Franklin County Adopts 2026 Budget
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners has adopted a nearly $55 million budget for 2026, prioritizing public safety and legally required services while avoiding any increase to property taxes.
The 2026 budget reflects projected revenue growth of more than 6% compared to the previous year and balances rising operational costs with long-term fiscal responsibility. After reviewing departmental funding requests, commissioners adjusted proposed expenditures to limit the overall budget impact.
The final adopted budget includes a projected deficit of approximately $48,000. County officials noted that approving all requested departmental increases would have resulted in a potential shortfall of more than $7.5 million, which was avoided through budget modifications.
Major funding priorities include more than $1.3 million for emergency communications to support replacement of aging 911 radio infrastructure, including improvements to radio towers, transmitters, and first-responder communication systems. Additional funding increases address rising jail medical costs and expanded public defense services to meet legal requirements.
The budget also allocates funding for capital projects to maintain county facilities and infrastructure.
Despite increased costs, the Board elected not to pursue a property tax levy increase, use banked levy capacity, or reallocate road funds. County departments are now operating under the adopted 2026 financial framework.
Source: Apple Valley News Now
https://www.applevalleynewsnow.com/news/franklin-countys-55-million-budget-prioritizes-public-safety-without-raising-property-taxes/article_c2dbca67-4246-4535-9bb3-7e4511fe339c.html