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Transylvania County presents $82.5 million FY 2027 recommended budget with no proposed tax increase
Summary
County staff recommended a $82.5 million General Fund for FY 2027 that maintains the current property tax rate, fully funds school operational and capital requests, advances major capital projects, and proposes a compensation study to address workforce pay gaps.
The Transylvania County Board of Commissioners reviewed the county manager’s FY 2027 recommended budget Tuesday, a proposal that totals $82.5 million for the General Fund and does not include a property tax rate increase.
County Manager Jaime Laughter told commissioners the recommended plan continues long-term capital planning, funds school capital and courthouse projects using assigned fund balance to smooth debt payments, and prioritizes workforce investments to address market pay disparities. The recommendation also includes full funding of Transylvania County Schools’ operational request and a 42% increase in annual capital funding.
Staff highlighted major capital initiatives that remain in planning: a $164 million school capital improvement plan (a mix of bond, grant and other Education Capital Fund dollars) and a $38 million courthouse project. The manager said the county is currently managing roughly $220 million in capital projects, about $120 million of which is funded by grants.
Personnel-related costs are the county’s largest single expenditure, at about 45% of the budget. The recommended budget includes funding for a compensation and classification study to be completed ahead of the previously planned 2028 timeline; staff said the study will compare local positions with those in at least 17 comparable jurisdictions and produce implementation estimates for the FY 2028 budget.
The manager warned commissioners that several state and federal decisions remain unsettled and could create recurring local costs that would require future property tax adjustments or use of fund balance. Those risks include changes to SNAP cost-sharing and potential statewide teacher pay increases, both discussed separately by staff.
The manager reminded the Board the county must adopt a budget and set the tax rate by June 30; the public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for June 22. Chairwoman Teresa McCall thanked staff for long-term planning efforts and said the county’s conservative approach has helped avoid larger tax adjustments other jurisdictions are considering.
Looking ahead, staff recommended continued monitoring of inflation, fuel costs and state policy developments and emphasized public engagement through posted budget materials and upcoming hearings.
