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Columbus County schedules public hearing for FY 2026–27 budget as manager warns of revenue shortfalls
Summary
The board set a public hearing for the FY 2026–27 proposed budget for June 1, 2026; County Manager Madden outlined revenue pressures — including a roughly $2 million loss tied to a local employer and a $1.4 million DSS revenue decline — and urged careful review of the proposed plan.
The Columbus County Board of Commissioners agreed May 18 to set a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget for Monday, June 1, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Finance staff presented the proposed budget and County Manager Madden gave a detailed overview of the county's fiscal position, warning of tighter revenues and urging careful board review.
Finance Director Heather Woody presented the request to establish the public hearing; the board approved it by voice vote. Madden told commissioners that the county collects approximately $30,000,000 in property tax revenue and noted that property tax revenue was "relatively flat," saying the county had absorbed roughly $2,000,000 in lost revenue in 2025 after a major employer (International Paper/the Carolina King) went offline.
Madden also said the Department of Social Services is facing a revenue decline of about $1,400,000 and that other state and federal funding streams have diminished. "We have to operate within the money that you have unless you wanna increase revenue," Madden said, urging the board to weigh either further cuts or revenue options. He warned some operating and capital spending has been zeroed out and said, "If the board doesn't heed the recommendation, it doesn't cut cost or increase revenues ... faces further scrutiny from the state for not operating within its means."
Board members asked clarifying questions: commissioners queried whether the proposed budget included new sheriff vehicles (Madden replied no) and discussed how vehicle purchases and other recurring costs will be handled. Finance staff explained the proposed totals include all funds (general fund, enterprise funds, special funds and capital projects) and described a decline in total budgeted funds from roughly $112 million in July 2024 to about $105 million in the current year.
Practical details: the board set the public hearing for 6:30 p.m. on June 1, 2026; the county encouraged the public to review the budget document that has been distributed to the board and to attend the hearing.
