Lexington County releases $395.8M requested budget; administrator reports $90.5M shortfall

Lexington County officials on March 24 presented the county’s requested FY2026–27 budget and the annual comprehensive financial report, laying out a budget gap that county leaders said will shape the spring budget process.

County Administrator (name not specified) told council the total requested appropriation from departments is $395,799,747, with $262,652,196 sought from the general fund and $133,147,551 from non‑general funds. “We are short 90,549,505,” the administrator said, referring to the difference between requested appropriations and estimated revenues of $305,250,242. The administrator said the recommended (balanced) budget will be presented April 28, with department work sessions and a public hearing scheduled for May 26 and final reading planned for June 23.

The administrator also reviewed the county’s transportation outreach tied to the Lexington County Transportation Improvement Plan, encouraging public input via an online survey open through April 17 and a series of open houses in late March and April.

Earlier in the meeting, an external auditor presented the annual comprehensive financial report for fiscal 2025 and expressed a clean opinion on the county’s financial statements. The presenter said users of the financial statements “can rely on them and that they are correct in all material respects,” and noted the county’s internal control processes appear to be functioning as intended. The auditor highlighted that total bonded indebtedness stood at about $6.1 million and said that, if no new debt is incurred, the county could be debt-free by fiscal year 2028.

Officials flagged new program requests and added spending sought by departments: the administrator said departments requested 86 new general‑fund programs totaling $19,481,843 and 19 non‑general‑fund programs totaling $1,052,830, for 105 new program requests totaling $20,534,673. The administrator noted the final recommended budget must be balanced and will reflect subsequent work sessions with departments.

What’s next: the county will publish the recommended budget April 28, conduct department presentations and public hearings in May, and hold the second and final readings in June. Council members and staff signaled multiple upcoming work sessions to reconcile requests and revenue estimates before formal adoption.