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Henry County holds public hearing on proposed $231.5 million FY2026–27 budget; tax-rate hearing set for April 28
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Summary
Henry County’s board heard a staff overview of the proposed FY2026–27 budget, which is balanced at $231,528,674 and includes a $117,973,744 school budget. The board authorized a supervisor’s electronic participation and reminded residents that a separate public hearing on tax rates tied to the reassessment is scheduled for April 28 at 6 p.m.
Henry County’s Board of Supervisors held a public hearing April 20 on the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget, which staff described as the product of months of work with departments and agencies.
County staff said the proposed countywide budget is balanced at $231,528,674 and that the proposed school board budget totals $117,973,744, including $24,352,855 in loan payments. “The proposed fiscal year 2026 to 2027 budget reflects several months of work with departments, agencies, and the board to develop a plan that maintains core services,” a county staff member stated during the presentation.
Staff outlined the advertised maximum tax levies: a real-estate rate not to exceed $0.50 per $100 of assessed value and a personal property, machinery and tools rate not to exceed $1.64 per $100. Because this is a reassessment year, the board also scheduled a separate public hearing on the tax rate for Tuesday, April 28 at 6 p.m., and noted that if the board sets a rate higher than advertised it will be required to advertise and hold an additional hearing.
The chair opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. and reminded speakers that the period is for the board to listen, not to deliberate; each speaker was asked to state their name and district and to limit remarks to five minutes. Several residents and nonprofit representatives spoke during the allotted public-comment period about reassessments, homelessness services and capital needs for volunteer fire departments.
Earlier in the meeting the board read a bylaw allowing electronic participation and voted to permit Supervisor Travis Pruitt to participate remotely. The chair recorded the authorization as having the affirmative votes needed.
The public hearing was closed at 7:25 p.m.; board members said they will have further opportunities to discuss and take action on the budget and tax rate at upcoming meetings. The administration reminded the public that budget documents and line-item revenues and expenditures are available online through the county administration office.
The board adjourned after the hearing with a recorded unanimous vote.
