Your money. Three stories. One opportunity to ask.

Appling County is proposing $26.95 million in General Fund spending for FY2027. Residents have an opportunity to ask what that money will pay for before commissioners consider adoption. Anyone wishing to speak about the proposed budget can attend and be heard at the October 1 hearing, at 5:30 p.m., in the Courthouse Annex, 169 Tippins Street. Budget and hearing sources

The proposal is 8.18% above the prior-year summary amount. A separate question concerns spending proposed again without change: C.L.O.C.K.’s selected twelve-item review covers about 9¢ of every proposed General Fund dollar and found limited or no substantive discussion specific to those appropriations in the records reviewed. That finding remains provisional; it does not measure waste or explain the 8.18% increase. Calculation and review limits

This guide follows three questions: what supports the County’s proposed amounts, what its contribution to DAAC purchases, and what its Seven Rivers payroll arrangement costs after reimbursement. Each story starts with a short explanation, then leads through the facts, missing answers and hearing questions. Choose a story below, or continue through this guide.