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Henry County meeting roundup: commission begins bridge-levy process, accepts road bid contingent on grant, approves policies and reallocations
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Summary
At its April 8 meeting, Henry County commissioners voted to begin the process to set a maximum cumulative bridge levy up to 10¢, accepted a low paving bid contingent on a Community Crossings grant, approved a fixed-asset policy and reallocated opioid-settlement funds to harm-reduction outreach. Several routine claims and payroll items also passed.
Henry County commissioners on April 8 opened several procedural and budgetary actions, including beginning the process to set a maximum rate for the county’s Cumulative Bridge fund, accepting a low bid for road pavement contingent on state grant approval, and approving financial and administrative policies.
Levy process: The board heard from Jason Simler of Baker Tilly on the legal steps needed to increase the county’s cumulative bridge levy: two newspaper publications, a public hearing, a 30-day remonstrance period, and submission to the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF). Simler told commissioners the DLGF filing date is May 31 and that the county’s existing cumulative bridge levy is roughly 2¢. He cautioned that while the bridge levy may be raised up to 10¢, raising that levy affects the county’s overall maximum levy and could require lowering levies on other funds.
After discussion about timing and fiscal trade-offs, a commissioner moved to begin the process to set the maximum cumulative bridge rate at 10¢ to allow the county council later flexibility; the motion was seconded and passed 3–0. Commissioners emphasized that this action sets a maximum to advertise and does not itself raise the overall tax rate.
Road bids and grant dependency: County staff presented three pavement bids; Evergreen Roadworks submitted the low bid of $840,540. Commissioners voted 3–0 to accept Evergreen’s bid contingent on award of the Community Crossings matching grant.
Policy and funding actions: The board approved Ordinance 2026-04-08002, a fixed-asset capitalization policy intended to improve tracking of county assets; and approved Resolution 2026-04-08003 to reallocate approximately $2,986.24 in opioid-settlement funds to harm-reduction street outreach and supplies for the health department. Both measures passed unanimously.
Other business: A sheriff’s office request to spend $19,135.98 from the jail bond for office furniture failed for want of a second and no action was taken. Commissioners voted 3–0 to require the sheriff’s office to pay a $999 drone-insurance add-on (and related pending items) from commissary funds. County Surveyor Mr. Rust briefed the board on a state-authorized Watershed Development Commission option for Flat Rock watershed drainage; commissioners asked for more information and took no action.
Procedural items including approval of prior minutes, claims and payroll were passed by voice vote. After handling the remaining items the board adjourned.
