Walton County board tentatively adopts $205.7 million FY2026 operating budget, sets millage at 15.965

The Walton County School District board on July 15 tentatively adopted a $205,743,626 operating budget for fiscal year 2026 and maintained a 15.965 maintenance-and-operations millage with a 0.0 debt-service millage, Superintendent said. The motion carried 6-0.

The superintendent told the board that the total reflects several mandated and one-time costs. "This current budget is $205,743,626. That is a 15.965 m and o millage with 0 debt service millage," he said. He highlighted a $10,000,000 one-time allocation for a renovation and addition at Carver Middle School and a roughly $4,100,000 required increase in health-care costs across the county.

The budget also includes a $1,400,000 increase for TRS costs, $1,800,000 for step increases in the teacher salary schedule, $3,100,000 for additional teachers and staff to address new and differing student needs, and $678,000 to cover higher energy costs. The superintendent said the district will increase employer matching for non‑TRS (PSERS) retirement plan employees from 2 percent to 4 percent, a change estimated at $225,000 intended to improve retention.

Board members moved to approve the superintendent's recommendation. "I have a motion for approval by Mister Butler," the chair said; the motion was seconded by Mister Jessup and passed unanimously, 6-0. The board described the action as tentative; the superintendent and chair noted the tentative budget must remain on the table for 30 days before final adoption.

Board members commended district staff for the budget work, noting the district received the second-highest financial efficiency rating in the state the previous year, an achievement the superintendent cited while framing spending priorities.

Next steps: The tentative budget will be available for the required 30-day period before the board considers a final adoption at the next scheduled meeting.