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County CFO outlines options as Cherokee opens first millage‑rate hearing
Summary
Cherokee County finance staff presented the FY2026 draft budget, reserve strategy and millage options; residents and county employees urged transparency and restoring a cost‑of‑living adjustment for staff during public comment.
The Cherokee County Board opened the first of three public hearings on the 2026 millage rate on June 21, and Chief Financial Officer Lonnie "Chuck" Jenkins presented key budget assumptions, reserve forecasts and millage alternatives.
Jenkins said Cherokee’s current county M&O rate is 5.153 mils and walked the board and public through digest growth, exemptions and the county’s 0.5‑life reserve strategy. He noted planned use of reserves of about $9.2 million in the draft $191.5 million budget and discussed tradeoffs among adopting the advertised rate, a rollback rate, or a 0.5‑life option.
Residents and county employees used the public‑comment portion to press the board on restoring a proposed cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) and on budget transparency. Julie West, a Clerk of Courts employee, asked the board to “put the people who keep this county running at the center of your budget decisions” and urged the commission to consider a COLA to retain experienced staff.
Commissioners said they will continue the process with additional hearings on Aug. 4 (midday and evening) before finalizing rates, and they asked staff for follow‑up details on revenue sources, reserve projections and alternatives to relying on planned reserve use.
