Looking ahead: our budget, our mission, and our commitment to you
As we enter the 2027 budget season, our focus remains clear: sustain operational excellence, protect revenue continuity, and ensure long-term organizational stability.
Personnel expenses represent the largest portion of this office’s operating budget — and they are the only category for which an increase is being requested in Fiscal Year 2027. This request is targeted, data-driven, and directly tied to measurable workload growth, system modernization, and continued service performance.
For us, success means staying true to our vision, mission and core values, and we’re proud to share the results of another outstanding year of service.
Operational Performance: A High-Return Office
Customer satisfaction improved to 96.3%.
Billing volume increased 5.6% in the past year, continuing a multi-year growth trend.
$35 million in investment earnings generated — twelve times the office’s operating budget.
88,000+ calls handled.
70,000 emails, chats, and texts processed.
Collection rate exceeded 99%.
These outcomes were achieved while relying on approximately 1,100 overtime hours annually from hourly staff, in addition to overtime absorbed by salaried employees.
Why Personnel is the Priority
For several consecutive budget cycles, personnel-related requests have been constrained. While we have successfully operated within those limits, the practical effects have included:
Limited ability to establish a sustainable overtime structure
Increased strain during peak seasons
Challenges in retention and compensation alignment
Growing mismatch between workload demands and staffing levels
Because personnel directly drives service delivery and revenue stability, investment in our team is not discretionary — it is foundational.
Preparing for a Major System Implementation
Beginning in Q3 2026, the County will transition to Harris Govern, with implementation continuing through FY2028. The vendor has recommended dedicating the equivalent of 1.85 full-time employees within the Treasurer’s Office to support data validation, workflow alignment, and internal coordination.
This transition will coincide with our busiest season, a countywide reassessment year in 2027, and continued growth in billing volume — creating measurable operational risk if not properly staffed.
Want the full breakdown? Click here to download a line by line breakout plan.
Now’s a great time to get involved and engage with us and your Beaufort County Council representatives, the governing body responsible for approving our budget. They can be reached via email at #Council@bcgov.net.
If you’d like to read Treasurer Walls’ letter to Beaufort County Council, check it out here.
