Colleton County adopts $41.5 million FY2026–27 budget with no millage increase

Colleton County Council adopted on second reading a budget ordinance authorizing operations and debt service for fiscal year 07/01/2026 through 06/30/2027, with the budget reported at roughly $41.5 million and no millage increase.

County staff told the council the figure reflects ongoing adjustments made through workshops; department heads cut spending to avoid raising millage. Staff highlighted a planned financial-software upgrade with an initial price tag of about $200,000 that the finance team trimmed through internal reductions and vendor negotiation, reducing the county's immediate net cost. Facilities management identified roughly $217,000 in reductions by moving certain items onto a capital improvement plan. Staff also said the county absorbed a substantial rise in medical insurance costs and offset an estimated revenue reduction of about $100,000 related to state adjustments (referred to in the record as the 'boat bill').

A council member thanked department staff for the heavy lifts required to keep the budget balanced and noted the absence of a millage increase. The ordinance passed on a council vote at the meeting; the transcript records the vote as carried unanimously on voice vote.

County officials said a public hearing on the budget will be advertised and held at the June meeting at 5:30 p.m., before the next council meeting, to allow public review and comment prior to finalizing implementation steps.