Kershaw County Council advances 2025–26 budget after amendments; public urged caution on taxpayer impacts

KAMDEN, S.C. — Kershaw County Council on Tuesday approved second reading of the 2025–26 fiscal year budget after voting through two amendments that reduced a proposed millage increase and authorized a transfer from fire reserves to purchase apparatus.

The amended budget passed on second reading after debate and two successful council amendments. The body voted 5‑2 on the Cato amendment that reduced the proposed general‑fund millage increase from four mills to 3.5 mills and shifted portions of the revenue to specific fees; Councilman Ben Cato sponsored that amendment. The council also approved the “Tucker amendment,” which authorized a $547,762 transfer from the county’s fire reserve to fire operations to buy two fire trucks that staff said are available and priced below expected replacement costs.

How the council amended the budget: - Cato amendment: Councilman Ben Cato proposed and the council adopted an amendment that reduced the county’s proposed general‑fund millage increase from 4.0 mills to 3.5 mills. The motion also adjusted proposed fee changes so the net impact to taxpayers would be…