LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — In order to have appropriations for the beginning of the 2026-27 fiscal year, the Metro Council will meet tonight (Monday, June 29) in a special called meeting to consider the final budget vote of the Metro Moore Budget. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a public hearing to hear comments for or against the budget taking place at 6:20 p.m.

After failing its first reading in May when four absent council members left the body one vote short of the required two-thirds majority, the Metro Council passed the first reading by a 13-2 margin on June 15 with all 15 council members in attendance.

The budget carries a two-cent tax levy increase over the prior year — the same increase that divided the council in May. Budget Committee Chair Gerald Burnett clarified on June 15 that the two cents was moved from capital projects into debt service to cover the amortization schedule for the upcoming jail renovation. The practical effect, Burnett told the council, is that the cost of the project will be absorbed gradually rather than absorbed in a single budget year.

On June 15, Shane Taylor, Douglas Carson, Sunny Rae Moorehead, Arvis Bobo, Marty Cashion, Gerald Burnett, Amy Cashion, Dexter Golden, Jimmy Hammond, Greg Guinn, Houson Linsdey, John Taylor, and Bradley Dye voted in favor of the budget. Robert Bracewell and Peggy Sue Blackburn cast the two dissenting votes.

There are just five items on tonight agenda. Regina Adcock, who’s running for the Council’s District 5 seat in the upcoming election, has asked to make a public comment. The council will vote on the budget as well as appropriations and the tax levy, which currently stands at 1.7612 for rural residents and $1.768 for those in the urban services district. It will be appropriated as follows: .6689 County General, .0552 Solid Waste, .0097 Highway Department, 0.83 Moore County Schools, and .1974 Debt Service.

They will also approve the county’s annual nonprofit contribution which include $2,500 for Centerstone, $7000 for the Friend of Animals Rescue & Adoption Center, and $12,500 for the Moore County Senior Citizens. Total charitable giving will be $22,000.

The meeting will take place at the American Legion Building located off Highway 129. All Metro Council meetings are open to the general public. •

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