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Kershaw County Council adopts 2025–26 budget and millage after amendments; two members oppose
Summary
After debate and two amendments, Kershaw County Council approved the fiscal 2025–26 budget and set the millage on third reading. The council added ATAX allocations and a revenue-neutral millage shift to fund operational needs; two members voted against final passage.
Kershaw County Council approved its fiscal year 2025–26 budget and set the county millage on third reading Tuesday following two amendments and public review.
The council’s action comes after the body approved an ATAX (accommodations tax) funding list recommended by the county’s ATAX committee and adopted an amendment reallocating one mill of the county’s debt millage to the general fund to cover operational items without increasing tax liability. Council members said the millage shift was revenue-neutral for taxpayers because it moved levy authority rather than increasing the overall millage.
Why it matters: The budget vote funds county operations for the next fiscal year and directs money for tourism-related grants, staffing, and capital and operational needs. The council’s changes preserve services the county’s administrators flagged as necessary while keeping the county’s overall tax burden unchanged.
Key details and amendments - ATAX allocations: The ATAX committee recommended funding 19 projects this year from total requests of 22. The committee reported it had $96,847 available to award and did not recommend holding a 10% reserve this cycle. The council adopted the committee’s recommendations into the budget proviso. - Revenue-neutral millage amendment: Councilman Russell Tucker moved—and the council approved—an amendment that shifted one mill from the county debt millage to the general fund millage to cover operational priorities described by staff (personnel and systems needs). Council members said the change did not raise taxes on property owners; it reallocated millage authority between tax designations.
Votes and next steps - Final vote on the budget as amended: yes — Shoemake, Tucker, Connell, Cato, Tomlinson (5); no — Bridal, Jones (2). The budget therefore passed on third reading. - The approved budget now becomes the county’s spending plan for the period beginning July 1, 2025.
What councilors said - Councilman Tucker, explaining his amendment, said it was “neutral revenue neutral to the taxpayers” and that the shift allowed the county to restore operational items cut earlier in the process. - ATAX committee chair Beth Bridal summarized the panel’s recommendations and asked the council to adopt the committee’s awards as presented.
Context and background - The county held a properly noticed public hearing on the millage and budget; no members of the public signed up to speak at that hearing. - The budget passed after three readings; council discussion included funding for tourism grants, county staffing (including an HR generalist), technology for financial reporting, and public safety positions.
Ending The council’s adoption of the 2025–26 budget sets the county’s fiscal priorities for the coming year. Administration will implement approved allocations and bring any necessary implementing documents or contracts back for council action as required.
