09/30/2026
Mayor’s Report
Since taking office, this administration has focused on accountability, efficiency, transparency, security, economic development, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. In a short period of time, we have already made meaningful changes in how Henry County government operates.
Through increased oversight, careful review of contracts and change orders, and improvements to existing practices, we have directly saved Henry County taxpayers approximately $216,000. Just as importantly, we are putting stronger practices and controls in place to prevent unnecessary spending going forward.
We have overhauled courthouse security, strengthening the protection of our employees, elected officials, citizens, and county facilities. We have also undertaken a major review and overhaul of the county’s cybersecurity and digital footprint to better protect county information, communications, and systems.
Henry County has been awarded multiple grants totaling more than $2 million. These funds allow us to make needed investments in our county while reducing the burden those improvements would otherwise place on local taxpayers.
We have restructured the Henry County Tourism Authority and several other boards and committees including the County Commission. This is to improve accountability, organization, and effectiveness. We are also reviewing operations throughout county government, including our airport, recycling, central school, purchasing, payments, accounting, and administrative practices. As part of that effort, I have worked closely with our elected officials and department heads, while remaining responsive to their needs, and continued working toward more streamlined accounting and financial practices across county government.
Economic development remains a major priority. We are continuing to move the Industrial Park forward and are currently working through an in depth study to better understand what improvements are necessary to prepare the property for future development and investment.
We are also strengthening Henry County’s relationships beyond our county lines. I have met with state officials, spoken with our congressional representation, and continued building stronger relationships with both state and federal government. These relationships are important as we pursue funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development opportunities, and other resources for Henry County.
We have also worked to make county government more accessible and responsive to the people we serve. The Henry County Public Forum provides citizens another opportunity to bring questions, concerns, and ideas directly to county leadership.
Before taking office, I made eight commitments to the people of Henry County. With the publication of this Mayor’s Report, all eight of those commitments have now been fulfilled. Those commitments were never intended to be the finish line. They were the starting point for how this administration would approach county government.
I also want to thank the citizens of Henry County for being engaged, involved, and willing to participate in their local government. I believe good local government should be citizen driven and citizen led. We are here to listen, to be accountable, and to serve. This government belongs to the citizens of Henry County and exists to serve them, not the other way around.
There is still much more work ahead. We will continue examining how county government operates, questioning unnecessary expenses, modernizing outdated practices, pursuing outside funding opportunities, strengthening relationships at every level of government, and moving important projects forward.
Our goal will remain the same, protect taxpayer dollars, strengthen county government, encourage economic growth, improve the way we operate, and make Henry County government work better for the people we serve. It has been my greatest honor to serve the citizens of Henry County this last month and still believe our best days are ahead.
God bless you, and God bless Henry County.
-Mayor Jonathan Lodge
