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 positions (one in the sheriff’s office and one in recreation) and funding to eventually add eight full‑time EMS positions and build a new EMS headquarters and emergency operations center.

Caddell told the council the EMS special revenue fund had been in deficit earlier in the year (about $162,000 in February) and that the budget assumes a combined millage increase of 16.25 mills: 12.5 mills to the EMS special revenue fund for operations and 3.75 mills to debt service to pay for construction of a third station and related capital. Caddell said the county is seeking alternative grant sources to offset some debt‑service needs but must prepare in case grant funding does not materialize.

Council members questioned timing and distribution of services. Councilman Moody said the 16.25‑mill figure was large and traced the need partially to prior under‑planning amid fast residential growth; he asked whether the new EMS headquarters would be sited near the industrial park. Administrator Caddell said the council’s facility study recommends locating the new station near the industrial park area, possibly close to Generac, but no parcel has been selected.

Caddell and other officials explained revenue timing: vehicle and property tax revenues tied to millage changes generally begin flowing later in the fiscal year (most vehicle revenues show up December–February), so new staffing and equipment purchases may phase in over months. Caddell said the council could begin by adding daytime ambulance coverage while planning full 24‑hour crews once facilities and hiring are in place.

The council also discussed fee‑in‑lieu agreements (FILO). Caddell said existing FILO contracts remain locked at the millage rate in effect when each agreement was signed; new agreements would lock in at the then‑current millage rate.

The ordinance passed first reading unanimously. The council scheduled further consideration under the standard second and third readings process, during which staff may bring technical amendments if state or federal funding changes.

Proposed changes of note in departmental budgets include: a $20,000 internship program, modest increases in training/travel budgets countywide, a desk officer request for the new law enforcement center, and continued funding for firefighter training (reduced from $25,000 to $10,000 to reflect recent spending). The county also proposes a 12.5‑mill EMS operations increase to add ambulance capacity and a 3.75‑mill debt‑service increase for station construction, while automotive replacement will use separate settlement funds to minimize immediate general‑fund pressure.

The council expects more detailed line‑item discussion and potential adjustments at second reading. If approved as proposed, the budget will proceed to additional readings and final adoption per the council’s legislative schedule.