Hampton County Council on Monday approved the second reading of an ordinance amending the fiscal year 2026 budget to reflect first-quarter changes, including intra-department reallocations and a transfer to cover a $115,700 shortfall at the county detention center.

The amendments follow the county's first quarterly budget review, presented by Miss Lewis, finance director, who said the revised budget remains balanced overall and that most changes were made by realigning line items within departments rather than increasing total appropriations. "This is the first quarterly budget review," Miss Lewis said.

The changes include enhanced revenue collections attributed to the county treasurer, adjustments to local option sales tax receipts, an increase in building permit fees and the decision not to fill a deed-clerk position this fiscal year, which reduced the clerk of court's requested state salary supplement. Miss Lewis told council the county reduced an apparent general fund deficit cited in the FY2024 audit from about $2,400,000 to roughly $700,000 through tighter controls and more timely accounting.

Council discussion focused on the process for the reallocations and oversight. Miss Lewis said most line-item moves occurred within departmental budgets; "we reallocated within the budget that council approved on June 16," she said. She described steps taken since a new treasurer was installed in July, including weekly reconciliations, timelier posting of revenues and strengthened internal controls.

Specific adjustments cited in the presentation included: increases in local option sales tax and related revenue (combined increases described in the presentation as roughly $1,040,300 across related lines), a $311,004.99 increase in building-permit fee revenue, and a $4,599,007.01 change referenced as fee-in-lieu-of-tax revenue related to enhanced collections.

On the expenditure side, departments reviewed draft changes with the finance team; the council was asked to approve transfers that crossed departmental or countywide funds. Notably, the council was asked to move $115,700 from Countywide contingency to detention-center operations to cover officer salary adjustments, medical services and meal contract increases after a prior contract was canceled. Miss Lewis said departments were prioritized for spending based on cash flow and essential services, and that bills are being prioritized as the county works to catch up.

During the public-comment period, resident Miss Kelly criticized the county's financial management and warned about potential cuts to services, including emergency medical services, if fiscal problems persist. "There are rules and regulations or laws that protect us and also protect our finances. And those have been disregarded," Miss Kelly said.

After discussion, a council member moved to approve the second reading of the ordinance amending the FY2026 budget; the motion was seconded and approved by voice/hand vote.

The ordinance retains the overall budget total passed June 16 while adjusting revenue and expenditure line items. Council members did not record a roll-call vote in the transcript.

Looking ahead, Miss Lewis said the county will continue to refine internal controls and the year-end reconciliation process to improve accuracy and timely reporting.

Ending: The approved second reading sends the budget amendment forward; the transcript records the council's approval by voice/hand vote but does not include a roll-call tally in the record.