Pickens leaders hold public hearing on $64.6 million tentative FY27 budget

CFO Amy Smith presented the Pickens County district’s tentative fiscal year 2027 budget at a public hearing July 9, telling the board the proposed general fund expenditures total $64,565,119 and represent an increase of just over $1 million from the current year.

“This budget reflects a close look at QBE reductions, rising health benefit costs and the TRS required contribution,” Amy Smith said, adding that salary and benefits account for roughly 88% of the general fund — about $56.5 million — while operating costs are about 12% (roughly $8 million). Smith said the proposed budget currently spends slightly more than projected revenue by a little over $2,000,000 and that the district intends to rely on its healthy fund balance to manage that gap.

The hearing is the second required public forum on the tentative budget; Smith said the district conducted four budget workshops this year and already completed a first public hearing on June 15. She noted the district must advertise the budget on its website and await final property-digest figures before bringing a final budget for adoption.

Why it matters: the general fund is the primary operating budget for schools; with nearly nine in 10 dollars going to salaries and benefits, budget decisions will largely shape staffing and classroom resources next year. The board must complete the public-review steps and hold a final vote after required notices and the receipt of the local digest.

Board action and next steps: the hearing satisfied the district’s procedural requirement for public input on the tentative FY27 budget. The board will post required notices and return for final consideration once digest numbers are available, as Amy Smith described.

Sources: presentation and remarks by Amy Smith, CFO, and the board’s public hearing on July 9.