Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nelson County board approves tentative FY2027 budget, flags $400,000 bourbon-barrel revenue risk
Summary
The Nelson County Board of Education on May 12 approved a tentative fiscal year 2027 budget focused on staffing and personnel costs, while hearing staff say a bourbon-barrel tax study could mean roughly $400,000 less revenue next year.
Mr. Martin presented the district's tentative fiscal year 2027 budget and the board voted to approve it at the May 12 meeting.
"We plan on being flat, meaning that revenues match expenditures," Mr. Martin said as he summarized the district's projection for the coming fiscal year and described the process by which priorities and expenditures are set before final revenue figures are known.
The board's presentation emphasized staffing as the primary cost driver. Mr. Martin said certified-staff salary schedules have risen about 19–22% since 2019, a change he estimated represents roughly $6 million in additional payroll commitments. He described that figure as a conservative estimate and noted that benefits and other staff-related costs were not fully included in that number.
Board members asked about revenue timing and contingency. Mr. Martin said property assessment data expected in August and state funding calculations that arrive later in the budget cycle will clarify final revenue. He told the board that an early study of bourbon-barrel tax receipts suggests the district might receive about $400,000 less than last year, and that state adjustments could offset part—but not necessarily all—of that shortfall.
The board moved, seconded and approved the tentative FY2027 budget as presented. The vote was taken by voice and the chair announced the motion passed.
The meeting also included related fiscal business: the board approved continuing to work with Patrick and Associates for the annual audit, a routine contract renewal described by staff as comparable in fee and scope to prior years.
Next steps: the tentative budget is used to set priorities and staffing plans; final revenue and any necessary adjustments will be addressed as property assessment and state funding information becomes available.
