Department Heads Propose Budgets for the Upcoming Year

HUNTINGDON (April 3) — On Thursday, department heads for Carroll County government presented their requested budgets for the 2025-26 Fiscal Year. During talks, there were no big requests for budget increases other than the newly formed county fire department.

The County Fire Department submitted a proposal of $693,175, an increase of $297,588. Several line items submitted with increases include an assistant who is also a firefighter; data process service $19,900; maintenance (buildings) $60,000; maintenance (equipment) $42,500; maintenance (vehicles) $20,000; medical supplies $18,000; electricity $20,000; tires/tubes $12,000; and other charges $90,000.

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office had a budget request of $3,083,923, which was $615,484 less than the previous year. The County Jail’s budget request totaled $3,799,140, an increase of $159,517 mainly due to salaries and other employee-related expenses. The Drug Fund has a proposed budget of $93,789; the budget does not come from tax revenue but from drug and other criminal confiscations.

The Highway Department had a multi-part proposal. Under Administration, the proposed budget was $272,723 which was a $5,308 decrease from the previous year. Under Highway and Bridge Maintenance, the request was $1,160,817. For Operation and Maintenance of Equipment, the request was $733,210 which was $28,272 less than last year. Under Capital Outlay, the request was made for $1,940,000, this was a $205,000 increase.

There are several budget sections under the dominion of the Carroll County Mayor’s Office, the largest of which is County Buildings. The requested budget is $1,010,403 which is a $144,838 increase based on maintenance and a $68,000 on liability insurance. The second largest is Fund 101-51300 which is the personnel and other miscellaneous items. The proposed budget is $470,311. This is a $21,544 requested increase. The Mayor’s Office will also provide $10,000 for industrial development and $17,000 for economic and community development to the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.

The Juvenile and General Session Court presented a multi-part budget. Under just Juvenile Court the proposed budget was $230,378. Carroll Academy proposed a budget of $1,771,450. General Sessions proposed a budget of $222,903.

Solid Waste presented a proposed budget of $1,929,019. The proposition is $110,080 higher than the previous year mainly due to the 4% ($102,320) rate increase from Republic Services. The recycling center has a proposed budget of $649,205 which is a $31,945 increase primarily due to the need for new equipment.

The Carroll County Airport requested a budget of $523,786. This is an increase of $88,214 primarily based on a $45,000 facility improvement matching grant along with a $25,000 salary line item for part-time employees.

The County Clerk’s Office presented a budget request of $368,923 resulting in an increase of $13,445. The majority of the increase came from staff salary and benefits increases.

The Health Department proposed a budget of $296,631. The previous year’s budget of $915,698 included several renovations to the facility.

The Property Assessor’s Office requested a $283,118 budget for next year which would be an increase of $7,923 mainly on the cost of living increase accrued to salaries.

The County Trustee’s Office requested a $269,022 budget resulting in a $9,216 increase primarily focused on salary increases.

The Registrar of Deeds’ Office requested a $259,353 budget which is a $9,089 increase from the previous year.

The Election Commission requested a budget of $241,752. This is a decrease of $39,722 mainly due to the lack of a general election in the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.

Carroll County Emergency Services requested a budget of $206,829. This came at an increase of $68,384. The reason was for a one-time ask for a new vehicle valued at $43,573.

The Carroll County Library requested an increase of $23,106 from their previous budget. The proposed budget of $189,730 would then include four full-time employees. According to Librarian Erin Crockett, the majority of grants require four full-time employees. Crockett also stated they have had increased traffic flow due to providing tax preparation aid along with other technical assistance.

The Civic Center requested a $160,365 budget. This is an increase of $17,197 due to a $10,000 line item increase for electricity and a $3,275 increase for equipment maintenance.

The Office on Aging has a proposed budget of $145,399 which is a $4,711 increase mostly based on salary increase.

The Carroll County Agricultural Extension Office requested a budget of $74,233. This is an increase of $4,632 due to an employee promotion.

The Budget Committee meets again on April 24 to continue work on the budget.