Finance committee forwards FY25 amendment and FY26 budget ordinance to full council; no millage increase proposed

The Mauldin Finance Committee voted to forward to full City Council a fiscal-year 2025 budget amendment ordinance on first reading and to recommend approval of the proposed FY2026 budget ordinance.

At the committee meeting, City Administrator Seth Duncan and budget staff reviewed the two measures. The FY2025 amendment consolidates previously approved items and one-time adjustments; staff said the $7.3 million total shown in the packet is largely offset by revenues and that net appropriations increase is much smaller. The amendment includes state grant dollars for several projects, storm-related reimbursements and property acquisitions.

Duncan described the FY2026 budget as a $43,128,100 plan for revenues and expenditures that is roughly 9% larger than the FY2025 original budget. He said the draft budget reflects revenue growth tied to tourism and economic development activity and increased revenue collection, funds strategic investments including added personnel and capital items, and proposes no tax millage increase and no changes to business license rates. Duncan noted a small sewer fee increase of $0.25 to offset a Greenville Water billing increase and said the administration built the budget to avoid spending projected new revenue early in the fiscal year.

The committee voted to forward the FY2025 amendment on first reading to full council (motion and second; voice vote in committee recorded as favorable). The committee then voted unanimously to forward the FY2026 budget ordinance to full council with a recommendation of approval; the committee chair and members commended staff for their work on the budget process.

Duncan also told committee members that FEMA reimbursements for storm-related expenses are in process: staff has submitted category B (immediate response) reimbursement of just under $53,000 and is preparing a category A submission for debris pickup totaling just under $1,050,000; he said the city hopes to receive those FEMA funds by the end of the year.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to forward the FY2025 budget amendment ordinance on first reading to full council (moved, seconded). Outcome: forwarded by committee on voice vote. - Motion to forward the FY2026 budget ordinance to full council with recommendation of approval (moved by Councilmember Matney; seconded). Outcome: forwarded unanimously by committee.

The ordinances will have public hearings at the citys May 19 meeting before final consideration by the full City Council.