Jasper County adopts 9.718 M&O millage and approves FY2026 general fund budget

The Jasper County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 22 unanimously adopted a maintenance and operations (M&O) millage rate of 9.718 for 2025 tax billing and approved the county—Y2026 General Fund expenditure budget.

County Manager Mike Benton told commissioners the rollback rate could change slightly because property assessment appeals remain open; he said the appeals window closes Sept. 18 and the Tax Assessor has scheduled a Sept. 15 meeting to finalize the digest. "The state allows 3% difference in what is adopted," Benton said, noting the board has until its Oct. 6 meeting to make adjustments if necessary. Benton also said the school board will meet Sept. 2 to make a recommendation to the commissioners.

Commissioner Steven Ledford, who moved to adopt the millage and later moved to adopt the budget, said he supports caution on spending. "Looking back historically I don't want us to get to a point where if the economy crashes again we are struggling and having to go up on taxes," Ledford said, repeating his request for a zero-based budget review to ensure the county is funding only what it needs.

Commissioner Asher Gray seconded the motions approving the budget, and Commissioner Sheila Pounds seconded the motion adopting the millage; votes were unanimous. The board did not record a specific tally by member beyond the unanimous outcome.

Next procedural steps cited by staff: the tax digest finalization planned by the Tax Assessor Board on Sept. 15, the Board of Education iscussion on Sept. 2, and the Sept. 18 close of the assessment appeals window. The commissioners noted the millage could be adjusted at the Oct. 6 meeting if appeals materially change the rollback calculation.

No additional public testimony or legal citations were provided during the discussion.