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Henry County Fiscal Court holds first reading of fiscal-year budget; health insurance up and E911 funding flagged
Summary
At a first reading of the fiscal-year 2027 budget, Henry County Fiscal Court members heard line-by-line appropriations, noted a roughly 16% rise in health insurance costs, reviewed road and jail fund allocations and flagged a looming shortfall in regional E911 funding.
Henry County Fiscal Court held the first reading of its fiscal-year budget and heard a detailed, line-by-line recitation of appropriations across general, road, jail and special funds.
Travis read the proposed appropriations and revenues and walked members through personnel, operating and capital items. The general fund summary included general government ($2,416,694), protection to persons and property, health and sanitation, recreation, capital projects and fringe benefits. In personnel lines, the judge executive salary and other elected-official pay were listed alongside fringe-benefit projections. Health insurance costs were reported as up about 16%, an increase the court estimated at about $70,000; the county is adding an HSA option that would include a $500 HSA contribution for single coverage and $1,000 for family coverage.
The court reviewed departmental appropriations for roads (including contracted highways and state road‑aid match), jail operations (including a jump in jail medical from $20,000 to $75,000 to cover one inmate receiving chemotherapy), and grants or special funds such as the opioid settlement (anticipated receipts of $250,000) and the Angel’s Envy sewer EDA/CDBG line (carryover and grant funds totaling $400,000).
Members flagged a growing concern about the regional E911 account, with court discussion noting that landline-derived revenues are declining and the regional fund may ‘‘dry up.’’ The court discussed options including funding a county share from the general fund or creating a bill surcharge; no final decision on a funding mechanism was taken at the first reading.
On department-operating items, the court reviewed road fund revenues and a cost-allocation worksheet assigning 26.02% of certain judge/court salary costs to the road fund. Budgeted liabilities were disclosed for transparency, including the sheriff’s building note (current principal reported at $105,000 and $12,889.50 due this fiscal year) and an AOC courthouse liability reported per audit requirements.
Routine procedural business was also completed: the court approved an annual standing order allowing payment of pre-approved recurring claims (utilities, payroll, insurance and similar items). Members approved a $2,000 training/incentive for the treasurer and finance office. During the discussion, members and staff signaled that further adjustments could be made before the next reading if new information emerges or if transfers between line items are needed.
The court did not adopt the budget at this meeting; this was the first reading required for public and departmental review and further changes are possible before the final adoption and submission to the Department for Local Government.
