Berkeley County Council adopts $155 million FY26 budget; approves fee increases, 51 new positions

Berkeley County Council voted on May 12 to adopt the fiscal year 2025–26 budget and related ordinances after a presentation by county staff and brief council discussion.

County officials said the proposed general fund budget rises from $138,000,000 this year to about $155,000,000 for FY26, and projected countywide revenues of $146,000,000 next year compared with $144,000,000 for the current year. Presenters reported a current projected positive delta of $3,500,000 and said $9,000,000 is programmed for a specific list of capital projects included in the packet. The finance committee and council approved bill number 25-30 (the county appropriations ordinance) and a set of companion ordinances by voice vote.

The budget presentation included personnel and rate changes. The supervisors’ recommended budget includes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) effective July 1 and a 3% merit increase effective Jan. 1; staff said merit increases are tied to performance evaluations. The county reported 51 new positions in the FY26 proposal (33 in the general…