The DeKalb County Commission approved the 2027 budget and tax levy after a motion to delay the vote for further public review failed.
Commissioner Beth Pafford said she wanted to remove the first six items from the agenda to allow more time for the public and commissioners to review the completed budget documents. Pafford said the commission only received the final budget on Thursday and should postpone the vote until the next month to ensure transparency.
“I’ve been concerned with the way things have been handled leading up to the time to adopt the budget,” Pafford said. “Meetings were cancelled in May. There were seven budget meetings.”
County Mayor Matt Adcock said the county is in compliance with state law regarding public notice and budgeting procedures.
Adcock said the 1993 Local Option Budgeting Law, which the county operates under, does not require a specific public hearing unless the certified tax rate is exceeded.
“Notice was given, and that’s all that’s required, 10-day notice, and our notice was run in the paper on June 10th,” one county official said. “So we’re certainly in compliance. And the state has this recorded as the 93 act.”
Financial advisor Steve Bates said delaying the budget would prevent the county from issuing school bonds needed for ongoing construction projects. Bates said the school system has already spent over $1 million and requires the bond funding to stay on track with building schedules.
“We can’t issue any school bonds until the budget has passed and approved by the Comptroller’s office,” Bates said. “The rating call with the rating agency is June 30th. So if we don’t pass the budget tonight because, I think the Comptroller’s office has 30 days to approve it. So you’re just pushing off when the school can get their money.