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Oconee County staff outline $85.5 million FY27 budget, general fund $49.0 million
Summary
County staff presented a balanced FY27 proposed general fund budget of $49,004,700 and a total FY27 budget of $85,493,242, highlighting new EMS fee revenue, increased paving projects funded largely by TSPLOST, and capital vehicle and facility reserves; formal adoption is scheduled for June 2.
Melissa, county staff presenter for Oconee County, opened the board’s second public hearing on the fiscal 2027 proposed budget and outlined the figures and program priorities that staff recommend.
The proposed general fund operating budget is $49,004,700, a roughly 7% increase (about $3.3 million) over the prior year’s original adopted budget, and is presented as balanced with revenues matching expenditures. Property tax is budgeted at $20.1 million, making up just over 41% of the general fund. Staff said charges for services include a newly budgeted $1.5 million in ambulance fee revenue for EMS and that EMS operations will still represent a net county cost of about $1.6 million.
The total proposed FY27 budget across all funds is $85,493,242, which the presenter noted is about 2% higher than the prior year and includes the general fund, SPLOST and TSPLOST capital project funds, special revenue funds and three enterprise funds. The Water Resources enterprise fund is budgeted at about $16.9 million and represents the largest enterprise fund share of total spending.
Paving and transportation were emphasized: the county budgeted $7.8 million for paving in FY27, of which $6 million is expected from TSPLOST. Personnel and benefits are shown at $28.1 million (57% of general fund spending), and operations and maintenance are budgeted at 26.8% of general fund expenditures, reflecting increased EMS operations and planned infrastructure work. Staff also noted a $150,000 allocation for an updated comprehensive plan in the planning department and $130,000 of an internal reclassification moving costs from personnel to operations and maintenance; staff said these are line-item changes that do not alter the total proposed budget.
Capital and reserves highlighted in the presentation include vehicle and equipment replacements (sheriff and county fleet purchases, including SPLOST- and general-fund-funded law-enforcement vehicles), IT network equipment ($80,000), park facility equipment ($50,000), and three SPLOST-funded fire tanker trucks. Staff explained some large water and sewer infrastructure projects already have life-of-project budgets approved in the current year; remaining balances will roll forward into FY27 as amendments when needed.
The presenter encouraged review of the posted one-page budget summary and fee schedule and said the board is scheduled to consider budget adoption at its June 2 regular meeting. The public hearing portion was closed and the board proceeded to its regular May 19 meeting.
