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Cayce council reviews proposed FY2026/2027 general fund budget as departments flag staffing, equipment and park needs
Summary
City staff and department heads presented a balanced proposed FY2026/2027 general fund budget at a May 20 work session, noting above-budget revenues and asking council for follow-up on millage comparisons, fire staffing and facilities, police equipment, fleet replacements, and park improvements.
The Cayce City Council reviewed a proposed FY2026/2027 general fund budget at a special work session on May 20, 2026, at Cayce City Hall. Staff and the city’s budget consultant said the proposal is balanced and that current-year revenues are performing above budget.
The meeting opened with Mayor Elise Partin calling the session to order and Council Member Byron Thomas offering the invocation. Municipal Clerk Kristen Kylar Hall confirmed that members of the press and public had been duly notified under the Freedom of Information Act.
Budget consultant Melissia Harrill and city staff presented an overview of projected revenues and expenditures, and council discussed the city’s millage rate, inflationary impacts on operations, and comparisons with neighboring municipalities. No specific millage rate or dollar amounts were provided during the presentation; council asked staff for comparative millage information and additional budget detail.
Department heads summarized operating and capital priorities. The Parks Department outlined planned improvements to the Riverwalk and Guinyard Park, including replacement of aging infrastructure and equipment; council asked for a future plan and timeline for those projects. Sanitation and Fleet Maintenance requested vehicle replacements, described a need for a grapple truck, and proposed construction of a vehicle wash rack to support maintenance operations.
Fire Chief Steven Bullard described challenges with staffing, retention and overtime and noted concerns about station conditions and long-term service demands. Bullard said the department needs additional personnel to meet national response standards and recommended considering a fire station needs assessment and reestablishing a Fire Marshal position; the council requested more detailed information on staffing projections and facility needs.
Police Chief Bruce Wade reviewed a largely stable operating budget while flagging increases tied to contractual services, equipment, uniforms and vehicle replacements. The department also sought upgrades to evidence storage, drones, video systems and courtroom facilities, and proposed purchasing traffic data collection equipment to address neighborhood speeding; Wade and staff noted ongoing officer recruitment and retention challenges and asked for vehicle replacement schedule details.
Council members requested follow-up information on several items, including millage-rate comparisons with neighboring municipalities, options to expand the façade grant program, courtroom improvement cost estimates, detailed fire staffing and facility needs (including a station assessment), police vehicle replacement schedules, and a timeline for park improvement projects.
Council Member Byron Thomas moved to adjourn; Council Member Alice Rose seconded. The motion passed by unanimous roll-call vote, and the meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m.
The City confirmed the session was a special called General Fund budget work session; staff will return with the requested follow-up information for council consideration.
