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Echols County commissioners unanimously amend 2024 budget after mixed variances
Summary
The board unanimously approved a 2024 budget amendment after staff reported several revenue surpluses (notably intergovernmental and property tax receipts) and notable departmental overspending in elections and roads and bridges.
On Aug. 7, 2025, the Echols County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted an amendment to the 2024 budget to reflect updated revenue and expenditure figures.
Commissioner Bobby Walker moved to amend the 2024 budget; Commissioner Justin Staten seconded and the motion passed 5‑0. Commissioners reviewed a department‑by‑department reconciliation showing both positive and negative variances compared with projections.
Key figures reported by staff and read into the record include: projected property tax revenue of $1,964,194 versus actual collections of $2,197,162 (a surplus of $232,968); sales tax actual receipts of $257,206 versus a projection of $194,000 (surplus $63,206); intergovernmental revenue actuals of $465,767 versus a projection of $104,171 (surplus $361,596). Departments with significant negative variances included charges for services (projected $352,859; actual $115,902; deficit $236,957), election costs (projected $31,250; actual $93,887; deficit $62,637) and roads and bridges (projected $503,541; actual $706,245; deficit $202,704). Other departmental surpluses and deficits were recorded in areas such as insurance premiums, franchise fees, fines and forfeiture, and program expenses.
Commissioners said the variances will require careful monitoring going forward. No changes to departmental staffing or service levels were adopted that evening; the amendment adjusts the accounting to match the reported actuals for 2024.
The motion to amend the budget was approved 5‑0. The record shows no separate amendments or roll‑call disputes; detailed figures were entered into the minutes for reference.
