The Bulloch County Board of Commissioners will hold a specially called meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 30, to serve as the public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2024-2025 budget, possibly followed by discussion among the commissioners.

The proposed general fund budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 shows a little over $64.7 million in projected spending and $62.7 million in projected revenue. So, balancing this budget will involve dipping into the accumulated fund balance, but the county manager still plans to recommend a rollback in the millage rate sufficient to offset inflation in the tax digest and avoid any increase in property tax, according to the budget summary.

But with real growth in the digest from construction, other revenues and spending from the balance, this budget is expected to fund 22 full-time and one part-time added employee positions, 16 of which are in public safety departments, namely the Sheriff’s Office, jail and Emergency Medical Service. A 3% across-the-board raise for county employees is proposed, along with a merit-pay opportunity for up to 2% additional based on job performance.

Another 12 positions, for firefighters, and their equipment would be funded in the separate rural fire fund budget, which has its own millage rate.

As usual, the commissioners will meet in the community room at the County Administrative Annex, 115 North Main St.

The commissioners are expected to adopt the budget in June but usually do not set the millage rate until August or September.