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Beaufort County council amends budget allocations; keeps overall millage strategy intact
Summary
On May 27 Beaufort County Council continued first‑reading action on the FY2025–26 budget, approved a set of targeted amendments reallocating roughly $18,000 across outside agency grants and keeping the county’s proposals millage‑neutral in key respects.
Beaufort County Council proceeded on budget matters at its May 27 meeting, advancing the fiscal year 2025–26 ordinance through first reading while approving a series of amendments that reallocated small outside agency awards and preserved the county’s balanced budget approach.
Council members discussed multiple line‑item changes during a lengthy finance review. Councilman Glover moved an amendment reallocating $173,694 to Island Recreation (reduced from a requested increase), shifting other small amounts to fund Salt and Water Conservation and to increase the county contribution to the Department of Mental Health; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call after debate.
County staff and council emphasized that the overall county budget must remain balanced and that any increases for outside agencies require equal reductions elsewhere. Administrative staff noted the budget remains subject to third reading and additional technical adjustments ahead of final passage.
Context and key items
- County staff said the general fund and CIP documents were available in backup materials and that the budget is being held to millage considerations to avoid unexpected taxpayer increases. - Several outside agencies requested increases; council approved selective adjustments while seeking to avoid raising the county millage. - A specific amendment reduced Beaufort County Beautiful’s allocation back to $50,000 (the same as the prior year) and redirected roughly $17,000 of unspent funds to an IT personnel budget line that administration said required a permanent increase.
Quotes and exchanges
Councilor Tabernick stressed the council’s intent to keep the tax rate stable, saying that the county was “trying to keep our budget at the same millage as last year.” County staff also reminded the public that federal and state shortfalls shift pressure to local budgets.
Procedure and next steps
The budget ordinance (including the county’s CIP amendments and ATAX appropriations) completed the meeting’s first‑reading actions and was scheduled for the remaining readings and a public hearing per the council’s standard timetable. Council members noted the budget would be revisited ahead of final adoption to address any outstanding agency requests and technical adjustments.
Ending
Council emphasized a preference for measured, targeted funding changes rather than across‑the‑board increases for outside agencies while seeking to preserve tax neutrality for residents as much as possible.
