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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-18-2026 GC 2027 Budget Public Hearing Meeting MinutesGibson County Council 2027 Budget Public Hearing August 18, 2026 at the Southwest Annex The Gibson County Council met for the 2027 Budget Public Hearing. President Jeremy Overton called the meeting to order. Council Members present: • President Jeremy Overton • Vice President Derek McGraw, exited at 9:45 a.m. • Council Member Tom Perry • Council Member Jay Riley, exited at 10:15 a.m. • Council Member Craig Schafer • Council Member Robert Schleter • Council Member Michael Stilwell - absent Also present: • Auditor Michael A. Watkins • First Deputy Auditor Kristy York and Second Deputy Auditor Logan Vickers The purpose of the meeting was to conduct the public hearing for the 2027 budget and review proposed budget reductions before the budget adoption meeting. Other than the above list, no one else was in attendance. • Commissioner's General Fund reduced line 31403 Telephone to $30,000. • EDIT Fund 1112 removed 43301 Courthouse Renovation Bond Repayment as this bond has been paid in full. • EMS General Fund reduced line 22402 Regular Ambulance Supplies to $75,000 and line 35101 Utilities were reduced to $35,000. • Health Fund 1159 is not collecting enough money to support the current requested budget. The Council will send an email requesting that the department cut Funds 1159 and 1161. • Council Member McGraw left the meeting at 9:45 a.m. • The Council will bring elected officials back up to the $60,000 for budgeting purposes, except for the Council, Commissioners, Coroner, and those that have a salary mandated by the State. This will make their salaries comparable to elected officials in other counties with similar populations. The Courthouse Maintenance Director will remain at the $2,600 raise per year, plus the Council will encourage him to utilize his overtime line. The employees will remain in the budget at the $.75 per hour increase. This will allow time to see what is in the future with Senate Bill #1. • Fund 4009 had department cuts in part-time, group insurance, and PERK The department reduced these lines to zero because the revenue did not support the requested budget. The department also reduced 36003 Medical Contracts to $114,840. The Council instructed the Auditor's Office to remove 41201 Vehicles and 44102 Vehicle Equipment/Installation. • Council Member Riley exited the meeting at 10:15 a.m. • Highway Fund 1176, line 30112 Awards/Recognition was zeroed out as State Board of Accounts advised the Auditor that this would not be an allowable expense. • The Council was presented a Cumulative Budget Report that was read for the public hearing. The Auditor's Office will return to the office and make the directed changes before the adoption meeting. A new copy of the adopted amounts will be emailed to Council Members. The Council will conduct their Budget Adoption Meeting on September 8, 2026. Council Meeting Minutes — August 18, 2026 Page 1 Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m. following a motion by Council Member Schleter. Minutes from August 18, 2026 Budget Meeting J my verton, President om Perry, Council Member, Craig Schafer, Council Member If Michael Stilwell, Council Member Attest: I a . . Michael A. Watkins, Gibson County Auditor cGraw, Vice President y Rile , ouncil Member U t Robert Schleter, Council Member Council Meeting Minutes — August 18, 2026 Page 2