Crawford County officials made significant strides in budget planning during their recent meeting, focusing on the financial needs of local fire districts. The meeting kicked off with a budget hearing for Fire District Number 2, where commissioners swiftly moved to open and close the hearing without public comment. They unanimously approved the 2026 budget for the district, highlighting the county's commitment to fire safety and emergency services.

The discussion then shifted to Fire District Number 3, where another budget hearing was conducted. Again, the commissioners moved quickly, closing the hearing after no comments were made and passing the 2026 budget. A key resolution was also approved, allowing the county to levy a property tax exceeding the revenue neutral rate for this district, ensuring adequate funding for fire services.

In a notable development, Alyssa Edwards, the Road and Bridge Coordinator, presented a contract for a bridge project in collaboration with KDOT. The project, which received five bids, was awarded to the lowest bidder, B and B, with a total cost of approximately $4.85 million. Remarkably, the county's financial contribution is expected to be zero, as the project falls under a funding agreement that covers all expenses.

These decisions reflect Crawford County's proactive approach to maintaining essential services and infrastructure, ensuring that both fire safety and transportation needs are met without additional financial burden on local taxpayers.