In a packed Court room, the Henry County Board of Supervisors opened a public hearing Thursday April 10th to present and discuss the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026. The hearing gave community members and elected officials a chance to review financial projections, ask questions, and offer feedback before the board moves forward with budget approval.
The presentation included an overview of current revenues, expenditures, fund balances, and proposed salary adjustments. Copies of the budget were available to attendees and posted online. The topic of supervisor compensation drew questions from the public. One resident asked how the $45,000 annual salary aligns with the workload for a position that holds one official meeting per week. Supervisor Steve Detrick responded that while legally defined as part-time, the job often requires 40 to 45 hours weekly, including subcommittee work, constituent conversations, and off-hours preparation.
A more contentious exchange emerged during discussion of the County Attorney’s Office budget. Concerns were centered on an apparent increase in salary expenditure despite a reduction in staff. Supervisor Detrick suggests, “You’re losing a person yet increasing the budget allocation by 1%.”
County Attorney Darin Stater defended the request, explaining that the increase was due to a phased retirement and the decision not to replace the outgoing office manager. Instead, her duties will be absorbed by current staff, which he feels are owed compensation adjustments.
Stater continued “If we delay this restructuring until January, my staff will effectively be doing extra work for free for six months.
The hearing also touched on broader frustrations. One member of the public referenced a perceived increase in dismissed or reduced criminal charges, questioning the quality and consistency of prosecution—an implication Stater strongly rejected.
Despite the tense discussion, the budget was ultimately approved by the board, along with wage increases of 5% for all county employees, department heads, and elected officials—except the Sheriff, who will receive a 10% raise.
The fiscal year 2025–26 budget goes into effect on July 1.