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Giles County adopts FY2025–26 budget, approves 32‑cent property tax increase to $2.3053
Summary
On July 29, 2025 the Giles County Legislative Body adopted its FY2025–26 budget, approved $495,000 in nonprofit appropriations, and set the county property tax rate at $2.3053 (a 32‑cent increase). The budget passed after the commission agreed to shift $1.9 million of recurring costs to reserves to lower the proposed tax impact.
Giles County Executive Graham Stowe announced that the county adopted its FY2025–26 budget and approved a property tax rate of $2.3053 — a 32‑cent increase — during the July 29 regular session at the Giles County Courthouse in Pulaski.
The commission approved Resolution 2025‑33 (the annual appropriation) after discussion about the county’s fiscal options. Stowe told commissioners the budget could not be amended at the meeting and said the commission’s prior work‑session agreed to move $1.9 million of recurring annual expenses out of the operating budget and fund them from reserves to lower the tax rate from the earlier proposal. Finance Director Beth Moore‑Sumners told the body that “Maintenance of Effort requirements exist for the Sheriff, Election Commission, School, Highway, Tax Assessor, County Executive, as well as the Libraries,” language she used to explain statutory constraints on reductions.
The commission also adopted Resolution 2025‑34 setting the county property tax levy at $2.3053 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. The tax resolution passed by roll call (Aye 13, No 6, Absent 1). The budget appropriation (Resolution 2025‑33) passed earlier by roll call (Aye 11, No 8, Absent 1). Separately, the commission approved Resolution 2025‑32, appropriating $495,000 to nonprofit charitable organizations for FY2025‑26; that measure passed by roll call (Aye 16, No 3, Absent 1). Commissioner Erin Curry noted the nonprofit appropriation’s passage was important so “their insurance could be paid” for Fire and Rescue services.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 2025‑32 (nonprofit appropriations) — approved (Aye 16, No 3); Resolution 2025‑33 (budget appropriation) — approved (Aye 11, No 8); Resolution 2025‑34 (tax levy) — approved (Aye 13, No 6).
The County Executive announced that the commission will select a replacement for the late Third District Commissioner Tim Risner at a special session on August 18, 2025. He also noted Budget and School committee meetings are scheduled for August 8.
What’s next: the newly adopted tax rate and budget will govern county appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. The commission did not amend the budget at the meeting; any further changes will follow the county’s statutory procedures.
