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Draft budget would include 3‑mill increase to fund raises; board asks for more detail
Summary
Finance presenter Lisa Johnson showed a draft 2026–27 budget that would require a worst‑case 3‑mill tax increase (about $18 per $100,000 of assessed value) to balance a proposed $127.5 million revenue budget and fund teacher and staff pay increases; board members requested detailed spend breakdowns and timeline information before any final vote.
Lisa Johnson presented the first draft of the Georgetown County School District's 2026–27 general fund operating budget and outlined both revenue assumptions and proposed expenditures.
"To balance this budget tonight, the 2026–27 budgeted revenues would require a millage increase of 3 mills," Johnson said, adding the draft revenue figure presented to the board was $127,525,264 compared with a 2025–26 starting point of $124,116,411. She said the draft assumes about $2.8 million in additional local tax collections, offsets including a $475,000 reduction in boat and motor taxes under the new law, and a $923,000 projected reduction in state classroom aid pending final enrollment counts.
On the expenditure side, Johnson outlined a $1,500 increase to each step of the teacher salary scale at an estimated cost just under $2.1 million; a 2% bus driver scale increase (raising the starting hourly rate to about $18.63) with an estimated $41,389 cost; classified salary adjustments estimated at $780,674 (moving some starting hourly rates to $15.00); administrative increases of roughly $290,408; and contingency and insurance adjustments. She also budgeted $83,000 for increased security/county officer costs tied to hourly rate increases.
Board members pressed for more granular detail. Several asked who would bear a millage increase; Johnson said the 3‑mill example would amount to about $18 per $100,000 of assessed value (roughly $1.50 a month on $100,000 when amortized monthly) and that it generally affects second homes, rentals and businesses rather than primary residences under the district's tax assumptions. Members requested a breakout of discretionary travel, grant‑required travel, P‑card spending, food purchases and other nonpayroll discretionary items, and asked staff to identify how much state funding might still materialize before final adoption.
Johnson reminded the board of the statutory advertising requirement for a public hearing and the need to adopt the budget by June 30; she said staff may need to schedule a special meeting to allow the required 15‑day advertising period before adoption.
Votes at a glance
- Personnel list: Motion to approve the administration's personnel list carried by voice vote (no roll‑call tally recorded). - 2026–27 board meeting dates: Approved by voice vote as presented.
The board did not adopt a final budget at the workshop; members instructed staff to return with requested detail for follow‑up meetings and a potential special meeting to meet advertising and adoption deadlines.
