to Resolution 2025-09 to add Section 3 appointed Andy Correro as interim Crawford County Coroner through Dec. 31, 2026; Judge Chris Keith administered the oath to Correro during the meeting.
The court approved routine confirmations to the Library Board (Mary Beth McCourt and Susan McCart) and, by voice vote earlier in the meeting, granted county employees the day off on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution 2025-07 (support I-49 corridor): motion to approve placed by Justice Morgan; roll call 12 yeas, 1 absent; outcome: approved. - Resolution 2025-08 (confirm contracts): motion to approve placed by Justice Morgan; roll call 12 yeas, 1 absent; outcome: approved. - Resolution 2025-09 (declare and fill coroner vacancy): motion to approve placed by Justice Morgan; roll call 12 yeas, 1 absent; outcome: approved. - Ordinance 2025-27 (appropriation $123,990.95 for three part-time Sheriff's positions): motion to approve placed by Justice Morgan; roll call 12 yeas, 1 absent; outcome: approved. - Ordinance 2025-28 (2025 budget amendment/transfers): motion to approve placed by Justice Morgan; roll call 12 yeas, 1 absent; outcome: approved. - Ordinance 2025-29 (combine Election Coordinator and IT; set pay): motion to approve placed by Justice Morgan; roll call 12 yeas, 1 absent; outcome: approved. - Ordinance 2025-30 (convert two part-time dispatch to two full-time): motion to approve placed by Justice Morgan; roll call 12 yeas, 1 absent; outcome: approved. - Ordinance 2025-31 (set overtime pay for 911): motion to approve placed by Justice Morgan; roll call 12 yeas, 1 absent; outcome: approved. - Ordinance 2025-32 (add additional laborer for County Road Dept): motion to approve placed by Justice Morgan; roll call 12 yeas, 1 absent; outcome: approved. - Ordinance 2025-33 (2026 annual operating budget): motion to approve placed by Justice Morgan; roll call 12 yeas, 1 absent; outcome: approved.
Context and next steps
Meeting materials show the court adopted each item by title only and recorded the roll-call tallies. The budget ordinance was renumbered during the meeting so it would be the final vote of 2025. The appointment of an interim coroner was added by amendment to Resolution 2025-09; Andy Correro was sworn in to serve the remainder of the term through Dec. 31, 2026. No public hearings or extended debate on the budget items are recorded in the meeting minutes. The court adjourned following announcements and thanks from county staff.
