County Administrator Jerry Threatt presents balanced budget with millage increase at Laurens County workshop

County Administrator Jerry Threatt on Thursday presented a revised proposed fiscal year budget to the Laurens County Council, saying the plan is balanced and restores revenue assumptions after a reassessment year.

"We are presenting to you a balanced budget that the revenues match the expenses," Threatt said, explaining staff had adjusted revenue projections and raised expected collections back to about 98 percent. He said the proposal does not draw on reserves and would add roughly $1.8 million to the county's reserves.

Why it matters: the workshop set the stage for a second reading of appropriations. Council members used the session to question personnel requests, capital spending and fund transfers that will determine whether the budget stays balanced at adoption.

Threatt told the council staff had revisited millage and revenue projections and identified a small millage increase to close remaining gaps. He and other staff estimated that change would amount to about $5.28 for a home with a $100,000 assessed value. The administrator also said staff did not reduce planned capital outlays in the current proposal.

Council members pressed staff on personnel and classification changes. Officials said some reclassifications and position choices left the capital/personnel fund (CPF) about $96,900 over the recommended budget. Council members asked where that shortfall should be covered and whether transfers or fund balances could absorb the gap. Staff noted some projections (a previously cited $2 million fire fund balance) were based on January figures and needed updating.

On fire and EMS, staff reported progress on equipment requests: the county obtained 16 of 20 requested air packs and planned replacement of two apparatus with lease financing for vehicle payments. For EMS specifically, the budget includes funding for two new remount ambulance bodies, though the transcript did not record vendor details or finalized purchase contracts.

The meeting also included presentation of accommodations‑tax (ATAX) rules and grant timing. A presenter explained how ATAX receipts are allocated (the first $25,000 to the general fund; 5% of the remainder to general fund; 30% to a tourism promotion agency such as the Chamber of Commerce) and said tourism grants this cycle could reach up to $4,000. The accommodations‑tax committee set an application deadline of May 29.

Next steps: staff said the document discussed would be the version presented at the second reading unless councilors requested changes. The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn was moved and seconded; the transcript records the motion and second but does not record a roll‑call tally of the vote.

Key numbers and items discussed (as stated in the workshop): - Restored collections to about 98% with a 2% uncollectible assumption. - Estimated millage increase impact: about $5.28 per $100,000 of assessed value. - Approximately $1.8 million projected to be added to reserves under the proposal; staff said no use of reserves for the proposed budget. - A $96,900 overage identified in the capital/personnel fund tied to reclassifications and position requests. - EMS/fire equipment: 16 of 20 requested air packs received; two replacement trucks financed; two remount ambulance bodies included in budget. - Accommodations‑tax (ATAX) grants: up to $4,000; application deadline May 29 (committee set deadline).

The council did not adopt final appropriations at the workshop; the budget as presented will proceed to a second reading where final votes and any transfers or amendments will be recorded.