The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 9 introduced the proposed 2026 operating budget and voted to place it on public display for 21 days, with a likely final adoption date of Dec. 30. County administrator Joe Venasco told the board the draft budget is balanced and does not include a county tax increase.

Venasco said real estate revenue rose about 0.6% this year, but the county is projecting an approximate 3% decrease in total revenue in the base budget, matched by an approximate 3% reduction in overall expenditures. He told commissioners that grant timing and later budget amendments commonly restore some revenues through the year.

The draft budget includes a proposed 3% cost-of-living adjustment for management and nonunion employees; elected-official adjustments will be set later based on a regional consumer price index figure due within days. Venasco and the commissioners said final salary board votes, required by state law, will occur on the first Monday in January if the budget is adopted.

Commissioners emphasized fiscal restraint in preparing the budget. Chair and other board members credited department heads and staff—naming Albert Antonelli and county controller staff—for their work on line-item review and said the plan aims to protect core services while keeping property tax rates unchanged.

The proposed budget will be available for review in the commissioners' office and posted on the county website. The board scheduled a likely adoption vote for its Dec. 30 regular meeting.