Edgefield County council gives first reading to FY25–26 budget, proposes 16.25‑mill EMS package

Edgefield County Council on April 2025 gave first reading to an ordinance (24‑25‑0007) adopting the fiscal year 2025–26 general operating budget and ancillary budgets, and included a proposed 16.25‑mill package aimed at funding expanded emergency medical services (EMS).

County Administrator David Caddell, who presented the budget memo, described personnel and service priorities and called county employees “our most important asset.” The proposed operating budget is $16,973,794; the council would designate $713,859 from reserves, leaving $6,984,839 in unrestricted reserves (about 4.9 months), above the four‑month minimum required by ordinance.

The budget would fund a minimum 3.5% cost‑of‑living increase for employees, an average 0.5% merit pool, a 2.5% step program for employees below midpoint pay, and continue a 401(k) employer match (not to exceed $1,200 per participating employee). The package also includes two new full‑time county…