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Clayton County approves millage credit rollback after debate over fund balance and future tax risk
Summary
The Clayton County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 2025-182 to set the net mill rates after a credit rollback for fiscal 2025–26. Commissioners and staff debated the county's fund balance, revenue timing and whether future spending could trigger higher property taxes.
The Clayton County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt Resolution 2025-182 on Aug. 28, 2025, establishing the county's net mill rates after a credit rollback for fiscal year 2025–26 and authorizing the levy and collection of property taxes necessary to fund county operations and fire services.
The vote followed an extended discussion among commissioners and county finance staff about the county's fund balance, revenue timing and the potential for future property tax increases if expenses are not reduced. Miss Jackson, county finance staff, told commissioners, "There's approximately 86,000,000 as of this past Tuesday," when asked about the current fund balance.
Commissioner Allen asked how the fund balance is increased and when the county receives major revenue. Miss Jackson explained that the largest lump sum of revenue is from property taxes, which the county receives in November and December, and that the fund balance increases when revenues exceed expenses. Commissioner Reeves warned of consequences if spending is not reduced: "If we, as a county, do not cut back our expenses, next year, there will be a property tax increase. There may not be one this year, but based on the numbers... there was a tax increase the following year." Reeves also cited county tax-digest figures indicating that moving from a rollback rate in 2023 to the full millage rate in 2024 produced an additional roughly $49,800,000 in property-tax revenue.
During public comment, Shelly Ann Hollowell of Clayton County thanked the board for the rollback, telling commissioners, "we had to fight very hard, push back to try to get them to consider the temperature of the environment and... economic financial hardship that it will bring on us. So I just want to say thank you for considering the residents of Clayton County."
Board members discussed options to stabilize or grow fund balance, including diversifying revenue and attracting new businesses. A county chief operating officer said the county might need to reprioritize services or recommend service cuts if the board wants to direct more funding into the fund balance.
After discussion, the motion to approve Resolution 2025-182 carried. One commissioner registered a dissenting vote.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 2025-182 (net mill rates after credit rollback) ' Motion to approve adopted with one dissenting vote.
The resolution takes effect per the certification process required under county procedures; the resolution text authorizes the chair to execute necessary certification documents and provides for an effective date.
The board moved on to other agenda items following the vote.
