Spalding County adopts $78.8 million FY2027 budget, approves sidewalk projects and referendum steps

The Spalding County Board of Commissioners on June 1 adopted the county’s FY2027 general fund budget of about $78.77 million, approved several infrastructure bids and legal easements for sidewalk construction, and voted to request that the county’s legislative delegation allow a local homestead option sales tax (LHOST) to appear on the November 2026 ballot.

County Manager Dr. Le Better presented the budget during the meeting’s second reading, saying the proposal represents a 2.24% increase over FY26 and prioritizes public safety, infrastructure and community services while including a 3% cost-of-living increase for county employees. Dr. Le Better said the package funds new positions including an economic development role, a public works project manager and a code enforcement officer, and raises part-time library wages to $15 per hour.

The budget passed after a motion and second; commissioners recorded the final vote as in favor and the chair declared the budget adopted. The deputy county manager’s financial update earlier in the meeting showed the county holding roughly 88–90 days of reserves and noted reimbursements tied to an airport acquisition and other capital timing items that are expected in June.

In related actions the board approved motions or votes on the following items during the meeting: approved May 31 financial statements; adopted a FY27 public defender contract for felony superior court; approved condemnation resolutions to secure easement rights for sidewalks on North Hill Street and Spalding Street; and accepted bids under the county’s 2022 T-SPLAST sidewalk improvement program for North Hill Street and Spalding Street. Several routine administrative motions also carried, including declaring certain equipment surplus and naming Chairman Davis as the National Association of Counties reporting voting delegate.

The board also voted to request the local legislative delegation authorize placing LHOST on the November 2026 referendum, specifying a 10-year duration in the request. According to staff’s presentation, LHOST is structured to target homesteaded property owners countywide; staff estimated the county would receive approximately 93.5% of revenues generated under the proposal and the city of Griffin approximately 6.5%.

Votes at a glance: approved FY2027 budget (approx. $78.77M); approved May 31 financials; approved FY27 public defender contract; approved condemnation resolutions for sidewalk easements; approved North Hill and Spalding Street sidewalk bids; amended agenda to add SPLAST items and later approved a SPLAST-related resolution and IGA (one recorded dissent on the SPLAST motion); declared surplus equipment; appointed Chairman Davis as NACo delegate. Specific tallies where recorded in the meeting transcript are noted in county minutes.

The budget adoption is effective for FY2027 as presented; next steps include administrative implementation of the funded positions and planning for projects included in the T-SPLAST and SPLAST/IGA agreements. The board also asked staff to continue outreach about the upcoming local tax measures so residents have information before the November vote.