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Central Pacolet council approves FY2027 budget on first reading, boosts police pay
Summary
Council approved the FY2027 operating budget on first reading, including a targeted 5% pay step for police (3% COLA plus 2% increase), capital and hospitality‑fund planning, and a $50,000 planned capital deposit from Midsouth aggregates royalty revenue; council kept the ability to amend the budget later.
Central Pacolet’s council approved the fiscal year 2027 operating budget on first reading after a lengthy discussion about public safety pay, capital funds and budget accounting practices.
Shantel, who presented the budget, told the council the police department would receive a 5% salary increase for the coming year — structured as a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment plus a 2% targeted increase — instead of the 3% COLA that had been used previously. The measure was framed as a step toward improving competitiveness with neighboring jurisdictions but not a full market adjustment; one council member said the town’s pay remains ‘‘$10,000 below the market at every position.”
Budget highlights reviewed by staff included additions for public works overtime and a $20,000 allocation for beautification supplies, a hospitality fund balance of roughly $100,000 with typical annual hospitality revenue of about $25,000, and a plan to place $50,000 of expected Midsouth aggregates royalty revenue into a capital fund while using the other $50,000 for operating needs. The presenter said that the town has a $100,000 receivable budgeted from Midsouth and that $50,000 would be moved to capital under the proposed strategy.
Council members asked detailed questions about training budgets, capital outlays that had been recorded in operating lines (for example, a $16,134 capital outlay that appeared without a prior budget line) and the town’s reporting cadence. Staff said they will add clearer monthly reports for hospitality and capital funds and will create a separate capital outlay line item beginning July 1.
After discussion, a motion to approve the FY2027 budget on first reading passed; council members noted the budget can be amended in future meetings if needed.
The council also discussed a $232,000 estimate for police facility upgrades and directed the public safety committee to review options and funding; the upgrade was not finalized pending committee recommendations.
