The Chatham County Board of Commissioners on Thursday approved fiscal-year 2025 budget amendments and transfers that shift $12.5 million from the general fund into the county's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) fund and allocate funds to multiple capital projects and grants.

Under the approved amendments, the general fund will appropriate $12.5 million and the CIP fund will record an increased transfer in from the general fund of the same amount. The board also established or increased CIP project budgets, including: $4 million for the Highway 17 safety/community center facilities project, $5 million to establish a gymnasium project, and $3.5 million to increase CIP contingency for fiscal year 2026.

The board also approved smaller grant revenue and expenditure increases: $5,000 for the Rodney Roderick Fund; $5,000 for an Annie E. Casey Foundation grant; and $88,211 for a Georgia Department of Family and Children Services Family Resource Center grant. A $235,000 transfer from the CIP fund to the Special Service District Fund was approved to increase public-works operating budget support there.

County staff presented the items together as part of the action calendar; a commissioner moved, a second was recorded, and the board voted to approve the package.

Why it matters: The transfer and project allocations fund a mix of facility improvements and contingency reserves intended to advance capital priorities for the county and allow continuation of planned projects in the CIP. Staff said the actions reflect routine reallocation and project establishment within the county's capital planning process.

Ending: Commissioners asked for briefings on select CIP uses and were told additional information on the funded projects will be available through staff reports and future agenda items.