Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Central Pacolet council reviews FY2027 draft budget and discusses police raises and park funding shortfall
Summary
Council discussed FY2027 budget timing, possible higher-than-usual raises for the police department, a reduced Norfolk Southern grant for the Station Park project, and decisions about demolition and grant accounting ahead of first reading timelines.
The Central Pacolet Town Council spent a substantial portion of its April 6 meeting reviewing the FY2027 draft budget, with staff explaining revenue timing, grant assumptions and planned personnel adjustments.
Administrator Patrick said business‑license revenue typically arrives April–June and noted a large state insurance distribution that normally posts in June; he also told council that Norfolk Southern provided $50,000 rather than the anticipated $250,000 grant for the Station Park project, which reduced previously budgeted project revenue and expense expectations.
On compensation, the administrator and Police Chief Hall said they identified budget adjustments and were aiming to provide raises for police staff larger than a standard 3% COLA—staff said increases could be in the 5%–6% range or higher, depending on final numbers. Council asked staff to prepare a revised draft and noted that two readings and a public hearing are required before July 1 so any appropriations are lawful for the fiscal year.
Council also discussed property demolitions, explaining the town can temporarily fund a demolition and then lean the property to recover costs if owners do not act; staff cited recent contractor quotes and said most demolitions had been avoided after notice letters prompted owner action.
Why it matters: Budget decisions determine staffing levels, service capacity and the timing of capital projects. The reduced grant for the Station Park project changes the town’s capital budget assumptions and may require future amendments if additional outside funding is not secured.
What’s next: Staff will return a revised budget for first reading and schedule the required public hearing and second reading before the July 1 fiscal deadline.
