In re the FY 2026 Newton Co GA budget:
Overall proposed budget of $112.8 million (13.4% increase over previous year)
- 20.74% increase for Fleet Maintenance (overall budget: $2.15 million)
- 13.29% increase for Tax Commissioner’s office
- 12.02% increase for Facilities Management
- 10.8% increase for Jail Operations (overall budget: $17.25 million)
- 17.53% increase for Cornish Creek
- 16.92% increase for Sheriff’s office (total proposed budget: $21.5 million)
- 9.31 % increase for DA
- 8.81% increase for Fire Services (overall budget: $15.05 million).
There are several other department, most all of which are also seeing increases.
To be fair, we did see a handful of decreases. The Clerk of Superior Court & the Landfill have proposed budgets lower than last year. So, good on them, for sure. Though, regarding the Clerk's office, that's only because Linda Hays is no longer in that position. W/ her 40+ yr tenure, she was making way more than Finney currently is.
The BOC did as well but not really. They’ve separated out the County Manager’s office as its own line item. Factoring for that, the BOC’s budget will actually be increasing.
By the way, the County Manager proposed budget is approx $525K. That's for the salary of the manager, his assistant & the county PR guy, as well as their benefits, and other expenses (sounds a little high)
The biggest thing, for me, are the crazy increases in retirement benefits across the board. Most departments I've looked at are increasing that line item by from anywhere from 10-30%.
Insane.
Remember, all of this is “proposed.” But it’s crunch time now. Let your BOC representation hear about it.
Any good news?
Yes, actually.
LeAnn Long & Stan Edwards, BOC Reps 5 & 1, respectively, have stated that major cuts have already been made & that there is a consensus on the Board to get those done. The numbers will change & get better (thank God for small favors, eh?); however, I'm still expecting a net increase on property taxes.
We'll know a lot more after Tuesday evening when they have the next budget meeting.
DEVELOPING...
#staytuned
- MBM
