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County finance staff outline FY25–26 budget kickoff; sales tax down slightly, property taxes up
Summary
Finance staff presented a budget kickoff showing a small decline in sales-tax receipts, a roughly $1 million increase in property and motor-vehicle tax collections year-to-date, higher Medicaid cost-settlement receipts, and an expected FY26 spike in debt service related to Franklin High School financing.
Macon County finance staff gave a fiscal-year 2025–26 budget kickoff on Feb. 11 that laid out early revenue and expenditure trends and the schedule for producing the proposed budget.
Finance director Laurie reported sales tax receipts for the first five months (reported lagged) are about 1 percent below the same period in the prior year — a decline of roughly $81,000. "We're down about $81,000 or 1%," Laurie said, noting the county hopes summer tourism and December holiday sales will improve collections.
Property and motor-vehicle tax collections were stronger: the county has collected approximately $29.7 million year-to-date, about $1.0 million more than the same point last fiscal year. Laurie said the current-year collection rate is 83.56 percent versus 82.16 percent the prior year and noted conservative budgeting practices for motor-vehicle taxes.
Laurie also said general fund revenues were up about $2.36 million compared with the same point last year; she cited approximately $1.27 million in additional Medicaid cost-settlement revenues that are required to be used in the health programs where they were earned.
Expenditures through Dec. 31 were slightly lower than the prior year, primarily because capital encumbrances issued last year had not been issued yet for the current year. The county—s debt-service schedule shows a notable increase in FY26 driven by Franklin High School loan principal and interest payments: FY25 debt service is about $5 million; FY26 jumps toward $9.5 million as principal and additional interest payments begin.
Staff said they plan to deliver a proposed budget in May, with additional capital improvement plan detail to follow in March. Interim County Manager Warren Cape asked commissioners to identify priorities for FY26 ahead of the next meeting so staff can reflect them in the proposed budget.
No budget ordinance or appropriation changes were adopted at the Feb. 11 meeting; staff asked for direction and scheduled follow-up presentations.
