Edgefield County reviews draft budget and discusses 16.25-mill EMS proposal

Edgefield County Council convened a budget workshop on March 11, 2025, to review the administrator’s draft fiscal-year budget that proposes a 3.5% cost-of-living increase for employees and a 16.25-mill package to shore up Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operations and pay for construction debt service.

Administrator David Goodell walked the council through the memo and highlighted personnel and benefit changes aimed at retention: “We have included a minimum 3.5% cost of living increase in this year's budget,” he said, describing a package that also includes a 0.5% average merit pool (range 0–1% based on evaluations), a 2.5% annual step for employees below pay-band midpoint (to reach midpoint in eight years), continuation of individual health insurance premium coverage, and a 401(k) employer match that would not exceed $1,200 per participating employee.

The nut of the discussion centered on EMS funding. The draft would raise the EMS special revenue fund by 12.5 mills for operations and add 3.75 mills to debt service to finance a new EMS headquarters and renovation of a substation. That brings the total proposed millage increase tied to EMS to 16.25 mills. The administrator said the EMS fund has been negative in recent years and estimated the special revenue fund was “currently negative by $78,000.” The proposal funds a phased expansion that would add eight full-time EMS employees to support a fourth 24-hour ambulance and a new headquarters; the county would phase staffing and equipment purchases over time.

Gary, the county’s EMS director, described a staged approach if the millage is approved: shift a quick-response vehicle (QRV) to 24-hour coverage, then transition to a 12-hour ambulance and, ultimately, a 24-hour ambulance and staffed station. He said new ambulances remain on long industry lead times — units ordered in 2022 are still in production — and that equipment purchases should be quicker once funding is available. “The main priority is that we wanna get out of the hole, get back to 0, and be a sustainable department,” he said, adding the county plans to recruit and train local EMTs through partnerships with area schools and regional training programs.

Sheriff (name not specified) urged the council to prioritize a school-resource-officer (SRO) supervisor and a court security desk officer. The sheriff said the county has 10 SROs and that a supervisor is the department’s top priority: “my priority is the SRO supervisor,” he said. Goodell said the county is in discussions with the Edgefield County School District about cost-sharing for four SRO positions and a lieutenant; the proposed budget assumes a 50% school contribution for one position but that arrangement remains subject to the district’s decision.

Other department highlights and budget notes included: - General fund operating budget: $16,973,794; audited unrestricted reserves as of 06/30/2024: $7,698,698. The draft would designate $713,859 from reserves, leaving an estimated $6,984,839 (about 4.9 months of unrestricted reserves). The council’s ordinance requires at least four months of reserves. - Employee benefits: continuation of employer-paid individual health premiums (insurer increase estimated at 7.5% though final rates were not yet available) and continuation of a 50% employer match of employee 401(k) contributions up to $1,200. Group insurance line projected to rise from $1,123,750 to approximately $1,300,000, chiefly for two additional employees and a premium increase. - Positions and capital: two new full-time general-fund positions and budgeting for eventual hire of eight EMS positions (to be phased). Funding was proposed for a new EMS headquarters that would also house emergency management and the Emergency Operations Center. - Public safety and community programs: requests supported for a Clerk of Court archive print/reprint budget ($4,000) and $15,000 for family court safety modifications; coroner assistant pay increases; modest increases for veterans and training in several departments; $20,000 proposed for internships (five in fall, five in spring) to partner with local high schools; continued $90,000 annual payment to Piedmont Technical College (the college requested $232,869). - Special funds and grants: the opioid settlement will be maintained as a standalone budget line; the county applied for $245,500 from guaranteed settlement funds and would adjust the worksheet if awarded. The administrator also noted automotive equipment would be funded from remaining capital funds to reduce general-fund burden. - Solid waste: Tri County Solid Waste Authority payments rose from $819,000 to $851,700 in carried-forward numbers; county staff warned the solid-waste fund is only approaching break-even and that a fee increase may be required in two to three years because of low recycling revenues and equipment costs. - Victims’ Bill of Rights Fund: the county plans to transfer $62,342 from the general fund to the Victims Bill of Rights Fund to support a sheriff’s office victim-assistance position after fines/forfeitures proved insufficient.

Council members and department heads asked clarifying questions throughout the workshop. Several council members said they prefer funding EMS operations and staffing first and seek grant or sales-tax options to offset building costs where possible. Administrator Goodell cautioned against relying on uncertain outside funding; he said if outside funds arrive later the council could reduce millage before it takes effect. The council set a first reading of the budget for April 15 and noted a public hearing will occur at second reading.

Votes at a glance: the only formal vote recorded at the end of the workshop was a procedural motion to adjourn. Councilmember Moody moved to adjourn, and Albert Talbert seconded; the chair called the motion passed unanimously by a show of hands. No formal vote was taken on the budget itself during the workshop.