ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — A Dougherty County Commissioner is speaking out after the commission approved its $103.8 million fiscal year 2026-27 budget Monday, June 29, in a 5-2 vote.

The budget includes a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for county employees, a new $15-per-hour minimum wage, pay adjustments for law enforcement, and funding for essential county services.

Dissenting vote cites reserve fund reliance

However, District 4 Commissioner Russell Gray voted against the spending plan, arguing it relies too heavily on reserve funds. In a Facebook post following the vote, Gray said the budget uses about $6.8 million from the county’s reserves to balance expenses.

Gray warns that continued reliance on reserves could eventually force county leaders to either cut spending or increase taxes.

Finance chairman responds

Finance Committee Chairman Clinton Johnson defended the budget, saying budgeting reserve funds is standard practice and does not mean the county expects to spend the full amount.

Johnson says reserve funding is included as a safeguard for unexpected expenses and is considered a worst-case scenario.

“Yes, if we were not bringing in any revenue, there is a possibility that any fund or reserve would be depleted if you’re only pulling from that,” Johnson said. “But there’s also property taxes, revenues that are going to be replenishing our funds as the year goes on. And then we have FLOST that’s passed. So FLOST is also going to be another local option sales tax that’s also offered property tax relief. We are bringing our government within our means.”

Johnson says that, as Finance Committee chairman, he held multiple committee meetings and budget hearing meetings to address each commissioner’s concerns.

“I never heard a thing. I’ve had several finance committee meetings. I had several budget hearing meetings. There was never a statement that says, hey, I want to cut A, B, and C,” Johnson said. “Any time that a statement was made, our finance team went back to the drawing board, made those cuts, and represented another budget.”

The budget takes effect July 1. The county’s millage rate, which determines property taxes, will be set later this year.

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