Fayette County adopts FY2026 budget, holds millage steady at 3.763

Fayette County commissioners voted 5-0 on June 26 to adopt the Fiscal Year 2026 budget and Resolution 2025-06, keeping the millage rate at 3.763 and reporting a positive net impact to the General Fund.

Chief Financial Officer Sheryl Weinmann opened the second public hearing on the budget, telling the board the FY2025 projected fund balance was $30.2 million and that the county’s total revenue was $158 million while total expenses were $151 million. Weinmann said the proposed budget increases the General Fund balance by $2,363,693 and funds a rolling five-year Capital Improvement Program totaling $7,132,551.

Weinmann outlined an accounting change tied to the Griffin Judicial Circuit transition: ten judicial staff will remain on County payroll while the Griffin Judicial Circuit moves its accounting to an external firm as of July 1, 2025. She said the full cost for those employees was $973,155, that a $125,000 grant for juvenile judges reduces the immediate impact, and that Fayette County’s share of direct costs was $630,228. Weinmann said staff plans to bill the third‑party accounting firm $18,797 per month to recoup an identified $217,927 difference related to payroll timing.

Chairman Lee Hearn summarized the county’s fiscal position, saying the numbers showed “we were living within our means” and praising staff for a conservative approach to spending. The board approved the budget on a motion by Vice Chairman Edward Gibbons, seconded by Commissioner Charles Oddo; the motion passed 5-0.

The budget maintains current employee benefits (medical, dental, vision and retirement) and includes personnel changes intended to preserve service delivery, the CFO said.

Next steps: Resolution 2025-06 was adopted and will take effect July 1, 2025, the start of FY2026.