Newton County hears updated FY2026 budget; residents urge limits on tax increases

Finance Director Bridal White presented an updated proposed fiscal year 2026 budget to the Newton County Board of Commissioners, outlining a countywide all‑funds total of $145,799,561 and an estimated millage rate of 8.6 that the presentation said would increase taxes by $94 on a $300,000 home.

White told the board the budget reflects revisions made after multiple discussions with commissioners in the prior week and that budget adoption is scheduled for the next regular board meeting at 7:00 on the seventeenth.

The proposed budget increases countywide spending 8.8% over the prior year and, in the general fund, includes a $3,700,000 comp-and-class adjustment, $1,500,000 for health insurance, $1,750,000 for additional positions tied in part to SPLOST projects, $1,000,000 for bridge repairs, $750,000 for culvert replacements, $245,000 for a virtual server upgrade, and $1,100,000 for ABM energy upgrade debt service. White said Keep Newton Beautiful was removed from the general fund and moved to the solid waste fund.

The presentation shows personnel costs as the largest general-fund category at about $71,900,000 (approximately 66% of the general fund). Revenues in the draft rely in part on an estimated millage rate of 8.6, a $400,000 increase in insurance premium tax revenue, a $400,000 increase in LOST collections, and a planned $4,000,000 use of fund balance, which finance staff said would leave the county at roughly the recommended six months of operating reserves.

Public commenters urged restraint and questioned elements of the draft. Kim Shue, a Quail Valley Road resident, said, "we must maintain our current budget without any increases, or very minimal increases with a non tax impact for the upcoming fiscal year," arguing higher budgets can raise taxes and burden households. Jennifer Dowd of Oxford said her market-value assessment rose more than expected and asked why some ongoing positions funded in the draft were not covered by SPLOST. Connie Osborne asked whether positions added to support SPLOST projects would be eliminated after projects end.

Elena Sanders questioned the county comparisons used in the presentation and urged the county to seek federal grants and other revenue sources to reduce reliance on property taxes. Larry McSwain thanked the board "for opting in to HB 581" and urged commissioners to continue holding millage rates near last year’s level. Douglas Johnson, a longtime resident, said the meeting audio is hard to hear and reiterated concerns about taxes for seniors.

Commissioners responded that work on the budget is ongoing. Commissioner Edwards (District 1) said using $4,000,000 in fund balance would put the county at the recommended six months of reserves and defended some personnel requests as necessary to implement SPLOST projects and to avoid higher contractor costs. Commissioner Mason said commissioners are conducting a line‑by‑line review and called for a stronger grant-writing effort to identify outside funding. Commissioner Long reiterated concerns about SPLOST long‑term maintenance costs and said, attributing figures to his own view, that about 59% of collected property tax revenue is distributed to the school board before the county receives its share. Commissioner Henderson emphasized retaining county employees and preserving services that affect public safety. Commissioner Cooper and others said they are continuing to seek efficiency savings and alternative revenue.

No budget ordinance or final vote occurred at the meeting; White said the board is scheduled to consider budget adoption at the next regular meeting. The session ended with a motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Long, seconded by Commissioner Edwards; the motion carried on a voice vote (tally not specified).

The board continues to review department requests, compensation adjustments, and ongoing costs tied to SPLOST projects; commissioners signaled possible further reductions, staggered implementation of compensation changes, and continued searches for grant funding before final adoption.