Gray Court approves bigger budget for 2026-27

The Gray Court Town Council passed its budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year at a special called meeting Monday night at Town Hall.

The $1,234,000 budget is a $345,000 increase from the previous fiscal year’s budget of $899,000, but does not include a tax increase due to increased revenues in the town.

The 2026-27 budget includes 5-10% pay increases for town employees and includes a nearly 50% increase in public safety funding.

Previously, the town’s public safety budget of $29,736 paid for one dedicated Laurens County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

A release from the town said the increase ensures “adequate law enforcement coverage as the town experiences continued growth and increased service demands.”

The budget also includes $150,000 for capital investments and $139,500 for the town’s contingency fund.