Beaufort County CFO: mill-value numbers pending as administration builds merit and COLA into FY27 budget

Beaufort County’s chief financial officer, Pinky Harriet, told the council at a budget workshop that the administration has entered personnel numbers and completed CIP reviews but is waiting for property-assessment mill values that will determine the budget’s tax impact. Harriet said the county is working to include an anniversary‑based merit program, a step pay plan already implemented Jan. 1, retiree gap insurance and a 1% cost‑of‑living adjustment in the FY27 plan while aiming to keep the county “mill neutral.”

Harriet said staff received real and personal property assessments during the week of the workshop and are “working on mill value calculations,” which she expects to have before the April 20 finance committee meeting. The delay means the administration cannot yet present final figures showing how the proposed pay and benefits changes will affect the property tax rate. She also said administration is adjusting the county’s self‑insurance fund to absorb some personnel costs.

Council members pressed Harriet on the specifics of prior decisions that will shape the budget: the council had asked administration last fall to implement a step/merit pay plan and to account for COLA and retiree gap insurance in future budgets. Harriet confirmed step increases took effect Jan. 1 and that merit increases are assumed at 2% while the COLA assumption is 1%, chosen to be roughly in line with current CPI trends; she said the county is attempting to remain “close” to neighboring municipalities and the school district on overall pay practice.

Harriet emphasized that the mill‑value calculation remains the single largest outstanding variable and that once it is complete staff will present the impact of the personnel and program decisions. She said the administration will return with recommendations to keep the proposed spending within the council’s direction to avoid raising the millage without explicit approval. The finance team plans to present final budget recommendations to council after they complete their review and the mill assessments are processed.

The workshop concluded with staff noting outstanding requests and a promise of follow-up materials; Harriet said the administration will circulate a short list of items requested from presenters and continue work toward a mill‑neutral budget recommendation.