Newton County adopts 2025 millage rate, approves fire-services programs and confirms DFCS appointment

The Newton County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 5 adopted the countymaintenance-and-operations millage rate for 2025 and approved a package of Fire Services items, while also confirming a District 4 appointment to the Newton County Department of Family and ChildrenServices.

The board adopted a 2025 millage rate of 8.567 for county maintenance and operations and 0.892 for the fire district after Finance Director Britney White told commissioners the county had completed the required advertisements and public hearings. "We are seeking approval to adopt the millage rate at 8.567 for county M and O and for the fire district 0.892," White said. A motion to adopt the rates was made and seconded; the chair announced the motion carried.

Why it matters: the millage rate determines how the county translates the tax digest into revenue for county operations and fire services. Commissioners discussed the rate in the context of the budget process and public comments from residents who said the increase would burden seniors and fixed-income households.

The board also approved several items presented by Fire Services Chief Royce Turner. Turner described a memorandum of understanding with the Newton County School System to include fire-safety education in the schoolscurriculum and said the agreement requires no county match. He said the department won a grant to pilot a life-vest loaner program at Factory Shoals to reduce drownings in that area and hopes to expand the program to other local water sites, including Lake Verna and portions of the Yellow River. "We procured a grant that will pay for some life vests to put out in two areas," Turner said. The board voted to approve the MOU and the life-vest program.

Turner also asked the board to approve an agreement with Pearson VUE to host national registry EMT and advanced EMT certification testing locally. He said the nearest test site is currently in Forest Park and that the Pearson VUE agreement will allow county personnel and employees from other municipalities to take national testing in Newton County. The board approved the Pearson VUE agreement; Turner said the arrangement requires no county match.

The board amended and approved the consent agenda to confirm Juanita Thompson as the District 4 appointee to the Newton County Department of Family and ChildrenServices, replacing the late James Russell; her term was scheduled to expire June 30, 2026. Commissioners announced the consent agenda vote was unanimous.

Votes at a glance - Adopt 2025 millage rate (county M&O 8.567; fire district 0.892): motion carried (vote tally not stated in transcript). Finance Director Britney White presented the item. - Confirm appointment of Juanita Thompson to Newton County Department of Family and ChildrenServices (term to 06/30/2026): approved (consent agenda; recorded as unanimous). Moved as part of consent agenda amendment for District 4. - Approve MOU between Newton County Fire Services and Newton County School System to include fire-safety education (no county match): approved. Presented by Chief Royce Turner. - Approve life-vest loaner program at Factory Shoals (grant-funded; no county match required): approved. Presented by Chief Royce Turner. - Approve agreement with Pearson VUE to operate an authorized testing center for national registry EMT and AEMT exams (no county match): approved. Presented by Chief Royce Turner.

Board context and remarks: Commissioners questioned budget trade-offs and repeatedly referenced the budget process that preceded the millage decision. Commissioner Leanne Lawn said she worked extensively on the budget and that the adopted increase was smaller than some earlier proposals; Commissioner Edwards explained that House Bill 581 (state property-value limits for homestead properties) had frozen local property values for county tax purposes, and that the county did not control school system participation in HB 581.

What the board did not change at the meeting: no additional budget appropriations tied to these items were adopted on the floor; Fire Services items were described as not requiring a county match. The board adjourned after the votes.