Dawson County chair unveils proposed 2027 budget, seeks public comment

The chairman of the Dawson County Board of Commissioners presented the county27s proposed FY2027 budget during the Oct. 1 work session, saying the plan is a realistic, revenue-based budget that preserves the county millage at 5.463 and relies on $6,283,456 of fund balance (about 12.42% of the general fund).

"This proposed budget property tax provides 34.15% of revenue for the general fund," the chairman said, outlining revenue mixes that include property tax, local option sales tax and grant funding. He noted personnel costs have risen substantially in recent years, from $21,355,000 in 2020 to roughly $39,200,000 projected for 2027, driven by both pay changes and an increase in full-time equivalents.

The presentation laid out a proposed countywide budget of approximately $90,379,000 for 2027, down from the prior year in part because of project timing in SPLOST funds. The chair highlighted proposed capital requests totaling more than $2.2 million over a multi-year horizon, and said the board aims to fund many capital items from non-general-fund sources.

The chair also identified options the board may consider as budget additions, including merit and longevity pay (an estimated $1,000,000), an employee health clinic (estimated $461,000) and selective new positions; he recommended no new personnel in the baseline proposal and said any additions would come from fund balance.

The board was given a schedule for public engagement: two budget discussion opportunities on Oct. 15 (work session and voting session) and a final voting-session public comment opportunity on Nov. 5. "At the November 5 meeting, if the board so desires, they can adopt a 2027 budget," the chair said.

The chair closed by saying board members, department heads and finance staff would continue to refine the proposal over the coming weeks before a final decision.