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Fulton County budget debate centers on court staffing, consent‑decree costs
Summary
At a Jan. 7 meeting the Fulton County Board of Commissioners reviewed a revised FY2026 budget that increases spending for federal consent‑decree compliance and funds staff for two new state‑court judges; judges, prosecutors, the public defender and the clerk warned underfunding will worsen backlogs and jail population pressures.
Fulton County commissioners on Wednesday opened a detailed review of the revised fiscal year 2026 budget, focusing on a large increase for consent‑decree compliance and the staffing needed for two newly authorized state‑court judges. County Manager said the county closed 2025 about $20 million better than projected, and the finance team presented a proposed revenue budget of $1,000,100,000 and an expenditures plan of $1,073,700,000 that would support an estimated 9.26 millage rate.
Why it matters: County officials told commissioners funding choices now could determine how quickly new judges can begin clearing backlogs and whether the county meets federal requirements tied to a consent order governing conditions at the Fulton County jail. County staff recommended placing roughly $53 million in a separate consent‑compliance fund to cover intensified staffing and compliance costs.
What was presented: County Manager said "the actuals coming out of 2025 were 20,000,000 better than projected," and CFO Sharon Whitmore gave line‑item detail for revenue and expenditure…
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