The Camden County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s amended budget at a public work session, with a 4–1 vote; Commissioner Goodman cast the lone dissent. The board separately approved the solid waste and curbside budgets unanimously and approved funding a project-manager position at 75 percent.

Why it matters: The vote concludes a months‑long budget process that included department submissions, a budget committee review and multiple public work sessions. Commissioners debated several large capital and operating items — including a proposed replacement airport and a planned jail project — and discussed whether any remaining cuts should be made before final adoption.

Board timeline and votes: County staff outlined the budget calendar and review process, noting the CFO’s February kickoff, budget committee hearings in April and a public hearing held June 12 with no public speakers. On June 24 the board held a special called meeting to set the solid waste and curbside budgets; Commissioner Smith moved to approve those budgets and the board passed them unanimously. When the board considered the main county budget, an amendment to fund a project-manager position at 75 percent was made by Commissioner Turner, seconded by Commissioner Smith, and passed. A motion by Commissioner Goodman to cut funding for a proposed replacement airport (moved and seconded in the meeting transcript) failed 4–1; only Goodman voted in favor of cutting that funding, leaving the airport allocation intact. Chairman Martin then called for approval of the amended budget; Commissioner Smith moved to approve and the board adopted the budget 4–1.

What commissioners said: Chairman Martin emphasized the budget’s multi‑stage process and said "at any time during this process, including the meetings and work sessions, anyone could have made suggestions for cuts." Commissioners who were not on the budget committee said they felt limited in the level of detail available to them during the committee hearings and requested additional briefing and follow‑up work sessions before adopting future budgets.

Context and fiscal limits: Staff and commissioners discussed the county’s use of fund balance to balance this year’s budget, the effect of rollback rates on revenues and the board’s prior strategic‑planning priorities. Finance staff reported the budget relies on the fund balance more than planned and that additional cuts could have reduced that drawdown. Several commissioners repeatedly raised the need to align capital projects with voters’ opposition to tax increases.

What’s next: Commissioners requested follow‑up work sessions on specific capital projects — including the jail, the soccer complex, parks maintenance and procurement limits — to provide greater detail for possible future adjustments.

Votes at a glance: Solid waste/curbside budgets: approved unanimously. Motion to cut airport funding: failed 4–1 (Goodman in favor of cut). Project‑manager position at 75%: passed. Final amended county budget: approved 4–1 (Goodman opposed).