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Spalding County unveils $78.77 million proposed FY2027 budget, recommends second consecutive millage rollback
Summary
County manager Dr. Ledbetter presented a proposed FY2027 general fund budget of $78,769,395 — a roughly $1.725 million increase and a proposed full millage rollback — and set public readings for June 1 and June 15, 2026. The proposal includes a 3% cost‑of‑living salary adjustment and several new and elevated positions.
Spalding County Manager Dr. Ledbetter presented the county’s draft fiscal year 2027 general fund budget at the May 18 meeting, reporting a derived fiscal budget of $78,769,395 and recommending a full millage rollback for the second consecutive year.
Ledbetter said the figure reflects about a $1.725 million increase from the previous fiscal year and a proposed 2.25% increase over the prior budget. “At the end of the week, we were able to derive a fiscal budget of $78,769,395,” he said.
The package Ledger outlined includes a 3% pay raise described in the presentation as a cost‑of‑living adjustment, funding for one economic development/community development position, a public‑works project manager, higher rates for part‑time library employees (moving from $12 to $15 per hour), a part‑time travel coordinator for the county bus and one additional code‑enforcement officer plus equipment.
Ledbetter said those changes grew out of a multi‑day, line‑by‑line review of 1,241 general‑fund line items and reflected priorities affirmed at the county’s January retreat: addressing jail needs; evaluating tax reductions; strengthening code enforcement; continuing resurfacing, trails and sidewalk work; improving animal control; managing waste and supporting homelessness reduction.
He cautioned the figures are draft pending a certified digest from the Georgia Department of Revenue and staff recommended the full rollback only after the digest is certified. The budget timeline calls for a first reading June 1 at 6 p.m. and a second reading June 15 at 6 p.m., with formal adoption expected after the second reading.
No members of the public signed up to speak on the budget during the hearing and the board voted 3‑0 to close that portion of the meeting. The board also voted 3‑0 on the motion to enter the public hearing earlier in the evening.
What happens next: the board will hold the two readings in June; staff emphasized the numbers are subject to change if the certified digest differs from draft estimates.
