Van Buren County Quorum Court adopts tax levy, hospital generator payment and budget adjustments

Van Buren County’s Quorum Court voted unanimously to adopt a set of budget ordinances on procedural vote, including a tax levy ordinance with an emergency clause and several targeted appropriations.

The court approved an ordinance levying the county’s property taxes for 2025 and attached an emergency clause so the levy would take effect immediately. The presiding official explained that the emergency clause was necessary to meet statutory timing: “Statutorily, we have to levy taxes in November or December,” the presiding official said in explaining the need for immediate action.

The court also adopted three budget actions: an appropriation of $48,000 into the solid waste budget to reflect revenues above projections; an appropriation of $32,611.30 into the senior citizen AEDC grant fund to make a final equipment payment under that grant; and an appropriation of $133,700 into the hospital maintenance fund to cover the final payment for a replacement hospital generator. Each ordinance was moved, seconded and approved by roll call with all voting members recorded as voting yes.

Why it matters: The tax levy sets the county’s property tax framework for the year and the emergency clause advances its effective date to comply with levy deadlines. The hospital payment completes the purchase of critical backup power equipment, and the other appropriations adjust budgets to match grant obligations and higher-than-projected revenues.

Votes at a glance
- Tax levy ordinance (2025), emergency clause attached — Outcome: adopted unanimously. (See quorum court roll call: recorded affirmative votes from Mays; Sarah; Paul; Bradford; Robertson; Paige; Lemmings.)
- Solid waste appropriation — $48,000 to the solid waste budget — Outcome: adopted unanimously.
- Senior citizen AEDC grant appropriation — $32,611.30 for final equipment payment — Outcome: adopted unanimously.
- Hospital maintenance appropriation — $133,700 for generator final payment — Outcome: adopted unanimously.

Court process and next steps: Each ordinance was read on the floor, moved, seconded and approved by roll call. The tax levy will be processed immediately under the emergency clause; no modifications to city or school millages were reported during the discussion.

The meeting closed after a call for public comment produced none, and members moved to adjourn.