Athens-Clarke County leaders present FY26 budget, set public hearing schedule after state software delay

County staff on Thursday presented a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget that keeps major rates steady, adds a small number of positions and relies on a modest draw from prior-year reserves, while commissioners adjusted the schedule for required taxpayer hearings after a state software delay.

The budget presented uses roughly $700,000 of prior-year fund balance, calls for about $201,000,000 in general-fund expenditures and totals just under $350,000,000 across all funds, staff said. "I only use about $700,000 of prior year fund balance," said Nick (staff member), the presentation lead. The manager's recommended plan includes a 3% across-the-board pay-table increase for standard staff, a 4% market increase for long‑time unified pay employees, and a 3% pay-table increase for public-safety employees.

Why it matters: the budget funds day‑to‑day county services, new and ongoing positions, and plans for midyear hires while commissioners balance the need for public review and the statutory process that governs tax assessments and budget adoption.

Key budget details: the proposed plan holds the noted rate flat at 12.45 (as presented to the commission), and includes targeted new spending: an assistant director position in information technology (about $60,000 charged to public utilities), two public-utilities positions for project development and equipment maintenance, an additional $90,000…