The main topics of June’s Metro Council meeting were the 2026-2027 budget and the jail renovation. As discussion on the budget got underway, council member Robert Bracewell questioned the fund balance numbers, contending that by the year 2030, that figure would be approximately $750,000 in the red. Budget Committee Chair Gerald Burnett pointed out that the committee makes very conservative estimates on fund balances figures, and every year since 2015 ending fund balances have been higher than predicted. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year the predicted ending fund balance was $1,000,000, when in fact the year ended with a $2,300,000 fund balance, well over the 15% required by the state. Monies can move within a budget during the year, and Burnett does not see the same future result.

    Bracewell then went on to question the cost of maintaining the search and rescue dogs, and put out a figure of $15,000 to $20,000. He then suggested that the Sheriff’s Department use drones with infrared heat detectors. (A quick Google search shows a range of $1,200 to $6,100 annually to maintain a dog. That figure includes food, vet bills, training, equipment, grooming, travel, and insurance.) However, there is no line item in the Sheriff’s Department for the care of the dogs. Shane Taylor advised the board that when an elderly man went missing this past winter that drones with infrared were used, and were ineffective. The man was eventually found by plane with more sophisticated equipment. Taylor added that just one or two days prior to the meeting the dogs had located a missing person.

    The next issue Bracewell raised concerned the school budget. With increased revenues for schools via TISA funds for growth, additional tax revenues, and grants, his concern is that while expenditures have increased very little and revenues have risen substantially, the fund balance is decreasing. Yet at this month’s school board meeting Director of Schools Chad Moorehead reported that the fund balance is being raised to 6% instead of the 3% held in fund balance for this year. Budget Committee Chair Gerald Burnett explained that the county provides a set percentage of revenues to the schools. The School Board sets the schools’ budget; it is not up to the Metro Council to cherry pick items out of department budgets. The schools are not asking any increase in funding in this budget. Council Chair Amy Cashion reminded Bracewell that he is free to go to the School Board meeting to discuss his questions with the board.

    The council then put the budget to a vote, which passed 13 to 2, with Peggy Blackburn and Robert Bracewell voting “No.” Bracewell then brought up an issue of ethics, pointing out that when the vote was taken on last year’s budget, six members of the council declared a conflict of interest. No one claimed a conflict of interest this year. Chair Cashion pointed out that last year the council voted on retirement as part of the budget, and those six members were either county employees or had spouses that were. County Attorney Bill Rieder was consulted, and he advised that as long as any conflict or possible conflict of interest was noted, that member could still vote. In an abundance of caution, a second vote was taken. Shane Taylor and Doug Carson, both county deputies, made statements addressing the issue. A second vote was taken, with the same result as the first vote.

    As there must be a second reading of the budget and another vote before July 1, a special called meeting was scheduled for Monday, June 29 at 6:30 pm. Only the budget may be discussed and voted on at that meeting.

    The jail renovation was discussed in old business. Council member Peggy Blackburn again brought up putting the project out for bids a second time. The project had been put out for bids in the local media as well as construction bidding sites. The bids were out for at least two weeks, all standard procedure. Only two companies showed interest, and only one bid was received. The project was awarded to Lee Adcock Construction. The final price tag came in at $983,498, which includes $150,000 for appliances. The second reading on the project passed, 14 to 1, with Peggy Blackburn voting “No.”