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County CFO outlines FY27 proposal: mill-rate neutral at 59.5, staffing requests trimmed to balance budget
Summary
Beaufort County administration presented a mill-rate-neutral FY27 proposal that includes a 3% combined compensation program, a four-year CIP, and $4.7M (general-fund) in recommended vehicle/equipment purchases after cuts; council asked for more detail on new position requests.
County finance staff presented the recommended FY27 budget at the May 5 council workshop, saying administration sought to remain mill-rate neutral while funding key personnel changes and capital needs.
The county CFO told the council the recommended package implements a step/merit plan and a 1% cost-of-living adjustment for a combined compensation change of roughly 3%. "Per your direction, we implemented a merit… and then we implemented a 2% merit program with a 1% COLA, so total of 3%," the CFO said.
Staff said the proposed budget aims to remain mill neutral at 59.5 by reprioritizing mills from debt and the CIP into operations and by trimming vehicle and equipment requests (administration said it cut about $4.8 million from capital equipment requests). The administration also proposed a four-year capital-improvement plan to finish long-outstanding projects.
Administration recommended fewer new general-fund positions than were requested (29 recommended vs. more requested by departments) and said some requests were omitted to keep the budget balanced. The presentation included criteria-based vehicle replacements (ambulances and sheriff fleet vehicles) and noted $4.7 million in recommended vehicle requests for the general fund and roughly $461,000 for equipment after reductions.
Council members asked for more detail and rationale for specific recommended positions and for justification of equipment needs; staff agreed to provide backup material and noted that first reading of the budget ordinance is scheduled at the May finance committee meeting in two weeks.
