Bedford County commissioners approve 2026–27 budget; two vote no over pay raises
June 30, 2026 | Bedford County, Tennessee
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Bedford County Board of Commissioners approved the county's fiscal 2026–27 budget and a slate of related resolutions at a special-call meeting focused on the budget. Mayor Chad Graham presided.
The meeting included unanimous roll-call approval of several measures—among them Resolution 27-1 fixing the county tax levy for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026; Resolution 27-2 making appropriations for county funds; and a set of other resolutions addressing nonprofit appropriations, additional court-clerk compensation, elected-official educational incentive payments, highway-department work authorizations and a litter-and-trash grant application. Most individual resolutions passed on roll call votes recorded as 17–0.
The final adoption of the county's overall 2026–27 budget drew more extended discussion. Commissioner Anderson announced he would vote against the budget, saying he could not support a proposed 5% pay increase for county employees given other local needs and financial uncertainty. "I'm probably going to be one of the few won't vote for this... 5% raise to people and all some of these people making 90,000, 100,000 dollars when we couldn't help seniors," Commissioner Anderson said, adding concern that an unresolved city lawsuit could force future commissions to raise taxes to cover obligations.
Commissioner Epperson also voted no on the budget. The final roll call on the budget recorded 15 yeas and 2 nays; the motion passed.
Why it matters: the budget and related resolutions set Bedford County's tax levy and spending priorities for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, including personnel pay policies and allocations to nonprofit organizations. The decisions will affect county operations, departmental budgets and the county's potential future tax obligations.
Votes at a glance:
- Resolution 27-1 (fix tax levy for FY 2026–27): approved, roll call 17–0.
- Resolution 27-2 (appropriations for FY 2026–27): approved, roll call 17–0.
- Resolution 27-3 (appropriations to nonprofit charitable organizations): approved, roll call 17–0.
- Resolution 27-4 (additional compensation for county court clerks): approved, roll call 17–0.
- Resolution 27-5 (educational incentive payments to full‑time elected officials): approved, roll call 17–0.
- Resolution 27-6 (authorize County Highway Department to perform work for city–county entities): approved, roll call 17–0.
- Resolution 27-7 (authorize application for litter and trash collection grant): approved (voice vote recorded as aye).
- FY 2026–27 county budget adoption: approved, roll call 15–2 (Commissioners Anderson and Epperson voted no).
What commissioners said: Commissioner Anderson framed his no vote around fiscal priorities and future risk, noting both the proposed raises and an unresolved lawsuit as reasons to withhold support. No motion to reconsider was recorded before adjournment.
The board adjourned after the budget vote. No public speakers addressed the board during the public comment period at the start of the meeting.
The meeting included unanimous roll-call approval of several measures—among them Resolution 27-1 fixing the county tax levy for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026; Resolution 27-2 making appropriations for county funds; and a set of other resolutions addressing nonprofit appropriations, additional court-clerk compensation, elected-official educational incentive payments, highway-department work authorizations and a litter-and-trash grant application. Most individual resolutions passed on roll call votes recorded as 17–0.
The final adoption of the county's overall 2026–27 budget drew more extended discussion. Commissioner Anderson announced he would vote against the budget, saying he could not support a proposed 5% pay increase for county employees given other local needs and financial uncertainty. "I'm probably going to be one of the few won't vote for this... 5% raise to people and all some of these people making 90,000, 100,000 dollars when we couldn't help seniors," Commissioner Anderson said, adding concern that an unresolved city lawsuit could force future commissions to raise taxes to cover obligations.
Commissioner Epperson also voted no on the budget. The final roll call on the budget recorded 15 yeas and 2 nays; the motion passed.
Why it matters: the budget and related resolutions set Bedford County's tax levy and spending priorities for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, including personnel pay policies and allocations to nonprofit organizations. The decisions will affect county operations, departmental budgets and the county's potential future tax obligations.
Votes at a glance:
- Resolution 27-1 (fix tax levy for FY 2026–27): approved, roll call 17–0.
- Resolution 27-2 (appropriations for FY 2026–27): approved, roll call 17–0.
- Resolution 27-3 (appropriations to nonprofit charitable organizations): approved, roll call 17–0.
- Resolution 27-4 (additional compensation for county court clerks): approved, roll call 17–0.
- Resolution 27-5 (educational incentive payments to full‑time elected officials): approved, roll call 17–0.
- Resolution 27-6 (authorize County Highway Department to perform work for city–county entities): approved, roll call 17–0.
- Resolution 27-7 (authorize application for litter and trash collection grant): approved (voice vote recorded as aye).
- FY 2026–27 county budget adoption: approved, roll call 15–2 (Commissioners Anderson and Epperson voted no).
What commissioners said: Commissioner Anderson framed his no vote around fiscal priorities and future risk, noting both the proposed raises and an unresolved lawsuit as reasons to withhold support. No motion to reconsider was recorded before adjournment.
The board adjourned after the budget vote. No public speakers addressed the board during the public comment period at the start of the meeting.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
