Budget Committee: June 16, 2026

The Anderson County Budget Committee convened on June 16, 2026, to discuss the county's fiscal year budget, focusing heavily on the sheriff's department funding and employee pay raises. The committee reviewed a proposed zero-increase budget that still reflected a $395,000 deficit and debated salary increases, particularly a 15% raise requested by the sheriff to remain competitive in law enforcement staffing. They considered reallocating funds from unfilled positions and rollover funds to offset costs. A 3% across-the-board pay raise for general fund employees was approved, with further discussion on an additional $800,000 increase for the sheriff's department to be funded from the general fund balance. The committee also debated property tax adjustments affecting local schools, ultimately rejecting a proposed two-cent cut and a one-cent amendment. Other budget items, including highway sales tax revenue allocations and requests to roll over funds for overtime and record scanning, were discussed but not approved. The meeting concluded with acknowledgment of the challenging budget environment and the need for further meetings to finalize the budget.