Cleveland County Budget Board approves $61.4 million FY2025/2026 budget amid Sheriff objections

The Cleveland County Budget Board voted to approve the county's FY2025/2026 budget during a special meeting on June 5, 2025. The county "expects to bring in about $61.4 million in revenue, including $24.0 million in carryover from previous funds," while departments requested $75.15 million, leaving an approximate $13.74 million shortfall that the board said must be addressed through adjustments.

Board members emphasized balancing public safety funding with fiscal responsibility. Sheriff Amason opposed the proposed budget and said his department remains "struggling" and that he felt excluded from the process; he cast the sole "no" vote when the budget passed. Assistant District Attorney Robin Moore told the board that "new state statute, HB1664 was enacted by the legislature with an emergency on it (effective immediately). There is no Open Meetings violation, and she offered to meet with the Sheriff and discuss the change." Jim Reynolds moved to approve the budget and Jacob McHughes seconded; the motion carried 7–1 (Amason opposed).

The board said the lower total reflects realistic revenue projections and corrected line-item errors that did not change the stated $61.4 million total. Members said they expect departments to align requests with audit recommendations and to identify adjustments to bring spending in line with available revenue.

The board did not adopt a plan at the meeting to close the $13.74 million gap beyond general direction to manage requests responsibly; members said follow-up work will continue in committee and through staff reports.