The proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 will be presented and heard by the Habersham County Board of Commissioners at a special called meeting on Monday, June 23 at 6:00 p.m.
The projected budget is $80.2 million, which is $4.37 million less than the $84.57 million estimate for FY 2025.
The general fund is expected to grow by roughly $1.62 million, bringing its budget for the next year to $40.8 million, despite the overall decline. The biggest rises consist of:
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Sheriff’s Office: Health insurance, wage increases, and the addition of three workers resulted in a $711,274 rise to nearly $5.58 million.
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Jail Operations: $388,496 increase to cover health insurance and staff pay increases
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Public Defender’s Office: $117,334 more, mostly as a result of state wage changes
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E-911 Transfer: A $573,550 boost that balances out lower fee collections
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Notable rises of $97,450 and $97,083 were also observed in juvenile court and information technology, respectively.
Sheriff’s Office: Health insurance, wage increases, and the addition of three workers resulted in a $711,274 rise to nearly $5.58 million.
Jail Operations: $388,496 increase to cover health insurance and staff pay increases
Public Defender’s Office: $117,334 more, mostly as a result of state wage changes
E-911 Transfer: A $573,550 boost that balances out lower fee collections
Notable rises of $97,450 and $97,083 were also observed in juvenile court and information technology, respectively.
On the other hand, there will be large cuts in some departments:
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Airport Department: After a significant increase in budget in FY 2025, down $2.9 million
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Capital Improvement Fund: $570,815 less
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Development and Planning: Reduced by $173,287
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Gymnastics Program: Due to the program’s privatization, the whole $470,350 funding was eliminated.
Airport Department: After a significant increase in budget in FY 2025, down $2.9 million
Capital Improvement Fund: $570,815 less
Development and Planning: Reduced by $173,287
Gymnastics Program: Due to the program’s privatization, the whole $470,350 funding was eliminated.
Base pay and benefit increases of more than $1.9 million are included in the budget; $600,000 goes toward health insurance, and more than $500,000 goes toward retirement contributions.
Homestead exemptions
Tim Sims, the county manager, urged the people of Habersham to realize that the value of their properties’ tax assessments is being increased, not the taxes they must pay. Residents who applied for homestead exemptions, he noted, have the advantage of having their property taxes frozen.
According to Sims, a resident’s exemption increases to reflect each increase in their tax assessment based on market value.
According to Sims, the homestead exemption applies to around 80% of the county’s residential properties. Rental properties or second residences make up the remaining 20%.
The final budget adoption and second public hearing are set for Monday, June 30 at 6:00 p.m. The Habersham County Courthouse’s Jury Assembly Room, located at 295 Llewellyn Street in Clarkesville, will host both sessions.
The public is invited to attend the hearings and examine the proposed budget, which is accessible online at www.habershamga.com and at the Habersham County Administrative Building.
