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Dorchester County Council adopts FY2027 budget and fee schedule, shifts one school expense
Summary
The Council adopted Bill No. 2026-5, the FY2027 Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance, and approved Resolution No. 695 adopting the FY27 Schedule of Fees. Council and staff said the final budget reprioritizes employees and moves a Board of Education line to workers' compensation.
The Dorchester County Council adopted its FY2027 Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance (Bill No. 2026-5) after a final public hearing on May 19, 2026; the ordinance passed by roll call vote with all five members—Pfeffer, Detmer, Kramer, Nichols and Travers—voting aye. The Council also adopted Resolution No. 695, the FY27 Schedule of Fees, which the administration said is needed to support the approved budget.
Irene Barnes, Executive Operations Manager, opened the hearing and said the session was the third and final public hearing on the budget. County Manager Jerry Jones told the Council that, following the final budget work session, staff adjusted the Board of Education expense and shifted the difference to workers' compensation to balance the ordinance before adoption.
Councilman Pfeffer reported the General Fund operating cash on hand as $27,270,198.75. Jones thanked staff and the Council for prioritizing county employees during the budget process and said auditors are expected to be current within about a year; a county budget book is planned for release in the near term.
The Council approved the fee schedule by roll call (Pfeffer, Detmer, Kramer, Nichols, Travers all aye). Finance Director Karen Tolley answered resident questions about the budget during the public comment period; Sharon Smith asked for clarification on audit timing and budget details. The hearing record contains an amendment to a School Resource Officer grant (FY26) reallocating $91,421 to overtime because a dedicated SRO was not hired.
Votes at a glance: the Council adopted Bill No. 2026-5 (FY27 budget) and Resolution No. 695 (FY27 fees), both by unanimous roll call. Several consent items tied to the budget process were also approved, including grant applications and amendments.
The ordinance took effect following adoption; the council indicated the next procedural step is implementation by county departments and publication of the final budget materials.
