Southeast Tech reviews proposed $61 million FY2027 budget, including raises and building projects

Southeast Technical Institute board members reviewed a proposed FY2027 budget that totals about $61,000,000 and includes nearly $19 million earmarked for construction and remodeling, the college’s finance presenter said.

“It's a little over $61,000,000 total,” Christine, the presenter of the budget, told the board. She described the operating side as a modest 2.9% increase driven in part by state and federal funds and by an onetime rise in state-funded equipment grants.

Key points in the budget presentation included a proposed 3% across‑the‑board salary increase for all faculty and staff (excluding adjuncts), about $6 million in reimbursable funding tied to the Abner Building expansion, $4.5 million of remaining federal award funds to be spent on that project, and $5 million in private donations expected to support the construction. Christine also noted a $1.5 million reimbursable award earmarked for the Jameson Annex diesel program and $1.3 million of additional one‑time equipment funding.

On the expense side, the presentation listed five new full‑time faculty positions (in diesel for the Jameson Annex, electrical instruction, civil engineering, agribusiness and automation), anticipated increases in medical and dental premiums, and roughly $3.4 million planned for equipment purchases tied to new and expanded facilities. Auxiliary revenues — including bookstore purchases and program subscriptions — were projected to rise, in part because more student subscription fees are now being routed through the bookstore instead of being purchased individually.

Board members asked for clarifications about local funds and how private donations were categorized in the revenue lines; Christine said the $5 million private donation had been recorded under local revenue and that some gifts arrive via the college foundation and are transferred to the college. The presenter also said state PSA funding is expected to increase, adding roughly $11.7 million under the budget assumptions.

The board voted to acknowledge the proposed FY2027 budget and was told a public hearing and formal adoption would follow at a future meeting after required public notice and opportunity for comment.

Next step: the board will hold the required public hearing on the proposed budget at the next scheduled meeting before taking a formal adoption vote.