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Sullivan's Island council adopts FY2026 operating, water and capital budgets and approves $2.4 million bond authorization
Summary
The Town Council unanimously approved the FY2026 General Fund, Water & Sewer and Capital budgets, and cleared a bond ordinance authorizing up to $2.4 million in general obligation bonds. Council cited mandated employee cost increases and a multi-year PFAS compliance plan in the water budget.
Sullivan's Island Town Council unanimously approved the FY2026 General Fund, Water & Sewer and Capital budgets and authorized a general obligation bond issuance of up to $2,400,000 during its May 20 meeting.
Comptroller Jason Blanton presented an overview of the General Fund and the town's first formal Capital Budget, saying the capital plan was prepared this year at the auditors' recommendation and that the budgets presented in March have not materially changed. Finance Committee Chair Scott Millimet noted state-mandated increases for pensions and employee health insurance and confirmed the town budget also includes cost-of-living adjustments tied to the state retirement system.
Mayor Pro-Tem Justin Novak, who chairs the Water & Sewer Committee, said increases in the Water & Sewer Fund reflect a forty-year contract with Charleston Water System and anticipated work to comply with upcoming federal PFAS rules; the town plans to spread PFAS-related costs over five years. "Some increases stem from the long-term contract and necessary PFAS compliance work," Novak said in the presentation portion of the meeting.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 2025-01 (Adopt General Fund Budget FY2026) — second reading approved unanimously; Ordinance 2025-02 (Adopt Water & Sewer Budget FY2026) — second reading approved unanimously; Ordinance 2025-03 (Adopt Capital Budget FY2026) — second reading approved unanimously; Ordinance 2025-04 (Authorize up to $2,400,000 general obligation bonds) — second reading approved unanimously.
Councilmembers emphasized the budgets were discussed at prior Finance and Water & Sewer committee meetings and during multiple public sessions. Millimet said the town is not adding new fleet vehicles but replacing aging equipment. The council did not change the amounts presented at first reading but approved them following the staff presentations and committee reviews.
The ordinances passed on second reading at the May 20 meeting. The water budget discussion included the town's plan for PFAS compliance and references the forty-year service agreement with Charleston Water System as a cost driver. The council's approval allows staff to begin implementation steps consistent with the adopted budgets.
The council adjourned other agenda items after the votes; no further budget amendments were made during the meeting.
