Jackson County presents $170.98 million FY27 budget, budgets 2% pay increase and awaits final digest

Erin, the district finance director, presented the Jackson County Board of Education's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget during a public hearing, saying, “We have total revenues budgeted of $170,978,940 and total expenditures budgeted $170,971,720.” She told the board the proposal includes a 2% salary increase for all staff, adjustments required by state health and TRS changes, and reclassification of counseling from instructional to pupil services that shifts expenditures within functions rather than raising total spending.

Erin described the district's assumptions for local revenue: the proposal is based on a 7% increase in assessed values and a 10% increase in exemptions while keeping the current millage rate in projections because the final digest is not yet available. She said most revenue is collected in December and January, and noted that the district uses five‑year averages for many revenue categories while categoricals and QBE are budgeted on expected state receipts.

On debt and capital, Erin summarized planned debt service payments — about $6,154,750 in September and $12,944,750 in March — and said the capital projects budget reflects only the portion of multi‑year projects expected to be paid in FY27, including bus leasing, technology replacements, portions of a K–12 facility on Boone Road and additions/renovations at East Elementary and middle schools. She identified SPLOST proceeds and interest income as capital project revenue sources and said a portion of SPLOST will be used for debt service.

School nutrition is budgeted with revenues of $7,516,378 and expenditures of $8,358,576; Erin said the program is affected by the 2% salary increase, state health and TRS changes, higher food and supply costs and equipment replacement. She said federal reimbursement details were forthcoming and that prices for student and adult meals will be increased.

Erin highlighted legislative impacts she said will affect the budget, including higher employer health contributions and TRS employer contribution increases (she cited TRS employer contribution rising from 13.15% in 2015 to 22.32% in FY27) and changes to sick leave and paid parental leave that will add costs. She also noted that Senate Bill 33 will cap home values and that a proposed increase in the allowable fund balance from 15% to 25% would improve cash‑flow flexibility between tax collections.

Next steps: the board completed the required public hearing and the finance staff said the final budget cannot be adopted until the county property digest is final and the millage rate set; the board may approve a spending resolution in July to continue operations until the final budget is adopted.

The hearing drew one question about when the fund balance is calculated; Erin said the state monitors monthly but that the year‑end/audit moment is a key point of reference and that balances spike when property tax collections post in December/January.

The board did not adopt a final budget at this meeting; staff will return when the final digest is available.