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Edgefield County leaders agree to move EMS funding plan into upcoming budget after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing and extended discussion, Edgefield County Council directed the administrator to include an EMS funding package in the proposed fiscal-year budget for review, while exploring a mix of general-fund support, targeted millage, impact fees and outside grants.
Edgefield County Council on Jan. 7 directed the county administrator to include a multi-part plan to address emergency medical services (EMS) operations, ambulances, equipment and facility needs in the county’s proposed budget for fiscal 2025–26, after a public hearing and extended council discussion.
The move gives council time to examine funding options — including using general-fund reserves, a dedicated millage for capital, impact fees and requests to state legislators — before any final tax or millage change is proposed. Council members said the budget process, beginning in March, is the appropriate forum to refine costs and possible revenue sources.
Judge Gary Hitt, a resident who spoke at the public hearing, urged full funding for EMS, citing service volume and local responsibilities. “Every county has to have three things. They have to have an EMS, a fire department, and law enforcement,” Hitt said, and added that EMS had “over 3,800 calls for service”…
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