Pickens County schools report $9.5 million January balance; federal draws remain a month behind

At the Feb. 13 Pickens County Board of Education meeting, Chief Financial Officer Amy Smith presented the district’s January financial report, saying the district had collected roughly 66.63% of its budgeted general fund revenue and expended 44.78% of approved expenditures through January.

Smith told the board that payroll timing for employees who are not on 12‑month contracts keeps year‑to‑date expenditures lower until later in the fiscal year; she said multiple months of those salaries are recorded in June. She also explained that consolidated fund transfers and federal grant reimbursements typically run a month behind because draws must pass through schools and the federal programs office.

Smith reported capital outlay receipts of $883,482.59 for the month and interest income of $762.09. January capital outlay expenditures for the district were $335,535.83, leaving a reported January balance of $9,499,676.88. She said the district expects notification from the Georgia Department of Audits to begin the FY2024 audit soon.

On military millage history, Smith reviewed data back to February 2002, noting the current FY2025 millage of 12.2 is lower than the 14.96 mills reported in February 2002. She cautioned that some figures reflect timing and accounting practices and that a shorter, 10‑year summary is available on request.

No board questions required follow‑up beyond routine recording in the minutes.