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Fire chiefs present FY26 budgets; county leaders flag recruitment and pay shortfalls
Summary
Multiple Beaufort County fire districts presented fiscal 2026 budgets that largely held millage steady while asking for targeted salary increases; chiefs and the committee discussed regional pay gaps, high turnover and a multi‑year plan to catch up wages.
Chiefs from Saint Helena, Bluffton Township, Burton, Shell Point and other rural fire districts presented their proposed FY26 budgets and described personnel, capital and equipment needs. Several districts proposed flat millage rates while highlighting requests for pay adjustments to retain firefighters.
Saint Helena Fire District Chief Steve Klein said his district proposed no millage increase and planned a flat $3,000 per‑employee adjustment that he said…
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