County staff told the Ash County Board of Commissioners on April 20 that department-head budget meetings were underway, the proposed budget would be presented at the May 19 regular meeting, and that the board planned to hold budget work sessions following the June 2 meeting.

Commissioners debated when to hold public comment and directed staff to add and advertise a public hearing at the June 2 meeting before the budget work session so residents could speak on the budget prior to the board’s workshops. Staff said the board could also hold multiple public hearings if needed and confirmed the workshop schedule would start at 9 a.m. each day when sessions occur.

Why it matters: The public hearing before the work sessions gives residents an opportunity to present concerns prior to the board’s in-depth budget review and helps inform commissioners before they finalize budget decisions.

Next steps
Staff will advertise the additional public hearing on the June 2 meeting agenda and prepare materials for the May 19 budget presentation and the subsequent work sessions. Commissioners agreed that the meeting on June 2 would include public comment and that they would begin workshop sessions the same day after the regular meeting.