Surry Community College asks Surry County for $161,000 increase, $1 million design request for T-building

Dr. Shockley, president of Surry Community College, told the Surry County Board of Commissioners at their April 21 budget work session that the college’s 2026–27 local funding request would increase by roughly $161,000.

“We base our budget on real numbers, increases and decreases,” Dr. Shockley said, walking the board through line items including utilities, salaries and employer fixed charges. He said retirements in law-enforcement positions reduced some salary line items but increased benefits and fixed charges because of state supplement costs for officers who retire before Social Security eligibility.

The college’s operating request moves total current operating budget figures from about $3.275 million to $3.436 million, Dr. Shockley said, and adds roughly $330,000 in capital outlay. Separately, he asked the county to reserve a $250,000 line-item capital fund on the county ledger so the college can build a fund balance for repairs and pay-as-you-go projects.

Dr. Shockley also described a planned T-building remodeling project and asked the board to consider funding design work to begin the project; he said the college is still evaluating a roughly $1 million start for design and early work.

The board accepted the presentation and thanked outgoing CFO Tony Martin, who is retiring in June, and met incoming CFO Emily Hellard, introduced by Dr. Shockley as CFO-elect during the transition.

The college’s request will be considered during the county budget process and compared with other agencies’ asks.