Fayette County presents FY2027 budget keeping millage steady, eyes one-time $7.7M for capital projects

Fayette County commissioners on May 21 heard a detailed presentation of the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget that keeps the County Maintenance & Operations millage rate at 3.763 while preserving current employee benefits and funding a five-year capital improvement program.

Chief Financial Officer Sheryl Weinmann told the Board the budget assumes conservative revenue projections and does not rely on one-time funds to pay ongoing operating costs. She said the FY2027 General Fund projection leaves a fund balance of about $30.9 million, with the Stabilization Fund set at $20.17 million, a $2.0 million emergency fund, and a proposed General Fund contribution to a five‑year CIP of $3,931,434. Weinmann said the proposed budget increases the General Fund balance by $483,454.

“We continue to budget conservatively and maintain the County’s AAA bond rating,” Weinmann said, and described benefit plan designs that preserve existing health, dental and vision coverage while adjusting some deductibles and account funding levels for the two plan options (POS/HRA and HDHP/HSA).

County Administrator Steve Rapson told commissioners the County has faced constrained revenues this year because of state legislative changes that affected local revenue flows. Rapson said staff are cautious about projecting personal-property receipts but currently estimate a county share of $7.7 million tied to personal property from Microsoft/QTS; he emphasized that staff intend to treat that money as a one-time infusion and allocate it to capital projects (a proposed Targeted Revitalization & Infrastructure Program), not ongoing operating costs.

Rapson and Weinmann also reviewed major expenditure categories: public safety is the largest General Fund expense (41.7%); personnel costs make up roughly 65.3% of countywide spending; and several funds (911, Fire, EMS, Water System) showed distinct revenue and expense patterns. Weinmann said the Water System expects to retire remaining bond debt in FY2027, freeing about $3.8 million for future CIP needs.

The budget documents include staffing changes that yield a net increase of about 13.375 FTEs (1.6%), nine newly funded full-time positions across departments including parks and recreation, road maintenance and information systems, and numerous promotions/reclassifications across county departments. Weinmann also described the proposed merit distribution approaches, including an alternative 'forced ranking' bell-curve option at roughly 2.06% of payroll.

Weinmann highlighted specific operating and capital items in the proposed budget, including $2.3 million for road resurfacing, $1.85 million in transfers to the Vehicle/Equipment fund, and various water-system operating costs (chemicals, electrical, engineering, and software). She said the county will continue wellness and pharmacy programs with partners such as Cigna, Evernorth and Omada and roll out TextCare for employee access to care.

Weinmann closed by reminding the Board that two public hearings are scheduled: the first on June 11, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. and the second and adoption hearing on June 25, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Next steps: staff will present the detailed proposed budget at the June public hearings for citizen comment and for the Board to consider formal adoption.