Nash County approves vehicle, pay and fire support amid heated budget debate

The Nash County Board of Commissioners approved a series of budget moves June 1, including additional funding for sheriff vehicles, a plan to raise detention-center pay supported by the sheriff, and a $50,000 per-chartered-fire-department supplemental payment while creating a seven-member fire commission to recommend long-term plans.

County Manager Stacy Stag presented the recommended FY2027 budget and walked commissioners through specific requests: sheriff vehicles, detention center food and medical costs, CIP seed money for an EMS station and Miracle Park, and proposed support for volunteer fire departments. Commissioners asked for cumulative totals and debated whether to add funds now or leave room for later amendments.

After debate over asset-forfeiture rules and the county's responsibilities, the board gave staff direction to add funding for additional sheriff vehicles. The manager had estimated $65,000 per vehicle for purchase and upfit; the board's consensus moved forward additional CIP funding after one commissioner recorded an opposing vote.

Commissioners also wrestled with jail-related costs. Commissioner Wayne Outlaw and others emphasized public safety and case counts; Commissioner Howell pressed for greater transparency and argued the county should budget ahead for legally required inmate care. The board ultimately approved a package that followed an approach the sheriff offered: freezing several positions to free funds for pay increases intended to improve recruitment and retention at the detention center.

On fire department funding, Commissioner Leget proposed a $50,000 payment to each Nash County chartered fire department (plus $5,000 for Silver Lake, which serves a small portion of the county) and formation of a seven-member fire commission to recommend how the funding should be used and to bring forward sustainability plans. The board approved the supplemental funding and the commission structure; staff will present proposed initial members at the June 15 meeting.

Other approved items included seed money to advance capital work for the new EMS station and Miracle Park, and an adjustment to EMS station lease payments (a staff proposal to raise rent to roughly $9 per square foot for sites the county leases from volunteer departments). Several commissioners requested lease templates that include an annual escalator and clearer maintenance terms.

County Manager Stacy Stag and finance staff emphasized that some of the added funding will require using fund balance or state-directed grant funds for capital elements; they also noted the need for an oversized main agreement if developers or projects require extended water mains.

What happens next: staff will prepare the formal budget ordinance for adoption at a future meeting and return to the board with oversight language and implementation details for the fire commission, revised EMS lease templates, and any required agreements for water main oversizing.