Budget Committee (Table) 10/13/26

The Sumner County Budget Committee met October 13, 2026, to consider budget amendments and funding requests. The committee approved $100,000 from unassigned fund balance for Forward Sumner workforce-development projects, with discussion of its grant-matching and economic-development role and the likelihood of a similar request in future budgets. It also approved $10,000 for Recovery Court IT/internet services and a $25,000 Recovery Drug Court grant. A $5,755.14 appropriation from Celebrate America 250 funds for a rescheduled November drone show was approved. The committee approved a $25,000 increase to the mayor’s project-manager salary while eliminating the project-coordinator position. The committee discussed the county’s AV-platform project for Room 112, but a quote was still forthcoming and no award was made.

The committee approved a $150,000 fire marshal/coordinator initiative after amending the proposal from a permanent position to a fixed-term statement of work to be solicited through an RFP; the item was not waived for a second reading. Discussion focused on coordinating volunteer fire departments, potential savings and grant support, and longer-term fire-service funding, including whether to pursue a rural fire-tax referendum. The committee also approved a budget transfer for iParametrics, the county’s ARPA consultant, to complete reporting after the ARPA spending deadline. Members discussed the risk that about $2.4 million for ambulance purchases and additional Westmoreland EMS project costs could require local capital funding if delivery or construction milestones miss the December 31 deadline. The Comptroller’s FY2027 budget approval letter was reviewed, including concerns about the school fund’s projected low reserves; members agreed to schedule a separate long-term-planning session after hiring a project manager.