Newton County officials present $149 million proposed FY2026 budget; millage estimated at 9.3

Newton County officials on a special called meeting received a presentation on the county’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget that the finance director said totals about $149 million across all funds and includes an estimated general fund of roughly $112 million.

The presentation by Britney White, the county’s finance director, outlined major drivers of the proposed increase and identified a public hearing on the budget for June 10 and a planned budget adoption vote on June 17. White emphasized the document is a proposal and subject to change: "It is a proposed budget, so I wanna emphasize that. It is not a budget that has been voted on and is in stone."

Why it matters: The proposed package would raise the county’s estimated millage rate to about 9.3, which White said would amount to an estimated increase of around $175 a year on a $300,000 home. The budget proposal contains multi-million-dollar additions for employee compensation and benefits and includes continuing debt-service obligations tied to prior facility upgrades.

Key figures and…