Newton County presents roughly $180 million FY27 budget as commissioners press sheriff spending and unfilled positions

At a special-called meeting, Newton County Finance Director Britney White presented the proposed FY27 all‑funds budget, totaling about $180 million and led by a $113,814,967 general fund plan, a 4.8% increase from last year.

White, the county's finance director, said personnel costs drive most of the increase, including a 27% rise in health insurance that she quantified as about $2.9 million. She said government funds total about $127 million, enterprise funds about $51 million and internal service funds about $640,000. Public safety is the single largest general‑fund expenditure. White also said the proposed millage rate is estimated at 8.567, unchanged from the prior year, and that the budget adoption is scheduled at the board’s regular meeting next week with the millage process expected to begin around July 28.

The public comment period brought concerns about taxes and public safety. John Dobbs, a Dry Pond Road resident, warned that higher millage would force seniors from their homes and urged coordination with school police to free deputies for road patrol, saying, "You're going to have to man the schools. That'll give him at least six officers to be on the road." Long‑time resident Larry McSwain thanked the board for holding millage down but pressed for scrutiny of the sheriff’s and jail budgets; he said public safety accounts for roughly one‑third of county spending and asserted the sheriff overspent last year by $2.6 million and is overspending the current year by $2.5 million, pointing to overtime and a $10,000 monthly rent payment for a precinct as examples of discretionary costs to review.

Commissioners discussed several possible responses. Commissioner Edwards confirmed the digest increase is roughly 4% and suggested removing funded positions that remain unfilled as a way to reduce costs. Commissioner Long urged a line‑by‑line review of positions and spending—particularly large overtime budgets—and said the board should pause adding new hires until evaluations are complete. Commissioner Henderson emphasized funding public safety amid rising crime concerns while also expressing worry about the tax burden on seniors and suggesting the county reexamine tax abatements and revenue streams from recent economic development projects.

A point of clarification focused on mid‑year funded positions. Commissioners said some positions funded earlier in the fiscal year were not filled; several salary lines—including transfers to support additional jailer positions—were discussed. Commissioners agreed to exchange the list of unfilled positions by email so the county manager can determine which, if any, should be cut before adoption.

There were no formal budget votes at the meeting; the board moved to adjourn after the discussion. The budget adoption vote is scheduled for the board’s next regular meeting. If approved, the millage‑rate process would follow as stated by the finance director.

Numbers and fiscal details cited in this report are drawn from the finance director’s presentation: total proposed all‑funds budget about $180 million; proposed general fund $113,814,967 (4.8% increase); health insurance increase 27% (~$2.9 million); estimated millage 8.567; projected additional collections including $1.5 million in loss‑collection trends, $1.3 million from an Amazon pilot payment and $700,000 budgeted for insurance premium taxes.