Richland County previews 2026 budget with employee step increases, $8 million radio tower and $300,000 general‑fund draw

Richland County administrators presented the board Sept. 16 with a preliminary 2026 budget that increases pay steps for full‑time employees, funds a major radio tower project and relies on temporary general‑fund support while warning of tighter budgets in 2027.

County leaders said they advanced all eligible full‑time employees one step on the wage scale but did not include a cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) in the draft. The administrator told supervisors, “We did add the addition of a radio tower technician and radio tower operations funding, with the $8,000,000 radio tower project,” and said $147,000 was included in the operating budget for tower maintenance and a new technician post.

The draft budget also proposes creating an HR director position and restructuring administrative oversight into a director of operations plus a second director to focus on day‑to‑day functions. Emergency services would separate emergency management from ambulance operations, and the ambulance unit would get an administrative assistant as a county employee instead of a contractor. Health and Human Services proposed two lead positions in child and youth services and behavioral health.

Administrators said cybersecurity spending increased substantially in the draft. The county had used American Rescue Plan Act funding for some MIS and cybersecurity work in prior years; with that funding exhausted, operating budgets now carry more of the cybersecurity cost.

Officials flagged several other revenue and cost drivers. The draft assumes $750,000 in revenue from Pine Valley and more than $300,000 in general‑fund money to balance the budget. The highway budget rose significantly this year because of a major highway project, and county officials noted that the highway levy has not increased since 2021. "The highway levy has remained the same since 2021," the administrator said. Board members asked about whether the county should cost‑share with townships for road work; staff said wheel‑tax proceeds have been used for county roadways and that a separate county cost‑share policy would require board action.

Administrators said the county conservatively estimates sales‑tax revenue, which they noted brings in more than $1 million a year. Officials warned that using $300,000 of the general fund to balance the 2026 draft is a short‑term choice: "We can get away with this for a year, but we need to be aware that for 2027 the budget's going to be even tighter," the administrator said.

The board received several detailed accounting workbooks and asked staff to produce a more drill‑down friendly budget workbook next year. The board will consider the draft in upcoming meetings and adopt final levy and budget items later in the fall.