Hi folks, here’s our Landrum City Council Special Budget Meeting Recap:
Council authorized the Interim City Administrator to conduct financial business via resolution. This is a standard action taken any time a new Administrator is appointed.
Interim City Administrator Sauve led a budget discussion for Fiscal Year 27 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). Highlights included:
🔹 A Strategic Moment for Landrum
Our community continues to grow—new homes, new businesses, and major planning initiatives are underway. This budget is about aligning resources with that momentum while making disciplined, forward-looking decisions.
🔹 Key Financial Reality
While revenues remain stable and growing modestly, expenditures are increasing at a faster rate. That means this year’s budget requires careful prioritization, sequencing, and aggressive pursuit of grant funding to close the gap.
🔹 Top Priorities Identified by Council
• Public Safety First – Police staffing, equipment, and technology remain the #1 priority. We are actively pursuing federal grant funding to offset costs.
• Investing in People – A citywide Classification & Compensation Study is underway to ensure competitive and equitable pay.
• Strengthening Operations – The addition of a Deputy City Administrator/Planner through reclassification of an Assistant Clerk position expands internal capacity to support growth and reduce reliance on outside consultants.
• Infrastructure & Public Works – Equipment needs including a dump truck and excavator are essential to maintain streets, drainage, and right-of-way services.
• Cybersecurity & IT Modernization – Moving toward managed IT services to protect city systems and improve efficiency.
🔹 Growth Creates Opportunity
Continued residential and commercial growth is strengthening the tax base. At the same time, the City is actively pursuing grants (federal, state, and regional) to fund key initiatives without placing additional burden on taxpayers.
🔹 No Tax Increase Proposed
The current budget framework does not assume a tax increase, though Council will continue evaluating all tools available.
🔹 What Comes Next
• Budget draft presented: June 9
• Public hearing & first reading: June 9
• Final adoption: June 24
This process is about more than balancing numbers—it’s about setting priorities that reflect Landrum’s future.
We appreciate Council’s thoughtful engagement and the public’s continued interest as we work toward a responsible, strategic FY2027 budget.
-JJ Sauve, Interim City Administrator
-Tricia Taber, Public Relations/Marketing Director
📄 Full FY27 Budget workshop materials can be found at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bDklr93ylewXpnTebz1q1KXLbE6Okkby?usp=sharing
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