Dawson County unveils FY2026 budget proposal totaling $86.99 million; public hearings set

The Dawson County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 16 received a proposed FY2026 budget totaling $86,989,950 for all county funds and a balanced general fund plan that relies in part on $9.5 million in fund balance and robust sales-tax revenues.

The proposal, presented at a work session by the board chairman, would keep the county millage rate at the previously adopted 5.463 and allocates an estimated 30.64% of general-fund revenue to property taxes while relying heavily on local option sales tax and special project sales taxes to fund capital needs.

Chairman said the county aimed to prepare "a realistic revenue based budget" that preserves services while responding to increased personnel and operating costs. He said Dawson County’s mix of local option sales tax and special-purpose sales taxes allows the county to keep property taxes lower than many peers, noting, "for the citizens out there, that's unheard of." He also reminded commissioners that Georgia requires a balanced budget.

Why it matters: The proposal sets priorities for public safety, staffing and road projects while scheduling multiple public hearings before a final vote. The budget would affect staffing levels, capital projects funded by sales tax proceeds and how much of the county’s reserves will be used to balance operations.

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