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Henry County adopts $294.2 million FY2027 budget using $8.8M in reserves
Summary
The Henry County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a $294.2 million FY2027 operating budget that maintains the millage rate at 15.733 mils and uses $8.8 million of fund balance after debate about revenue pressures and departmental spending.
The Henry County Board of Commissioners on a unanimous voice vote adopted the proposed FY2027 operating budget, which the county presented as a $294,200,000 plan that keeps the millage rate at 15.733 mils and uses $8,800,000 of fund balance to balance the year. Budget Director Benita Campbell told the board the proposed general fund and special service district budget reflects a conservative approach to rising costs and uncertain state and federal aid.
"The proposed FY27 general fund and special service district budget is $294,200,000," Campbell said during the presentation, adding that projected revenues are $285,400,000 and the budget assumes use of fund balance to cover the gap. The proposal funds additional public safety positions, $2.8 million for E-911, and $4.5 million to cover year-over-year health insurance cost increases for county employees.
Commissioners debated tradeoffs before the vote. Commissioner Einhorn (District 3) warned the board that continuing to rely on reserves risks future budgets and listed seven pressures — including a 3% decline in 2025 sales tax collections and reductions in federal grant funding — that could worsen FY2028 and FY2029 prospects. Einhorn said he would introduce an amendment to require any reallocation of funds over $10,000 to receive majority board approval.
Other commissioners defended some training and travel expenditures as investments in bringing federal and other external funding to the county. Commissioner Lewis pointed to overtime as a structural cost driver — citing a typical overtime budget of about $5.1 million versus current overtime costs of about $11.2 million — and urged department-level reviews.
After discussion and clarification from staff about how contingency and intra-department transfers work, Commissioner Roberts moved to approve the budget and the chair seconded; the chair called the vote and stated, "Motion carries." The county manager and finance staff said they will monitor revenues and reported fund-balance projections, which showed an estimated FY26 ending fund balance of approximately $116,000,000 with a required 30% set-aside.
