Barrow County schools outline FY2027 budget timeline as insurance and pension costs rise

District finance staff updated the board Feb. 3 on the fiscal year 2027 budget and millage schedule and presented current fund balances and revenue/expenditure figures.

An unnamed finance presenter said the district will create a budget video in March, schools will present school-level budgets in April, the tentative FY2027 budget will be presented to the board April 28, and the board will vote on the tentative budget May 5. The presenter said the district anticipates requesting final approval of the millage rate on June 23 and, if all goes as planned, a final millage-rate approval on July 7.

On state-level impacts, the presenter noted the governor's proposed budget (released Jan. 15) includes a one-time $2,000 pay supplement for teachers and support staff as an FY2026 amendment; for FY2027 the presenter said there is a 1.8% increase in TRS pension rates and that state health insurance costs are projected to rise by about 7%, approximately $1,716 per employee, bringing the total estimated state health insurance cost per employee to $24,336 (as presented).

The presenter also reported a December SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) receipt of $2,104,279 and provided general fund figures as of Jan. 31: unassigned fund balance $83,700,000; total fund balance $112,600,000; year-to-date total revenues $148,700,000 and expenditures $125,800,000. Monthly revenues for January were reported as $14,000,000 with January expenditures of $16,800,000.

The presenter described the district's transparency process for budget development and reiterated that final figures are contingent on state and county revenue projections. The board scheduled a retreat Feb. 19 to refine priorities ahead of the tentative budget presentation.