Tift County commissioners adopt FY27 budget, approve LHOST referral and raise landfill tipping fees

The Tift County Board of Commissioners voted June 8 to seek legislative approval for a Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) referendum, adopt the county—s FY27 budget and raise landfill tipping fees amid a slate of contract approvals and appointments.

County Manager Jim Carter said the LHOST resolution (Res. 2026-17) asks the county—s legislative delegation to introduce enabling legislation during an upcoming special session so that the question could appear on the November general-election ballot if the legislature approves it. The board approved that resolution unanimously, 6-0.

Carter told commissioners that the proposed FY27 budget was adjusted to reflect recent grant awards for DUI Court and Adult Felony Drug Court. He said the county will keep the swimming-pool open-swim fee at $2 per person for FY27 but asked the board to consider raising it in a future cycle. Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2026-14, adopting the FY27 budget and schedule of fees, 6-0.

On solid-waste policy, the board approved two separate tipping-fee increases. Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2026-15 to raise the inert-landfill tipping fee from $18 per ton to $28 per ton on a 5-1 vote, with Commissioner Paul Webb the sole dissent. The board approved Resolution No. 2026-16 to raise the municipal-solid-waste tipping fee from $42 per ton to $47 per ton, also 5-1 with Webb dissenting. County Manager Carter framed the increases as adjustments to reflect current operating costs.

The board also approved a five-year renewal with Golden Environmental for trash collection, which raises the per-can fee from $17.90 to $19.90 and increases the Pecan Street collection-site operating cost from $80,000 to $84,000 annually. Several procurement items were approved on the consent agenda, including purchase of three sheriff—s vehicles on state contract, park parking-lot contracts for EB Hamilton Sports Complex and renewal of the county—s property and liability insurance with ACCG.

A contested rezoning petition (Resolution No. 2026-13) to change 4.49 acres at 82 Briarwood Court from RR-1 (Rural Single-Family Residential) to AG (Agriculture) drew several nearby residents who spoke in opposition. After the public hearing, the board approved the rezoning 4-2; Commissioners Donnie Hester and Melissa Hughes voted against the motion.

Appointments approved included the reappointment of Dickie Robinson to the Tift County Athletic Advisory Committee, the appointment of Emily Quinn to the Athletic Advisory Committee and the reappointment of Rodney Griffin to the Family & Children Services Board; all appointment motions carried 6-0.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 2026-17 (LHOST) —s approved 6-0; Resolution 2026-14 (FY27 budget and fees) approved 6-0; Resolution 2026-15 (inert landfill tipping fee increase to $28/ton) approved 5-1 (Webb opposed); Resolution 2026-16 (municipal solid waste tipping fee increase to $47/ton) approved 5-1 (Webb opposed); Resolution 2026-13 (rezoning of 82 Briarwood Court) approved 4-2 (Hester, Hughes opposed). Several consent-agenda contracts and purchases were approved unanimously.

The meeting concluded with county-manager remarks about a well-attended GRPA tournament at EB Hamilton Sports Complex and brief commissioner comments. The board adjourned after a motion by Commissioner Greg Wood and second by Commissioner Melissa Hughes.

Next steps: If the state legislature introduces and passes the requested LHOST enabling legislation, the county would place the measure on the November general-election ballot for voter approval.