Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Smith County board votes to submit $39.3 million budget to county commissioners
Summary
After questions about fund balance and a county commissioner's public comment about an apparent shortfall, the board voted 5-3 to submit the original $39.3M budget package to the county commissioners for review.
The Smith County Board of Education voted to submit the original $39,300,000 general-purpose budget to the county commissioners after reviewing three budget options and discussing fund-balance projections.
County Commissioner Theresa Bush addressed the board in public comment before the vote, warning that the school system's proposed $38,000,000 budget was being presented against an estimated $32,000,000 in revenue and that after required reserves the shortfall could be about $2.1 million. Board and staff members later said current revenue is running roughly $3—2 to $3.5 million higher than earlier estimates and reported a fund balance of a little over $9,000,000 before the final payroll run.
During debate, members discussed the insurance premium increase (estimated in discussion at roughly $400,000—420,500) and options to include or omit capital items such as a turning lane and athletic field lights. After discussion, the board made a motion and voted by roll call to transmit the $39.3 million proposal to the county commissioners; the chair said the county may return the budget and the board can trim items if requested.
The board also approved several related fiscal items: the cafeteria budget for Fund 01:43, a resolution authorizing internal fund transfers (resolution H), and special-education contracts for 2026-27. The board directed staff to continue monitoring revenues and expenditures and to provide necessary documentation when the county reviews the submission.
