DARLINGTON, S.C. – The Darlington County Council gave preliminary approval to a proposed general fund budget of nearly $21.4 million for 2017-2018.
Council members approved the budget ordinance on second reading by a vote of 7-0. One member, David Coker, was not present.
The third and final reading tentatively is set for the June 1 regular monthly meeting.
The ordinance covers a series of 11 budgets totaling almost $35.6 million
This year’s allowable property tax increase for the general fund is 1.26 percent based on the published Consumer Price Index (CPI) for local jurisdictions from the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. That is expected to generate approximately $260,000 in new revenue, Interim County Administrator Charles Stewart said at an April 4 budget work session.
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As presented, the budget is balanced, Stewart said. But it relies on the tax increase and two new fees that are proposed: an emergency services vehicle fee of $15 per vehicle in the county and an emergency services residential fee of $20 per property. The two fees will help fund an emergency services fund budget.
Members also approved an ordinance implementing the two fees on the second reading Monday without opposition. The third reading on that measure also is expected in June.
Among other changes for the coming year, the new budget splits out the airport and Emergency Medical Services departments from the general fund, Stewart wrote in his annual budget message to council members presented on April 4. That action is based on recommendations from external auditors for accounting reasons, Stewart wrote.
The addition of the two new fees will generate new revenue and balance the Emergency Services Fund and avoid the need to transfer money out of the general fund to do so, Stewart wrote. That will leave money in the general fund to help meet the county’s other financial needs.
Among cost increases the county is expecting is a 2 percent increase in the employer contribution for state retirement for the coming year and a 1 percent increase per year for the following five years, Stewart wrote.
The budget also includes a 2.5 percent cost-of-living increase for employees.
The budget also includes an increase in contingency for budget and fund balance stabilization.
Also included is funding for two correctional officer positions that were approved in August 2016 but had not been budgeted as well as money for one additional correctional officer to make acceptable progress with the South Carolina Department of Corrections on the Prison Rape Elimination Act compliance.
Officials also anticipate a decrease in magistrate fines and a decrease in revenue for housing federal inmates.
Other budgets covered in the ordinance include the emergency telephone fund, $829,160; county library fund, $1,382,092; environmental services fund, $3,278,070; fire district fund, $1,975,233; emergency services fund, $3,866,456; airport fund, $482,335; state accommodations fund, $55,525; road maintenance fund, $1,675,000; Hartsville Fire Protection District, $475,000 and a hospitality tax fund of $225,000.