MONTGOMERY – The Montgomery County Commission is considering a $156 million budget for the next fiscal year.
Finance Director Wanda Jackson presented the operating budget and a construction budget, both of which will take effect Oct. 1, at the commission’s Sept. 2 meeting.
The total operating budget is approximately $156 million, an increase of $7 million from last year. About $111.5 million of the budget is the county’s general fund.
Jackson said the general fund is a balanced budget with revenues and expenses of an estimated $111 million compared to $108 million last year.
As for the total budget, a little over a third of the budget ($53 million) will be spent on general government, and 38% ($60 million) will be spent on public safety. Highways and roads account for 13% of the budget, and 10% will be spent to cover the county’s long-term debt.
The budget calls for $153 million in revenue. County sales tax accounts for 44% of the county’s income, ad valorum tax generates 19% and charges for services for 14%. The state provides 10% of the budget.
Fund balances of approximately $3 million are budgeted to cover the difference in 2026 and those are essentially the special revenue funds for road and bridge capital projects, Jackson said
“The increase in the general fund reflects continued growth primarily in sales and ad valorum tax revenue,” she said. “Expenditure increases were primarily a result of increases in health insurance, the RSA retirement rates, merit increases for employees and overall operational increases due to inflation.”
A copy of the operating budget can be found here.
Jackson also presented the fiscal year 2026 construction budget, which is estimated to be $810,000. The budget covers maintenance and improvements to Montgomery County facilities. Its primary funding source is the fund balance, she pointed out.
A copy of the construction budget can be found here.
In other business, the commission heard an update about the reconstruction of the Flatwood Community Center.
The center was heavily damaged during a November 2022 tornado. Reconstruction began in 2023.
Director James Williams said that the center was their “main focus.” He said a new playground was installed at the site last week, and a slab was poured for a 16-by-24-foot pavilion. Grading, trail repairs and fencing are next on the list.
The Montgomery County Commission meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 101 South Lawrence Street. Information sessions begin at 10 a.m. followed by the formal meeting.
Livestreamed meetings can be seen on the commission’s YouTube and Facebook pages.
Agendas with additional details can be found at the commission’s documents section of the website.
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