Estill council approves budget amendment, advances FY2026 budget on first reading

The Town of Estill Council unanimously approved a budget amendment and advanced its proposed FY2026 operating and capital budget on first reading at its May 14, 2025 meeting.

On second reading the council approved Ordinance No. 2025-02, "An Ordinance to Amend the Budget Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, So as to Revise the Revenues and Expenditures," after a motion by Councilman James Williams and a second by Councilman Joe N. Hadwin Jr.; the vote was 4-0.

Mayor Corrin F. Bowers then opened first reading of Ordinance No. 2025-03, "An Ordinance to Adopt FY 2026 Operating and Capital Budget for the Town of Estill, South Carolina Covering the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2025, and Ending June 30, 2026." Councilman Joe N. Hadwin Jr. moved the ordinance on first reading, Councilwoman Synetria McQuire seconded, and the council voted 4-0 to advance the ordinance.

The council also voted 4-0 to approve the South Carolina Public Employee Benefits Insurance Confidentiality Agreement after a motion by Councilman James Williams and a second by Councilman Joe N. Hadwin Jr.; the agenda item was recorded as "taken as information" for the supporting materials and the motion carried without further discussion.

The FY2026 measure passed only on first reading; the ordinance text, proposed revenues and expenditures, and any department-level allocations were not discussed in detail during this meeting and will require a subsequent reading or adoption procedure as set by town ordinance. The record does not specify effective dates or dollar totals for the FY2026 budget in the minutes.

The council voted unanimously on the recorded motions; no dissenting votes or abstentions were recorded.