07.30.2026 -2

The Harrison County Commissioners Court held a budget workshop on August 27, 2026, focusing on departmental budget requests and capital improvement projects. The maintenance department requested a 5% raise for support staff and outlined several remodeling and improvement projects totaling $213,400, including courthouse renovations and a new storage building estimated at $100,000. The IT department proposed reclassifying two positions to address cybersecurity and network infrastructure needs, with a 19.5% overall budget increase driven by rising hardware and maintenance costs. The Marshall Fire Chief presented a detailed analysis of the county's ambulance service, highlighting that the current two-ambulance system is insufficient to meet demand, with only 60% availability for 911 calls. He discussed three options for improving EMS coverage, including adding a third ambulance requiring nine new staff and increased funding, discontinuing service, or partnering with private providers. The discussion included cost breakdowns, billing revenues, and the financial challenges of sustaining EMS services, emphasizing the need for a coordinated regional approach. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, with no immediate budget decisions made but clear identification of future procurement and funding challenges for EMS and county facilities.