Henry County adopts $287.8 million FY26 budget; library plea for $125,358 left unresolved

The Henry County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved the fiscal year 2026 general fund and special service district budgets totaling $287,800,000 while keeping the countys millage rate at 15.733 mills.

The board adopted the budget after a second public hearing and presentations from Benita Campbell, Henry County budget director, who said the FY26 proposal is 10.8% higher than the FY25 adopted budget and includes funding for a new North Mount Carmel recreation center, support for a newly established Henry County Police Academy, and preparation for two new fire stations planned for FY26 and FY27. Campbell said the proposed budget assumes the current millage rate and recommends 78 new positions, 12 of which are support staff for a fifth state court judge expected to start in January 2026.

The budget presentation listed major line items: $6 million for debt payments, a $3.3 million increase in inmate medical costs and jail personnel, $2 million for additional fire personnel for Stations 17 and 18, $1.8 million for critical-need personnel, $1.5 million for the Department of Transportation, and $1.4 million for personnel and operating costs related to the fifth state court judge.

During the public hearing, Leslie Walton, trustee for the Henry County Library System, asked commissioners to reconsider a decision not to include a requested $125,358 to cover employer health insurance and increased retirement contributions for library employees. Walton told the board that without the additional funds the library will likely cut services, hours, or staff. She said libraries provide services beyond lending books, including computer help for seniors, outreach to unsheltered residents, and summer programs that include eye exams and free glasses for children.

County staff and managers described the librarys funding mix in response. County Manager Sherry Matthews and budget staff said the county provides $3,100,000 in general fund support to the library in FY25, the state contributes about $475,080 (largely for salaries for state-employed library staff), and the system receives roughly $117,000 a year from building-permit impact fees (impact fees are split among libraries, public safety, and parks and recreation). Staff said the county has previously supplemented library insurance and salary increases and offered to meet with library leadership to review how the $3.1 million general-fund allocation is spent.

Campbell told the board the recommended FY26 budget is $27 million lower than departmental requests, in part because of concerns about federal tariff impacts, pending litigation over impact fees, economic uncertainty and possible grant losses. The budget summary also explained how a portion of an approximately $17.7 million additional 2024 property tax collection (largely tied to a 3-mill increase for fire, police and parks and rec) was allocated last year to capital purchases, contingency fund balance and debt service rather than being formally adopted into ongoing operating budgets.

Several commissioners thanked staff for the budget work and emphasized that the board did not raise the millage rate. Commissioner comments reiterated priorities of roads, parks and public safety and asked staff to accelerate the midyear pay study so that classification and compensation adjustments could be considered earlier in the cycle.

The boards vote to adopt the FY26 budgets carried unanimously. The board did not restore the librarys requested $125,358 at the time of the vote; staff committed to meeting with library leadership promptly and to pursue other avenues, including state lobbying, to help the system cover increased insurance costs.

What the board decided and what comes next: The adopted budget funds the specified additional positions and capital planning noted above. County staff said they will meet with library leaders to review the $3.1 million general-fund allocation and explore options to address the insurance funding gap. The board scheduled routine upcoming meetings and moved into executive session after the regular agenda.