Leaders gather to discuss Madison County’s annual budget

JACKSON, Tenn. — Leaders in Madison County came together on Wednesday, May 15, in hopes that their budget would be approved.

Entities such as the Jackson Madison County Election Commission, library, Madison County Sheriff’s Office and more were represented as the budget finalizes for fiscal year 2025.

“Biggest increases is capital, and we were able to fund a whole lot more capital projects this year than last year. There were a lot of structural items like windows and things like that that need to be addressed, and so that was one big item we were able to fund,” said Carl Alexander, Budget Chairman for the Madison County Election Commission.

Alexander also listed another part of the 16.42% increase for the capital budget.

“We’ve got those state games coming in next year. And they, both in Madison County parks, has partnered with the City Parks Department, and to help host those games and a lot of it was just to get our parks up– put our best foot forward because we’re gonna have so many people from out of town seeing Madison County for the first time,” said Alexander.

An increase in pay was also approved for future commissioners

“That won’t take effect in this budget year. It actually won’t take effect until the 2026 year. State law prohibits us from giving our sales raises. So the that that will come in with the next school board, and with the next county commission after the elections of 26′. And it was a $250 increase,” said Alexander.

The overall budget has an increase of 5.57% for the fiscal 2025 budget from 2024.

“We’ve got seven people on the budget committee and we’ve got all finance all of our department heads. They all do a wonderful job. And I’m proud of every one of them and the job they’ve done,” said Alexander.

The budget will be presented in the upcoming June Madison County Commission meeting.

This is due to it being less than 10 days prior to the May meeting.

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