Spalding County lays out seven 2026 priorities; officials flag SR‑155 funding loss and water‑system concerns
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Summary
County manager presented seven budget priorities including jail needs and tax evaluation. Commissioners reacted to a Georgia DOT letter declining SR‑155 redesignation funding and pressed for contingency planning after a recent water incident flagged insufficient notification and alternative supply options.
The Spalding County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 2 reviewed seven priorities officials will use to shape the fiscal‑year 2027 budget and heard updates on transportation funding and a recent water incident that raised readiness questions.
County Manager Dr. Ledbetter outlined the board's retreat priorities for 2026: addressing jail needs; evaluating taxes; strengthening code enforcement; improving transportation infrastructure; enhancing animal control services; managing trash and waste; and supporting efforts to reduce homelessness. He said staff will use those priorities during budget preparations and provide monthly updates to the board.
Dr. Ledbetter also told the board the Georgia Department of Transportation, in a Jan. 15 letter, told the county it currently lacks funding to redesignate State Route 155 and does not expect to fund the redesignation in fiscal years 2027–2030. "They have indicated that they do not have funding available for the redesignation of State Highway 155," he said, and recommended the county pursue Atlanta Regional Commission or other funding sources.
That announcement drew frustration from commissioners who said the county had invested time and money preparing for the redesignation. The manager said the recommended alternative is to seek regional grants and other funding sources.
Separately, Commissioner Flowers Taylor raised concerns about a recent incident involving glycol contamination in the water supply, questioning the timeline of notifications and whether the county and its partners had contingency plans to supply hospitals and residents if the primary provider could not deliver water. Flowers Taylor said the county manager had described the glycol involved as "not, you know, toxic based. It was food based," but added, "people don't know that," and urged clearer documentation and readiness: "It's really important to me that we figure out how we are going to be prepared for the next time."
Other commissioners said the contract with the City of Griffin places the county in a long term arrangement for water service and recommended pursuing alternative interconnections so the county could tap another source in an emergency.
Also during the meeting, the county manager reported that Warden Eric Sellers was sworn in by the Board of Corrections for the county corrections institute, and staff noted receipt of a notice from Lamar County about an application to expand the Cedar Grove Municipal Solid Waste Landfill; the manager said the proposed expansion is substantial and encouraged public participation in the hearings.
What happens next: staff will incorporate the board's seven priorities into the FY27 budget process, pursue regional funding options for the SR‑155 redesignation, and the board asked for additional documentation and after‑action information about the recent water incident.