Newton County adopts $143.6 million FY26 budget, estimates 8.6 millage rate

The Newton County Board of Commissioners voted June 17 to adopt the countywide fiscal year 2026 budget and an accompanying appropriations resolution, approving a proposed total budget of $143,600,000 and authorizing related appropriations.

Finance Director Britney White told commissioners the approved budget covers all county funds — general, special revenue, capital and enterprise — and includes a compensation-and-class plan increase of $3.7 million, a health insurance cost increase of about 14% (roughly $1.5 million), a $1.75 million contingency for new positions and uses $4 million of fund balance. "So the total budget for the FY26 proposed amount is a $143,600,000," White said as she reviewed highlights.

The budget package identifies spending for public works (including $1 million for bridge repairs and $750,000 for culvert replacements), a $245,000 virtual server upgrade, a $1,176,000 debt payment tied to an energy upgrade loan to ABM/Huntington Bank, and a departmental move that shifts the Keep Newton Beautiful program from the general fund to the solid waste fund. White also presented an estimated millage rate of 8.6 and said that equates to an estimated $94 increase on a $300,000 house; she noted the final tax digest had not yet been certified.

Why it matters: the budget sets the county's spending priorities for the coming fiscal year and includes personnel and infrastructure investments that affect county operations and services. White framed personnel services as the largest single component of the general fund at 66.1% of expenditures, followed by contracted services, supplies and debt service.

Discussion and vote: Commissioners asked clarifying questions about changes since the last presentation, the ABM-related borrowing, and minor departmental adjustments. Commissioner Edwards moved to approve the budget resolution as presented; the motion passed and the board then approved the external appropriations resolution. During the adoption of the first resolution a commissioner withheld a vote. County counsel explained that Georgia law does not compel an elected official to cast a vote and that the county charter addresses only specific circumstances for abstention or absence.

Commissioner Long praised staff and fellow commissioners for the work on the budget, saying, "you gotta work together with your people" and emphasizing the need to support county employees. Commissioner Mason urged colleagues to avoid using abstentions as a substitute for voting, calling for officials to cast affirmative yes or no votes when possible. County counsel explained the charter and state law encourage votes but do not provide a mechanism to force a member to vote.

Next steps and context: With the budget resolutions adopted, the county will proceed to adopt a final millage rate in a later step once the tax digest is certified. White said the millage figure shown is an estimate. The budget presentation also included the May financial report and other departmental updates that staff said informed the final numbers.

No legislation or contract award beyond the budget resolutions was executed as part of this item; the board approved the two resolutions to adopt the FY26 budget and appropriate funds for the coming year.