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Henry County Board adopts FY2026–27 budget, approves 2% one-time employee bonus and $1.1M school summer meals
Summary
The Henry County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the FY2026–27 appropriation May 26, approved a one-time 2% bonus for full-time county employees totaling $549,850, and authorized a $1.1M appropriation to the School Nutrition Budget for a Summer Food Service Program that will mail weekly meal kits to participating children.
The Henry County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the FY2026–27 Appropriation Resolution at its May 26 meeting, allowing county funds to be expended following the Board’s May 5 adoption of the total county and school budgets. Dale Wagoner, the County Administrator, presented the appropriation exhibits and asked the Board to adopt the resolution; Dr. Pam Cobler moved to adopt and the motion passed on a roll-call vote of all five supervisors.
The Board approved a one-time 2% bonus for all full-time county employees, with the Board appropriating $549,850 from county funds to cover the cost. Wagoner said the state budget amendment (HB29) provided a 2% one-time bonus for state-supported constitutional officers and recommended matching treatment for other eligible county employees to promote equity. Garrett Dillard initially proposed an alternate motion to set a $1,500 minimum per employee and appropriate $181,000 from reserves; that motion failed for lack of a second. Debra Buchanan then moved the 2% bonus appropriation (seconded by Chris Lawless), which passed unanimously.
The Board also approved an additional appropriation of $1,100,000 to the School Nutrition Budget to fund a Summer Food Service Program that will provide weekly meal kits mailed directly to participating children’s homes. Superintendent Dr. Amy Blake-Lewis told the Board the funds will be fully reimbursed by a federal program; Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ben Boone answered Board questions about how the program will operate and the source of funds enabling related categorical transfers.
As part of year-end funding adjustments, the Board approved categorical transfers requested by the School Board, including a $989,921 transfer from Instruction to Operations & Maintenance to repave the parking lot at Laurel Park Middle School and a $156,519 transfer from Instruction to Nutrition to fund bonuses for eligible School Nutrition staff. Dr. Boone said state funding and savings in the Instruction category made those transfers possible.
Separately, the Board approved transfers of $760,000 in FY2026 funds for capital items across county departments, including $120,000 for GIS and mapping updates, $20,000 for an IT server replacement, vehicle replacements, voting equipment cabinets, HVAC and roof work, and multiple asphalt repairs at county facilities.
The appropriation and transfers were presented as part of routine budget and year-end housekeeping; each motion recorded unanimous approval (AYES: Adams, Buchanan, Cobler, Dillard, Lawless). The Board recessed after the afternoon session and reconvened for the 6:00 p.m. public meetings.
