Clayton County adopts FY‑2026 budget package after debate over millage and amendments

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners voted June 24 to adopt a resolution to approve the proposed FY‑2026 budget together with budget amendments 1, 3 and 4, after public comment and extended discussion among commissioners.

The vote implements changes proposed during a budget hearing and follow‑up presentation by interim CFO Angela Jackson, who said the proposed general fund budget for FY‑2026 is $335,000,000 and that the proposal was prepared with a net millage rate basis of 15.126 mills (the FY‑2025 net millage was 15.266 mills). The board debated whether adopting the amendments would require advertising a property tax increase and how rollback calculations would affect revenues.

Why it matters: The budget funds public safety, courts and capital projects and includes targeted salary adjustments while commissioners argued about balancing services without shifting additional tax burden to residents.

Jackson summarized the budget process and headline figures during the presentation, saying the county’s proposed FY‑2026 general fund is $335,000,000, representing a 6% increase over the FY‑2025 adopted budget and a 3% decrease from the FY‑2025 amended budget. She…