Dade County Commission Approves FY 2027 Budget; Uses Fund Balance to Close $300,000 Shortfall

TRENTON, Ga. — The Dade County Commission has approved the county’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget, clearing the way for the spending plan to take effect on July 1.

Commissioners spent approximately one hour discussing options to address an estimated $300,000 budget shortfall before unanimously approving the $16.55 million budget during a special called meeting Tuesday morning.

To help balance the budget, commissioners voted to use approximately $200,000 from the county’s fund balance, which currently totals at $5 million. The remaining shortfall is expected to be addressed through continued budget management with additional cuts possible.

The FY 2027 budget does not include pay raises for county employees. County leaders cited rising operating costs, particularly a significant increase in employee health insurance expenses, along with higher fuel and contracted service costs, as major factors impacting this year’s budget.

The approved budget takes effect Wednesday, July 1, marking the beginning of Dade County’s new fiscal year.

Watch the full Dade County Commission budget meeting below.