Stormwater board recommends FY2027 budget that draws on reserves and commissions six‑month fee study

Beaufort County’s Stormwater Utility Advisory Board voted unanimously Feb. 11 to recommend the proposed FY2027 stormwater budget after staff described plans to use reserve funds to advance capital work and to complete a fee-structure study.

The board heard staff say the fund balance stands near $21,000,000 and that management advised maintaining one to two years of operating reserves. “We are at 21,000,000 right now,” the stormwater manager said while outlining projected draws and anticipated reinvestments. Staff said they plan to use roughly $4 million per year of reserves over the next two years while pursuing a restructuring that could shift charges and service levels.

Taylor Brewer, stormwater manager, told members the county has adjusted its approach to the Wilbur/Wolpert fee study so it will analyze both fee structure and service-level needs. “We are looking at six months to have the fee study completed and have some good recommendations for the board as far as a new structure,” Brewer said. The study will offer options such as shifting a greater share to commercial customers or increasing rates to expand staff and equipment.

Brewer also described specific FY27 budget edits: moving Royal Pines drainage improvements to FY28, reallocating $85,000 and $100,000 easement line items into infrastructure, and placing a drainage study under professional services. Staff set aside $1,500,000 in a land-acquisition line to seed a potential buyout program; that figure was based on a county median house price staff estimated at just over $400,000 and an assumed initial round of roughly three buyouts.

Board members pressed staff on sustainability. One member summarized the board’s understanding that using reserves at the scale proposed is not sustainable beyond two years without revenue changes; staff confirmed the point and said the fee study’s options would be designed to rebuild reserves over time. After discussion on equipment, staffing and legal-fees contingencies, the board moved to recommend the budget and approved the motion unanimously.

The vote was procedural: the board recommended the budget to county council; final appropriation and any fee changes require council action and subsequent implementation steps. The board asked staff to return with clearer timelines and expanded line-item detail to help liaisons report back to council and constituents.

The board’s next regular meeting is expected to include additional updates on the fee study, staffing hires, and any recommended ordinance changes that might accompany a fee restructure.