County looks to set budget

By Eddie West Staff Writer

County commissioners are expected to vote on a proposed 2025-2026 fiscal year budget this month.

Commissioners will meet on July 28 when the vote is expected to take place.

As proposed, the current budget proposal will not result in a county property tax increase. The county’s property tax rate stands at $1.73310.

Included in the overall county budget is the $38.1 million schools budget which the school board had requested.

The $38.1 million proposed schools budget is the same amount as was approved by commissioners a year ago. 

Last year, going into a full commission vote on the county’s overall budget, the county’s Budget and Finance Committee remained at odds with the school board’s budget request, following back-and forth negotiations between the committee and school board.

During the meeting in which commissioners were to vote on the county’s overall budget, a lengthy debate occurred, between commissioners and school officials before the two sides managed to settle on the $38.1 million budget for schools.

The school system budget is somewhat more complex than other departmental budgets in that it is funded by a combination of county, state and federal dollars. 

READ MORE IN THIS WEEK’S COURIER