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Henry County Council unanimously requests higher max levy to fund bridge and culvert repairs
Summary
The Henry County Council voted unanimously at a special meeting to request permission from the Department of Local Government Finance to increase the county's maximum property-tax levy. Councilors said the additional capacity would be designated for bridge and culvert repairs, citing a county spreadsheet estimating about $9.8'$10 million in needs;
The Henry County Council voted unanimously at a special meeting to request that the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) approve an increase to the county's maximum property-tax levy to create dedicated funding for bridge and culvert repairs.
Council members said the request will be accompanied by a written rationale and the county engineer's spreadsheet as the baseline justification. Council members repeatedly referenced a county estimate of roughly $9.8 million to $10 million in bridge repair needs over the next six years, and singled out the bridge on 400 South, estimated at $2.4 million, as an example of a structure that could require federal-aid scheduling and a multi-year closure if not addressed.
The move follows discussion that Henry County's assessed value rose about 15% between 2023 and 2024 while the state average rose about 10%, producing additional levy capacity. One council member summarized the homeowner effect as small, saying, "so you're looking at, let's say, $4 or less would be the average impact to the household in Henry County." That estimate was presented as a rough calculation and the council noted the absence of Baker Tilly staff from the meeting to verify the figure.
Council members emphasized two procedural points. First, the petition to DLGF must include a stated reason for the increase; the council agreed to tie the request to capital needs for bridges and small structures (culverts). Second, if approved the higher maximum levy becomes part of the county's levy base going forward; it is not a one-time allocation.
A council member moved to request the petition to increase the maximum levy with the reasoning of updating bridges and culverts in the county, and to provide the county spreadsheet as the baseline justification; another council member seconded. The council voted by voice; multiple members said "Aye" and the motion passed unanimously.
Next steps recorded during the meeting: staff will file the petition to the DLGF with the stated justification and attach the spreadsheet referenced in the discussion. The council did not specify an effective dollar increase in the meeting beyond the discussion estimates.
