Budget approved, burn ban stays 

V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute

Update: The Burn Ban was lifted on Friday evening by Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur

Marion County Commissioners approved their 2026 budget and combined tax rate of $0.5358775 per $100 in valuation during Monday’s regular meeting.

Commissioners addopted the same tax rate as last year.. 

The also approved a small deficit budget but feel the deficit will be made up for through under spending and additional revenue added to the tax roll this year.

Commissioners also received a positive report on their audit of the 2024 fiscal year by Rod L. Abbott, CPA, PLLC.

In other business, Commissioners:

• set the salaries for elected officials

• approved the County Clerk’s Records Archival Plan

• set salaries for the 276ht and 115th Court Reporters

• set salary for Marion County Auditor

• approved the TCDRS plan for 2026

• declared September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

• approved continuing the lease on the old Mims VFD Building to the Friends of Lake O’the Pines in agreemenet with the USACE

Lastly, Commissioners chose to continue the Burn Ban across the county as there has not been enough rainfall county wide at this time. They also approved allow Judge LaFleur to end it at his discretion.