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Oconee chairman outlines budget priorities and SPLOST 27 plan ahead of May vote
Summary
Chairman John Daniel summarized FY26 spending increases—largely for the sheriff's office and SROs—and detailed a proposed SPLOST 27 expected to raise an estimated $75–$90 million to fund debt repayment, water projects, parks, emergency services and historic preservation.
Chairman John Daniel delivered the State of the County address, framing Oconee County's finances as strong while warning of state-level changes that could add uncertainty to future budgets. He said the county's FY26 budget increased by roughly $5 million from the previous year, noting about $4 million went to the sheriff's office and $2.5 million to school resource officers.
Daniel said roughly $19.7 million of county revenue comes from property taxes and described local mill rates (county 4.184 and inside-city 5.154). He reviewed recent local homestead exemptions and said the board has rolled back the county mill rate over multiple years.
On a major funding proposal, Daniel outlined SPLOST 27 (the special-purpose local option sales tax) that the county plans to ask voters to approve. He estimated SPLOST 27 would generate between $75 million and $90 million and described allocations: debt service for two general obligation bonds (the veterans park and the administrative building), significant funding for parks and recreation, water-resources work, farmland-protection easements, emergency-services facilities and equipment, historic-property work and county facility maintenance. Daniel also said some proceeds would be shared with cities by population.
Daniel cautioned that several bills in the state legislature could shift costs or requirements to local governments, creating uncertainty as the county prepares the FY2027 budget. "This creates a lot of uncertainty," he said.
The chairman closed by noting the SPLOST line-item estimates and that final project costs and exact funding allocations will depend on bids and final planning; he encouraged residents to review project lists and participate in upcoming public outreach.
The county did not record a formal vote during the address; the SPLOST measure is slated for voter consideration (May date referenced in the address).
