Harris County presents FY2026 proposed budget; no millage increase proposed

Harris County presented its proposed fiscal year 2026 budget during a May 6 budget work session, with County Manager Cheryl saying the all-funds proposal totals $65,622,604 and is down $5,595,852, a 7.85% decrease from the prior year.

Cheryl told the Board the proposal includes a 3% cost-of-living increase effective July 1 and a 1% longevity allowance, and “the proposed budget does not anticipate a millage increase.” She said the budget as presented assumes access to reserves (she described the proposal as using about 8.5% in reserves) to balance remaining gaps.

Why it matters: the proposed spending plan lays out recurring personnel increases and a slate of capital projects funded by a mix of grants and local SPLOST/T-SPLOST sources. Commissioners will review the proposal at future budget hearings on June 3 and June 17 before final adoption.

Key facts and highlights presented

- Total proposed all-fund budget: $65,622,604 (a decrease of $5,595,852 from the prior year). - Personnel: 3% COLA (effective July 1) and 1% longevity increase (on anniversary month). - Reserves: the manager said the proposed budget assumes using reserves (described in discussion as 8.5% of the budget) to balance remaining shortfalls. - Cash balances: the county ended June 2024 with $34.7 million in operating funds; as of April 25, those operating funds were $33.1 million, roughly $1 million lower than June 2024, the manager said.

Capital and project highlights called out in the presentation

- Community center: $75,000 for fitness equipment. - Development Authority / Northwest Harris Business Park: $100,000 in professional/technical services for site preparation (the county discussed starting with $100,000 in FY2026 and programming the bulk of costs in the following year for full site readiness). - Radio system (non-departmental): $1,036,511. - LRA (GDOT) / LMIG funding: the manager reported receiving approximately $1,103,000 in LRA/LRIG monies; a previously planned resurfacing (Hopewell Church Road) is funded at about $930,000. - Courthouse renovations: $1,500,000 (identified as a capital project funded by SPLOST/T-SPLOST sources where applicable). - Elevated water tank (Mulberry Grove): $2,400,000 (ARPA and SPLOST cited as funding sources). - Roads and bridges: $1,400,000 from T-SPLOST. - Airport: a $750,000 award for terminal expansion was noted; the county also discussed a potential $1,600,000 GDOT/FAA/state grant for hangar site preparation with an estimated local share of roughly $88,825 if the grant is received. - Water system projects listed included continuing the US‑27 water project ($50,000), a line inventory ($580,000), PFAS work ($627,000), and seven generators ($657,000). The county is also budgeting for purchased water costs (example figures presented: $1,200,000 from Columbus; $125,000 from Talbot County) and newly assessed Georgia Power reservoir/access charges.

Discussion and next steps

Commissioners and staff discussed the use of reserves, cash balances, and the timing of projects that depend on grant awards. The manager said some capital items were included in the proposed budget in anticipation of receiving grant funds; she cautioned that projects would only proceed if the external funding is awarded. Commissioners asked for supporting documents and a brief “cheat sheet” explaining the main drivers of a roughly 21% increase in general‑fund expenditures compared with two years prior, noting that part of that change reflects new departmental budgets (e.g., a newly active development authority) and two recent salary studies.

No final adoption vote was taken; the presentation was the opening budget work session. The Board scheduled additional hearings (public hearings advertised for June 3 and June 17) where commissioners will consider adjustments and take formal action.