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Cherokee County adopts $438.6 million FY2026 budget with 3% COLA; no tax‑rate increase
Summary
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 7 adopted a $438,576,565 fiscal year 2026 consolidated budget that includes a 3% employee cost‑of‑living adjustment, increased health‑insurance costs and no change to county tax rates for maintenance and operations or fire districts.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Oct. 7 to adopt the fiscal year 2026 consolidated budget totaling $438,576,565.
County staff summarized the major components: the consolidated budget is approximately 4.9% higher than FY2025 (about $20.3 million). Key drivers include a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees ($5.0 million), an estimated $5.3 million increase in health‑insurance costs, other benefit changes of roughly $2.1 million, operating cost increases near $4.2 million, and non‑departmental increases of $0.5 million. Capital funds rose by about $0.7 million; the county manager noted timing differences in capital projects.
The adopted budget also makes several interfund transfers, including a $700,000 transfer from the general fund to the EMS fund and $500,000 in transfers to other county funds. The Katz/CATS building project is funded largely by Federal Transit Administration grants; the local share was noted in a separate contract approval.
Chairman Harry Johnston summarized board sentiment about the size and prudence of the plan: "For all $438,000,000 seems like a lot of money. It is a lean budget," he said, noting that the plan did not add ongoing personnel beyond the current year and did not change tax rates. The board also approved a small salary‑incentive program for the sheriff's office intended to retain deputies.
Why it matters: The budget funds county operations and capital programs for the coming fiscal year and sets spending priorities while avoiding a tax‑rate increase. Implementation will begin immediately; departmental budgets and capital projects will proceed per the approved appropriations.
Ending: The county manager and finance staff will publish the adopted budget and update the county website and public records. Any capital projects and grants approved require additional administrative actions noted in meeting minutes.
