White County Commissions shot down the budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, which included the $1.57 property tax rate, with a 12-2 vote. T.K. Austin and David Cranford voted yes. Thomas Margeson, Roger Mason, Jordan Cocke, Derrick Hutchings, Becky Golden, Robert McCormick, Dakota White, Lanny Selby, Chris Brewington, Cain Rogers, Larry Daniels, and Kyle Goff all voted no.
Since the motion failed, another motion was approved to send it back to the budget committee. All commissioners voted yes.
Before the vote for the proposal was cast, Commission Chairman Derrick Hutchings brought to attention concerns regarding three commissioners. It was rumored that the three commissioners met in private after the last budget committee meeting, and this would be in direct violation of the Open Meetings Act, otherwise known as the Sunshine Law, which states that all public business must be “transacted transparently and not in secret.” The three commissioners were Kyle Goff, Dakota White, and Cain Rogers.
“Are we on trial?” Kyle Goff asked. “I would just like to know which path you’re taking.”
After Chairman Hutchings brought up that a private meeting would be in violation of the Open Meetings Act, Kyle Goff responded in defense with, “We can read the Sunshine Law if you’d like. I mean, however, I will say there is nothing in resolution 5706-2025 that I have had much influence over whatsoever, and that’s even being the chairman of the budget committee.”
Chairman Hutchings continued with the vote after but finished with this statement: “It was asked of me, and I had to ask the question.” He had previously mentioned he felt he would not be doing his job if he did not bring this to the attention of the full court.
Commissioner Roger Mason thanked the patience of those who attend all of the commission meetings, and he also asked for understanding as the budget committee once again takes on the proposal, as it needs to pass soon.
Commissioner Mason said, “The issues that were there before, employee compensation and other things in that budget? Those things still have to be resolved. So stayed involved. Just because this budget didn’t pass tonight does not mean that we don’t have to pass one. We still have to get a budget passed.”
Chairman Hutchings followed up by saying, “I would like to add to that, too. If I have taken anything away from the budget process this year, it’s transparency. That’s what you guys are demanding and deserve. Department heads, I ask that you participate with us in this process. I know you guys come and ask. We asked for $1.57 because of the asks from the department heads. If you guys are advocating for raises and equipment that you desperately need, we need support from you guys, so the county understands why we’re asking for those items. This responsibility cannot fall solely on the 14 commissioners that work part-time.”
Commissioner Golden also added that one of the things she has been asked most as a commissioner is about the $40,000 new assistant position being added.
Commissioner Mason responded, “When you get down to it, and we dig into this thing again, the only real movement in this tax rate is with employee compensation. That’s the only real opportunity to make a big dent. The $40,000 she just brought up is half a penny. Not even half a penny.”
Commissioner Brewington then spoke as well, saying, “I’m all for this raise right here, but we have got to as a county quit wasteful spending this money.”
County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson asked Commissioner Brewington, “I would like an example of the wasteful spending.” Commissioner Brewington did not clarify what he felt was wasteful spending, but he did say that a few proposed full-time positions should start at part-time to see if it works first.
Chairman Hutchings said, “You’re a commissioner, Mr. Brewington. I encourage you to have a proposal for the next budget meeting and examples of the wasteful spending for us to review and look at.”
In other news at the meeting, County Executive Robinson presented a resolution from the Industrial Development Board. The resolution was to loan Jackson Kayak $200,000 at 4% for 10 years. The fund comes from a grant specifically meant for loaning to businesses. The loan is so Jackson Kayak can purchase new equipment to develop their existing and future businesses, which includes their recent acquisitions with Warner Paddles and Eddie Line Kayaks. Executive Robinson also mentioned these acquisitions were brought back into the country from Mexico, and it is anticipating adding 10 to 12 new jobs with the company.
The motion to approve the resolution was passed unanimously.
From old business, there was an opioid resolution that was tabled from the last meeting. The sheriff and executive’s office have since discussed the plans further and asked that the commission bring it back to the table. The resolution was also approved unanimously.
The next budget meeting was set for 5:30 p.m., June 24, at 5:30 p.m., where the budget commission will try to form a new proposal, and they hope to make cuts to lower the tax rate.
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