Dade County School Board Approves FY 2026-27 Budget; Millage Rate Increase Expected

TRENTON, Ga. — The Dade County Board of Education has approved its budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, but school officials say the spending plan includes a deficit that will require additional local revenue.

Superintendent Josh Ingle told K-win Radio  that a millage rate increase will be necessary to help balance the budget and maintain school operations for the upcoming school year.

The exact amount of the proposed property tax increase has not yet been determined. Ingle said the school system must first wait for the Dade County Tax Assessor’s Office to complete and certify the county’s tax digest before officials can calculate the millage rate needed to generate the required revenue.

According to Ingle, the largest factor driving the budget deficit is a significant increase in employee health insurance costs.

School officials estimate insurance expenses will rise by approximately $2 million during the upcoming fiscal year, creating substantial financial pressure on the district’s budget.

Ingle noted that escalating employee insurance costs are affecting school systems across Georgia and have become one of the most significant budget challenges facing local districts.

Despite the projected deficit, the Board of Education approved the budget with the understanding that final revenue estimates and the proposed millage rate will be finalized once the county’s tax digest is completed.

School officials expect to present additional details regarding the proposed millage rate increase later this summer after receiving the finalized property tax digest from the Dade County Tax Assessor’s Office.

Watch the interview below