Walker County Chairwoman Angie Teems presented a $36.8 million proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 to the Board of Commissioners on Thursday evening, outlining a spending plan focused on enhancing core government services and improving the lives of county residents.
During a special called meeting, Teems said the proposed budget is the result of six months of careful analysis aimed at aligning public spending with community needs.
“Over the past six months, I’ve studied how we spend our citizen’s tax dollars and what we can do to have a positive impact on their lives through county services,” said Teems. “I believe this budget establishes a good framework to position the county to start investing in the services that will most benefit our residents going forward.”
The fiscal plan prioritizes public safety and infrastructure. It includes increased funding for law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency management, and road maintenance. The proposal also calls for a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for county employees whose salaries are currently below local standards.
Public works is one of the largest beneficiaries of the proposed budget. The plan sets aside funds to create five new positions in the road department, with the goal of accelerating maintenance and repair projects throughout the county. In addition, a modest allocation is proposed for recreational upgrades at parks in Rock Spring and Rossville—small investments aimed at enhancing community spaces.
Teems emphasized the budget reflects a balanced approach to spending, with an eye toward long-term improvements. “We’re focused on making targeted investments that not only address today’s challenges but also prepare us for the future,” she said.
Residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on the budget during two public hearings scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 10 and Thursday, August 7. Both sessions will take place at Courthouse Annex IV, located at 201 S Duke Street in LaFayette.
Once finalized by the Board of Commissioners, the new fiscal year budget will take effect October 1, 2025, and will fund county operations through September 30, 2026.
