Effingham County board adopts FY26 general-fund budget; trustees plan separate millage decision

District leaders presented the proposed FY26 general-fund budget and the board approved it by voice vote after a short discussion. The district presentation described the budget as roughly $203 million, an increase of about $20 million from the prior year driven principally by salary and benefit costs, including teacher retirement and state health benefits.

"Our budget for this year for the general fund, we are proposing $203,031,797," the budget presenter said, clarifying the figure from earlier remarks; staff explained the primary drivers are salary and benefits and that approximately $88.8 million of the increase relates to benefit changes for retirement and state health coverage. The district emphasized it was asking the board to approve the budget document now while the millage rate would be set later after receiving the final digest and assessments from the tax assessor's office (Neil).

Board members pressed for clarity on enrollment and classified-staff costs. Staff noted the district lost approximately 100 students during the past school year and had modest June growth. Officials said classification and health-benefit costs for classified employees have risen significantly since 2011 and that some federal or state reimbursements do not cover classified staff benefits.

During discussion, staff reiterated that the board's vote at this meeting adopted the budget as required by state timelines and that setting a millage rate would follow once final tax-digest numbers are available. The motion to adopt the FY26 budget passed by voice vote; no opposed voices were recorded.