Limestone County Board reviews $179.8 million proposed budget, schedules final vote next week

LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. — Finance staff for the Limestone County Board of Education on Tuesday presented a proposed FY2026 budget that projects $179,754,895 in total revenue and would allocate $158,364,895 to the general fund, with the board scheduled to consider final adoption at its next meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m.

The presentation laid out large increases from state sources tied to the RAISE Act and higher foundation allocations. "The board has committed to maintain three months fund balance, which we have attained and will maintain with the proposed budget," the district finance presenter said during the review.

The nut of the plan is a state-driven increase in formula and supplemental funding. The district lists state revenue at $131,220,370, local revenue at $44,200,000 and federal revenue initially at $4,100,000; presenters said some federal allocations and other state grants, including an "advancement of technology" allocation estimated at about $17 million, were included as anticipated revenue but remain subject to state confirmation and timing.

Staff identified several programmatic and capital items in the proposal: 11…