Henry County proposes $287.8 million FY26 budget; keeps millage at 15.733 mills

Henry County staff on Thursday presented a proposed FY2026 General Fund and Special Service District budget of $287,800,000, a 10.8% increase over the FY2025 adopted budget, and recommended keeping the county millage rate at 15.733 mills.

The proposal, delivered by Benita Campbell, the county budget presenter, calls for funding to maintain current service levels while adding targeted capacity for growth. "Today, we will go through our second review of our FY 26 Proposed General Fund and Special Service District budget, which now includes the revenue projections," Campbell told the Board.

The proposed budget would support three major additions identified by county leadership: construction/operations for the North Mount Carmel Recreation Center, support for the newly established Henry County Police Academy, and preparation for two new fire stations (Stations 17 and 18) planned for FY2026 and FY2027. Major line items Campbell listed include $1,800,000 for critical-need personnel; $1,400,000 in personnel and expenses related to the fifth State Court Judge scheduled to begin in January 2026; $6,000,000 for debt payments; $4,200,000 for longevity and cost-of-living adjustments; $3,200,000 for insurance and pension increases; $1,500,000 for DLT (not further specified in the presentation); $3,300,000 for inmate medical costs and additional jail…