BUDGET MEETING MINUTES
8 AUGUST 2025
Chair Commissioner Matt Rubelsky opened the meeting noting the prayer and pledge had already been offered in same day meeting. The minutes of 3 July 2025 were moved for approval by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, and were approved unanimously.
The school amendments discussed in same day meeting were moved for approval by the Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, and after asking if there were any public comments (none), the motion was approved unanimously. The Spectrum contract also discussed earlier was moved for approval by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones. Commissioner Evan Baddour asked if there were any financial commitments, and with School Superintendent Vickie Beard answering with no, that it was included in the original scope of work, the motion was approved unanimously.
Resolution of the Giles County Board of Commissioners authorizing the Highway amendment of the 2025-2026 (corrected year) Budget was provided as a handout. Financial Manager (FM) Beth Moore-Sumners discussed the handout noting it showed a rollover from previous year due to weather preventing the use of the funds in paving/repairing roads. Motion to approve was made by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner James Lathrop. Commissioner David Wamble questioned why leave in that department’s budget, given the latest approved 2025-2026 budget showed funding for those services, and why not move those dollars to the county’s fund balance. The FM noting the Highway Department’s Road Superintendent’s absence said while he was unavailable at the meeting, he could be reached by phone for discussion. Commissioner Gayle Jones in concurring with Commissioner Wamble’s comments stated not clear if the highway department could expend the funds in the fiscal year. Commissioner Roger Reedy, in noting timing of full commission meetings, spoke to the delays if the funding is not placed in the highway department and having to come back for full commission approval before executing road paving/repairs. The FM also noted the highway could have worked overtime and spent the funds, with Commissioner Terry Jones speaking to where some other organizations might consider “use it or lose it” spending. Commissioner Jones said he liked the county’s situation where the departments don’t just spend the money to make sure their budgets stay the same. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked if that “unspent money” is earning any interest with the FM saying yes. The FM said last year that interest was $1.2M when a couple of years ago it was $300K. She also mentioned the funding received for the SROs also propped up the general fund as well. The motion was approved unanimously (7 – 0).
The next amendments addressed the County General Fund 101 – The FM said the amendments were approved originally in previous fiscal and now are being rolled over into the current fiscal year. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked clarification on the funding shown for the Ag Park FEMA HMPG Community Safe Room Grant with the CE providing information on having preliminary design drawings currently. Commissioner Evan Baddour asked if the adoption fees are included in the budget line for Animal Shelter Donations with the FM saying no, this line is just for donations. A motion was made by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour to approve all amendments for 101 through 189. One of those amendments addresses the TACN Capital Project, Commissioner David Wamble questioned if the contract addressed change orders and was the county required to agree. In other words, he asked are we liable? Commissioner Erin Curry noted on that amount being a very small portion of the overall cost ($4.4M already spent); the CE said the change order is for 1.36% of the total project cost – much less than typical contingencies of 10-15% on projects of this magnitude. A motion was made to separate the Other Capital Projects Fund 189 from the overall motion by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour. Commissioner Evan Baddour asked what happens if we don’t pay, with the CE saying he would confer with the County Attorney. Commissioner Caleb Savage said he would like to have that information as well. Commissioner Gayle Jones noted the original request was for $99K, and was dropped to the current $89K, and she asked what are we getting for that. The CE responded that we negotiated down 10% from the initial change order discussion, and that the additional funding was to address design and engineering fees due to a change in the north tower’s site location. The Chair asked if we take this out, do we hold up the TACN project with the CE answering yes. The CE asked School Board Chair Knox Vanderpool to explain how change orders work on large construction projects; he provided a quick update on how the schools had handled change orders. On the motion to separate the motion was approved 6 – 1 with the Chair voting no. On the vote on Funds 101 – 171 (after removing 189) the vote was approved unanimously 7 – 0. On the vote to approve 189, discussion within the committee centered on contract specificity (enough or not) and our responsibility to complete the contract. All want project completion but get County Attorney opinion and can discuss further in full commission; i.e. pass and let go to full commission. The motion passed 5-2 with Commissioners Terry Jones and David Adams voting no.
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Commissioners Matt Rubelsky, Erin Curry, James Lathrop, Terry Jones, David Adams, Matthew Hopkins, Carman Brown Other Commissioners in attendance Gayle Jones, David Wamble, Roger Reedy, Joseph Sutton, Shelly Goolsby, Tracy Wilburn, Rose Brown, Annelle Guthrie, Caleb Savage Others in attendance County Executive Graham Stowe, FM Beth Moore-Sumners and Shana Woodard, School Superintendent Vickie Beard, School Board President Knox Vanderpool, member of public