The Fairmont Sentinel reports…

The Martin County Board of Commissioners on Monday held a 2026 preliminary budget work session. As it stands, the county is looking at a 9.87 percent levy increase. It needs to adopt a preliminary budget and levy next month but won’t set the official amount until December.

They discussed a number of topics included in the budget and changes in the commission. Broadband was part of the discussion…

To close, Higgins asked the board what it wanted to see done next. Loughmiller said he was happy to leave the budget and levy it as is for now, though he did say he would like to see more done for broadband.

The board discussed using money from the reserves or the CIP.

“I’d like to continue to build the infrastructure and make Martin County a destination place. Western Martin County is where the broadband gap is,” Loughmiller said. “If we can do it, I’d rather invest in that kind of stuff.”

Koons said there was money set aside. However, he said if the $1.8 million, set aside for the justice center, was taken out completely, it would be about a 2.47 percent increase to the levy.

As it is, in 2026, the board is looking to utilize $1.453 of the $1.8 million, originally levied for the justice center project, to put toward broadband.