Van Buren County judge warns of long-term road-funding squeeze; court approves $60,000 emergency support for 911
Summary
County Judge Dale Lynch told the quorum court that county road revenues tied to mineral production have fallen sharply since 2022, prompting staff cuts and equipment-cost pressures. The court voted to amend and approve a one-time $60,000 transfer to 9-1-1 to keep dispatch functioning while budget committee review is scheduled.
County Judge Dale Lynch told the Van Buren County Quorum Court that long-term declines in revenue tied to natural gas and oil production have forced cuts to the road department and left the county with difficult choices about whether to supplement other functions.
Lynch said the county has reduced the road department staff and spending to match lower road-fund receipts. "The squeeze is on, and it's a tight squeeze," he said, summarizing recent budget moves and explaining why the county has cut nine full-time road department positions and converted two employees to part-time hours.
Nut graf: The court debated a proposed $180,000 transfer from county general to the 9-1-1 fund after the road fund signaled it could not continue covering dispatch costs. After extended discussion on reserves and competing priorities, the court amended the appropriation to $60,000 and approved the amendment, saying the smaller sum is intended to keep dispatch functioning while the budget committee and staff produce a fuller plan.
Lynch gave a historical overview of local sales and use taxes and county millage changes dating to the 1990s to explain the current revenue picture. He told the court that county road inflows (excluding one-time grant spikes) were roughly $3.7 million in 2022, $3.1 million in 2023 and about $2.8 million in 2024, and he projected about $2.5 million for the current year; he noted the last time revenues were at that level was 2009. Lynch said the county paid more than $70,000 last year on cold patch alone and that major equipment prices and wages have risen substantially since 2009.
Court members pressed for additional detail and recommended routing a fuller response through the budget committee before making a larger, permanent commitment. Multiple justices said they were willing to fund a short-term stopgap to avoid service interruptions but asked for a targeted review. One justice noted the county general fund has been subsidizing many items in recent years and said new, larger subsidies should be vetted.
After discussion, the court considered an appropriation ordinance to move $180,000 into the county 9-1-1 system fund (ordinance O2025-29). Justice members moved to amend the ordinance to $60,000 to fund roughly one month of operations while staff and the budget committee examine alternatives; the amendment passed and then the amended ordinance was approved by roll call.
Ending: County leadership said they will bring more detailed budget and fund-balance information to the budget committee for review. The $60,000 transfer was passed as an interim measure; the court signaled it will revisit 9-1-1 funding and road-fund strategy during its next budget-cycle meetings.
