Treasurer reports rising receipts, presents FY27 draft budget; board accepts SFCC assistance

The Muhlenberg County treasurer presented district financials and a fiscal year 2027 draft budget framework, reporting December monthly receipts and outlining key revenue and expenditure assumptions.

"Beginning with revenues, the total monthly receipts was $9,020,839.90," the treasurer said during the report, noting that last December included roughly $4 million in bonding funds that affected year‑over‑year comparisons. The treasurer also reported quarterly investment income of $154,209 and monthly expenditures of about $1,730,000; payroll was reported at roughly $3,150,000.

On the draft FY27 budget, the presentation modeled a beginning balance of $25,000,000 and estimated total general fund revenues (including that beginning balance) at about $79,000,000. Major lines discussed included instruction (~$32.5 million), salaries (~$28.4 million), student transportation ($4.6 million) and contingency. The treasurer said some figures remain to be finalized in the tentative budget.

The board also considered and accepted an SFCC (School Facilities Construction Commission) offer of assistance of $24,340 described in the meeting as funds to make a bond payment and recommended for use on the auxiliary gym project. The treasurer characterized the assistance as "basically free money from the state," a comment other speakers immediately clarified: "It's not free to everybody," another participant said.

Why it matters: the draft budget sets the framework for upcoming budget deliberations and the SFCC assistance reduces a near-term bond payment obligation. The board approved a motion to consider the draft budget as presented; the tentative budget process will follow and include more complete fund breakdowns.

No formal vote adopted a final FY27 budget at the meeting; the board voted to move forward with the draft for further consideration.