BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
14 JULY 2026
Budget Chair, Commissioner Evan Baddour, opened the meeting asking for the 11 June 2026 minutes be considered for approval. Prayer and pledge were already offered in another same day meeting. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner James Lathrop, and were approved unanimously.
Financial Manager (FM) Beth Moore-Sumners briefly discussed the school’s amendments presented in same day school committee meeting. A motion to approve the amendments was made by the Chair, seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones, and were approved unanimously.
Rollover Amendments – Motion to approve made by Commissioner Shelly Goolsby, seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, and after the following discussion was approved unanimously. Update on renting a courthouse air conditioner showed one had been purchased at a cheaper price overall than renting and can also be retained. Update on what organization received opioid funds showed only two organizations applied (Kids place received last year) and of the two, Voyage Wellness application for $75,000 was approved in full as it was more tailored to the criteria and Kids Place received the remaining (approximately $35,000) given they had already received the prior round of full funding they requested and this year their request was for technology funding and their application only generally referenced services that may affect opioid affected households. Commissioner Tracy Wilburn asked how much of the Fund Balance included grants, with the FM saying most are grants, $1.9M grants/donations of the $2.4M carryover. Deputy Woodard said he had just received information on the jail’s HVAC which is out again. He questioned if the cost to repair would be worth the fix (noting also the resulting problem of having to move inmates). Commissioner Gayle Jones asked about lead time to procure a new one, with Deputy Woodard saying about 5 months. The public was asked if they had any comments (none). EMS Director Walter Daughtery mentioned a reimbursement grant for a new ambulance which was already approved but with a lead time of 30-36 months. He has located one that he can buy in 1 ½ months, which would just require adding some striping ($5K). The FM suggested doing now and using the co-op purchasing process, which would help time wise. Motion was approved for the rollover amendments. Motion to move forward prior to the next full legislative meeting on purchasing the ambulance was made by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Shelly Goolsby, and was approved. Commissioner Gayle Jones in clarifying said this is a new ambulance (yes), not a remount, and does this purchase affect the approved 2026-2027 budget. Director Daughtery said this was not in the budget.
Contracts/Grants – A handout on the new Billing Services Agreement between EMS Management & Consultants, Inc. and the Giles County Ambulance Services was provided. Motion to approve by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner James Lathrop, and was approved unanimously. There were no public comments. Re Samsara, Inc. fleet tracking including hardware accessories and a per-gateway license shows a reduction in cost from $9600 (currently paying) to $2300 annually.
Hazard Mitigation Plan – EMA Chief Josh Young provided a voluminous plan noting the plan covered all Giles County with individual sections for all municipalities. He said the plan is required every five years and the review looked at the old plan, made any changes such as taking out 300 projects which were not doable. Motion to approve was made by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Brad Butler, and was approved unanimously. There were no public comments.
Unfinished Business – The Chair provided a handout on a Resolution Rescinding Resolution No. 2024-22 Which Established a New Compensation Schedule for the Giles County Commission. The Chair also noted the cost of that compensation doubled the current cost. Motion to approve was made by Commissioner James Lathrop, seconded by the Chair. Commissioner David Adams noted there had only been two raises in his 24 years as a commissioner. Commissioner Tracy Wilburn said you cannot reduce pay in coming year. Commissioner Terry Jones said due to less meetings now than in some previous years and less training trips, the cost is significantly down. Commissioner James Lathrop said with no criteria to missing a meeting, he considered it self-serving and the resolution should be repealed. Lead by example, he said. The Chair said for him it would be OK but only if commissioners were paid for attending a meeting, and not paid for missed meetings. Commissioner Gayle Jones said she had voted against the raise considering the disadvantages for candidates given the sunshine law being able to discuss the issues, and she considered more meetings would help with that. Also all the new candidates understood the pay schedule, so now not doing is an injustice. Commissioner David Adams said a lot of people don’t understand commissioner responsibilities, given the number of telephone calls to field, and that he believes he earns what is paid. Commissioner Joyce Woodard suggested a different pay scale than currently approved, noting it should be somewhat less. Commissioner Matthew Hopkins noted if Commissioner Wilburn is right, then we don’t need to vote; should wait until we do know. Commissioner Roger Reedy said in his 24 years as a commissioner it has cost me a lot of dollars; considered the pay scale on trying to get people in middle careers to run, noting one loss $15K a year. Further he said we are the managers of the county funds and if the CE gets $113K a year but we do the managing, are we worth $5K a year; my last pay stub was $1700. Commissioner Annelle Guthrie said I was against it at the start, but given sickness of some of the commissions did not think there should be a penalty for certain reasoned absences. She suggested a smaller number of commissioners obviously would result in a larger increase per person . Commissioner Shelly Goolsby spoke to the changing times where now costs have gone significantly up for the county and for the public than when the resolution was originally approved. Commissioner Tracy Wilburn asked if it would be a burden for the Finance Office, the flat rate vs pay for attending individual meetings, and Shana Woodard of the Finance Office said not much difference. Commissioner Judy Pruett said this is a thankless job and most aren’t doing this for the dollars. Member of the public Nyla Valentine said she had talked to a lot of people, and the timing given the recent property tax increase and how tight their own budget is means most people are not impressed. She also asked why do you not have meetings when the majority of people are not working. Commissioner David Adams said if you don’t show up for work, you don’t get paid. He said the people will let you know when they vote. The Chair responded that such accountability would only occur every four years. A motion to call for the question was made by Commissioner James Lathrop, seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins noting a 2/3 majority approval required. Motion approved. Motion to approve the resolution failed to pass with the following commissioners voting no: Matthew Hopkins, David Adams, Terry Jones, Brad Butler.
New Business /Announcements – Question on changing an approved resolution for increased salary of commissioner legal with Commissioner Terry Jones saying you can increase but you can’t decrease. Commissioner Gayle Jones said CTAS will give you an opinion. Commissioner Joyce Woodard said she thought if it had not taken effect, you could still change.
Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner James Lathrop, seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour, other Commissioners James Lathrop, Terry Jones, David Adams, Matthew Hopkins Shelly Goolsby, Brad Butler (for Matt Rubelsky absent) Other Commissioners in attendance David Wamble, Roger Reedy, Carman Brown, Gayle Jones, Joyce Woodard, Rickie Carpenter, Erin Curry, Tracy Wilburn, Annelle Guthrie, Caleb Savage, Judy Pruett, Other – County Executive Graham Stowe, Director of Schools Dr. Vickie Beard, County Executive Graham Stowe, Sheriff Joe Purvis, Economic Director Phil Reese, EMA Josh Young, School Board Chair Knox Vanderpool FM Beth Moore-Sumners, Shana Woodard