Cayce council gives first reading to $20.14M general-fund and $55.10M utilities budgets; contingency reserve proposed

CAYCE — The Cayce City Council gave first reading May 26 to Ordinance 2026-04, adopting a $20,139,640 General Fund budget and a $55,104,592 Utilities Fund budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. The first-reading motion passed by a 4–1 vote.

Mayor Pro Tem Phil Carter moved to approve the budgets as presented; Council Member Byron Thomas seconded. Council discussion focused on economic uncertainty and a staff suggestion to reserve roughly two mills as a contingency to provide flexibility for unforeseen cost increases related to inflation and other conditions. Thomas voiced support for the contingency reserve and proposed directing any unused reserve toward community improvement efforts such as housing rehabilitation, neighborhood beautification or business-assistance programs. Carter said he preferred the contingency idea be discussed further before second reading because it had not been previously presented to Council.

City Manager Michael Conley reported there were no items for the City Manager’s Report. The council later moved into an executive session to receive legal advice about its obligations under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act and a proposed economic development project; after reconvening, Mayor Elise Partin said no action had been taken in executive session. The meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m.

The first-reading approval advances the ordinance to a second reading where Council may adopt the budget formally and consider any final amendments, including how to implement or formalize the proposed contingency reserve.