Habersham commissioners to hold second budget hearing June 29

CLARKESVILLE — Habersham County commissioners are set to take another step in the fiscal year 2027 budget process Monday evening as they hold a second public hearing on the proposed $43.99 million spending plan and consider a rollback of the county’s property tax rate.

The Habersham County Board of Commissioners will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, June 29, in the Jury Assembly Room of the Habersham County Courthouse, 295 Llewellyn St. The meeting will include a public hearing on the proposed 2026 millage rate and the county’s fiscal year 2027 budget. County officials have indicated a full rollback of the millage rate is anticipated.

The proposed budget, first presented during a public hearing on June 15, totals $43.99 million and reflects county leaders’ efforts to balance rising personnel and operational costs while maintaining services.

During the first hearing, commissioners reviewed budget priorities that included employee compensation, health insurance costs and long-term financial planning. The proposed budget comes as county officials continue evaluating the impact of property reassessments and the state’s floating homestead exemption law on local revenues.

Monday’s hearing will give residents another opportunity to comment before commissioners move toward final adoption of the budget ahead of the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.

County officials have encouraged residents to review the proposed budget before the hearing. Copies are available for public inspection during regular business hours in the Finance Department at the Habersham County Administrative Building, 130 Jacob’s Way in Clarkesville, and on the county’s website.