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Whitfield County advances 2026 budget planning, approves SPLOST purchases and routine grants
Summary
The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners reviewed October finance figures, scheduled a formal vote on the 2026 budget next week, and unanimously approved multiple SPLOST-funded purchases, an opioid-abatement grant and routine license and equipment items.
The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 8 reviewed October financial results and approved a slate of spending and administrative items while scheduling a formal vote to accept the 2026 budget next week.
CFO Miss Godfrey told the board the county’s year-to-date collections through Oct. 31 included about $12.8 million in sales tax and $4.9 million in vehicle tax, with total revenues reported near $35.6–$35.7 million and expenditures roughly $53.2–$53.3 million. She said extra payments tied to solid waste and another item increased collections and produced an estimated surplus of about $3.3 million through October. "That is making it look a little higher than what was budgeted," she said.
The board approved the October financial report on a 4-0 vote. The chair said that timing — receiving some 2026 revenue early — creates a revenue-recognition issue and that part of the current surplus will likely be used to cover health-care costs and to smooth timing for next year.
On formal actions, commissioners unanimously approved a series of items: an opioid-abatement grant (ratification), an updated memorandum of understanding with the University of Georgia extension, an annual transit safety plan required for federal grant eligibility, and multiple SPLOST-funded projects and purchases. Notable approvals included:
- $25,900 to Terracon from SPLOST 2024 for geotechnical testing at West Side Park, approved unanimously.
- A $101,230 purchase of a flashover simulator for firefighter training (SPLOST 2024). Chief Patterson described the simulator as a way to "simulate a flashover condition" so firefighters can complete required live-fire certification in a safer, locally controlled environment.
- Roadwork and infrastructure: two culvert boxes on Crow Valley Road were awarded to the low bidder, Old Castle, for $106,633 (SPLOST). The board also approved the replacement of seven aging HVAC units at the county jail ($199,940 from SPLOST 2020) and a $41,000 commercial washer for jail laundry (Southeastern Laundry, SPLOST 2020).
- Administrative and routine approvals, including reapproval of 2026 alcohol license holders and the acceptance of grant-funded scrap-tire abatement results (the county reported 1,153 tires collected at the recent event).
Board members discussed rising health-care costs and the prospect of a six-month hiring freeze to control personnel expenses. The chair said officials are also exploring efficiencies, including potential IT tools, to reduce overtime and staffing strain.
Next steps: the board said it will post an updated 2026 budget on the county website and will vote to accept the budget at the next scheduled meeting in one week. Commissioners made clear that public feedback received during the budget hearing will continue to be incorporated into revisions prior to that vote.
