Appling County commissioners voted to approve the county’s 2026 budget and confirmed the Local Mental Health Entity (LME) line was moved back into the general fund.

A staff member presenting the budget said, “I have no change from the public hearing. I’m gonna present budget of $24,000,009.17,” and added, “Please keep in mind, we did move the LME back into the budget. So it will be in our general fund.” Commissioner Barnes moved to approve the budget as written; Commissioner Jones seconded the motion. The chair called for the vote and the motion was carried.

The presenter noted the changes reflected the public hearing and emphasized the LME placement in the general fund. Commissioners did not detail additional line-item changes during the discussion recorded in the transcript. The presenter also said the budget as presented included the cost items discussed earlier in the session.

The board’s formal approval will be reflected in the minutes, per the presenters’ request. The transcript did not record a roll-call tally showing each commissioner’s vote by name.