Easley council adopts FY2025-26 budget, designates $399,855 in road-fee funds for Canaan Land/Olive Street roundabout

The City of Easley City Council adopted its fiscal 2025-26 annual operating budget and amended the measure to designate $399,855 from the city's road fee fund (fund 13) for the Canaan Land/Olive Street roundabout project, council members said during a June special called meeting.

Mayor Talbert opened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. and invited public comment during a second opportunity to speak on the budget. A public speaker raised concerns about the budget's roughly $10 million increase and asked whether the increase represented one-time spending or new recurring costs. The speaker asked, "Are we taking all the peanut butter from the jar so there'll be nothing left to add to the jelly sandwich next year?" and urged clearer disclosures on funding sources.

Why it matters: Council members and staff said much of the increase consists of nonrecurring items drawn from funds accumulated over several years, including a large hospitality fund balance, and therefore does not automatically represent a permanent tax increase or new recurring operating commitment.

City attorney Evan and finance staff explained the composition of the proposed increases in response to questions. Staff said about $5,000,000 would come from the hospitality fund; impact-fee allocations include $1,100,000 for…