Colleton County councilmembers held their second budget workshop for the upcoming 2026 Fiscal Year on Tuesday, April 15th.
Colleton County Council Chairman Scott Biering chaired the meeting to prepare the General fund budget. The county presented a $33,692,377 general Fund Budget in 2024 and has seen the county population grow over the past years with more residents moving to the county and an influx of businesses moving to the area.
The Colleton County School District presented their budget presentation. Superintendent Jessica Williams presented with a number of district administration, staff, teachers and Board Members in attendance. The district currently has 4,436 students enrolled and employees 822 employees.
The districts proposed budget for 2025-2026 will have a starting salary of $48,500 and includes a $1,500 increase in each category of the statewide minimum teacher’s salary scale. A 2% increase is being looked at for the bus drivers and classified employees. This budget will group the teachers’ salaries into four categories based on the level of academic achievement. The budget did not include administrative, and board salaries raises.
The district is asking for a 9.77 millage in the 2026 budget to balance its proposed budget with 88% of its budget to go toward salary and benefits and 11% of the budget paying for utilities, district insurance, and operations. Colleton County School District is one of 20 in the state that does not have the fiscal authority to adjust the millage rate.
No action can be taken at a budget workshop and is one of a number of meetings Budget. The Colleton County budget needs to be finalized by the end of June.
