Decatur County Council Approves 2026 Budget Amid Funding Requests, Salary Debates, and Public Health Concerns

The meeting began with the September 16th meeting minutes.

Dottie Robbins, Recorder presented Ordinance 2025-17, this approves the pay for part time employees in her department to receive compensation out of the perpetuation fund when they are completing the tasks allowed. Dottie said that digitizing is almost complete on records back to 1823.

Sheriff Bill Meyerrose reported that the Sheriff’s overtime budget has been exhausted. He requested permission to use funds from the Detention overtime budget to cover any remaining Sheriff’s Office overtime through the end of 2025. However, both the County Council and Auditor Christy Smiley expressed concerns about the feasibility of this request, noting that the Detention overtime budget is funded through the Jail Special Purpose Tax, which is specifically designated for expenses related to the detention center. Sheriff Meyerrose estimated that approximately $10,000 would be needed to cover the shortfall. He stated that he would follow up with Auditor Smiley to determine the appropriate next steps.

Sean Durbin, Decatur County Health Department Executive Director spoke about the community wide rat concern that is occurring in Clarksburg. He stated that the funding to take care of this issue will need to come from the county general fund. Sean said that he would speak with the commissioners about the funds needed. Sean stated that they have identified 30 homes that are impacted that will need eradication. He states that he is working with the Area Plan Office concerning blighted properties that are involved with this situation. He stated that a child bite and a rat found in a bed with a female has been reported. Sean said that it is important that they respond quickly and all at one time to appropriately get rid of them as rats can carry up to 25 different diseases.

Sean provided the Council members with the 2026 County Wide Health Plan.

Durbin received approval to retroactively pay and adjust the 2026 salary for one of his Environmental Health Specialist. Sean stated that he had received approval to hire this position in April 2024 at $42,900 however the staff was hired in at $40,436. The 2026 salary was set for $41,650, however with the correction the salary will be $45,512.61. Sean stated that he is going to pay the retroactive amount out of his cash balance.

Michael Snyder, Emergency Management Agency received approval to raise the Deputy Director position from $18/hr to $20/hr. He will work 60 hours per pay period. The annual payment will not change as the amount budgeted was $31,200 and that will not change.

Snyder also received approval to apply for two grants for Emergency Management.

Chris Noblitt, Executive Director of the Parks Department, formally requested a 3% salary increase for 2026, citing concerns that a staff member reporting to him would otherwise earn more than his current salary. County policy states that employees hired after July 1 of a given year are not eligible for pay increases in the following budget cycle. Noblitt was hired on July 2.

During the council meeting, members discussed the request at length, ultimately resulting in a split vote with three in favor and three opposed. Council President Danny Peters cast the tie-breaking vote, denying Noblitt’s request.

Councilwoman Ashley Hungate noted that the salary difference would be approximately $460 annually, with the staff member earning slightly more. Noblitt acknowledged the staff member, “Rob,” does excellent work, but emphasized that, as the director, he is responsible for Rob’s performance and overall department operations.

Some council members supported Noblitt’s position, stating that a subordinate should not earn more than their supervisor. Others expressed concern that granting the exception could set a precedent and potentially lead to a wave of similar requests.

The final vote was as follows:
Yeas: Kenny Hooten, Ernie Gauck, Bill Metz
Nays: Ashley Hungate, Deanna Burkart, Rick Nobbe, and Danny Peters

Council members agreed that this issue should be reviewed more broadly in the future to determine whether adjustments to the policy are warranted.

Noblitt presented Interest Ordinance 2025-18, stating that the Parks Department will receive the interest that is being earned off of their account funds instead of those interest dollars being deposited into county general. The Parks Department has approximately $300,000.

Erica Gunn, Tourism Executive Director was denied her request for a 2026 salary increase from $56,198 to $58,525.63. Gunn stated that board members Ryan Maddux and Daniel Fayette asked her to come before the council and advocate for the increase. One of the reasons raised for the request was that the Tourism board would like to see her salary in line with the Parks & Recreation Department Executive Director’s salary. The requested increase was in line with the 3% raise that was denied for the Parks Department Executive Director salary. The 2026 salary is budgeted within $600 from the 2026 Parks & Recreation Executive Director’s salary. It was also stated that the planned salary is within alignment with the salary study.

The Council approved a $2,500 additional line item for fuel and maintenance costs in 2026 for the Veterans office transportation van that they recently acquired grant funding from the Decatur County Community Foundation to purchase.

The Council approved Dunn Bank to invest the funds that they have sitting in the Decatur County fund. These funds are paid monthly by the county to pay insurance expenses for the county. Auditor Smiley stated that there is approximately 1.6 million dollars in this account. The investment will be utilizing interest bearing accounts with no risk for the funds in the account.

The Council approved all transfers, additionals, and the quarterly salary ordinance amendments.

The council approved the 2026 Decatur County Budget.

Chris Ramey – WTRE News

All rights reserved – WTRE, Inc.

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