Council advances FY2027 budget; administrator outlines CIP and recreational complex plan

County Administrator Levar Yumas presented the second reading of the FY2027 appropriations ordinance at the May 27 special call meeting, calling attention to a recommended $24.6 million budget and proposed adjustments to millage.

Yumas said department heads requested roughly $1.6 million in total that the recommended budget does not absorb and described a recommended millage increase tied to the capital plan (characterized in the presentation as a 5.9% increase in the millage rate, with the value of one mill in the county presented as $58,000).

For the first time, the proposed ordinance includes a capital improvement plan (CIP) to structure county spending on capital items going forward. Yumas described a phase‑1 concept for a recreational complex developed with Buford Design Build and said the county has $3,000,000 available to apply to the project; he also said the county submitted a congressional packet seeking additional funds and that HUD is waiting for an action plan showing how the county would renovate or adapt a building for recreational use.

During the presentation, a representative from Buford Design Build (identified as "Mister Dan" in the transcript) walked the council through schematic boards showing a phase‑1 recreational zone. Council members discussed whether to include a pool in later phases; Yumas said the firm can adjust plans.

A council member moved to accept the second reading of the FY2027 appropriation ordinance. The motion was seconded and approved by the council by show of hands; the transcript does not include a roll‑call vote or the full ordinance text.

What happens next: The ordinance advanced by second reading; the council will proceed with any required subsequent readings and implementation planning, including outreach to the school board and municipal stakeholders about facility use and further budget deliberations.