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Kershaw County council approves budget on second reading after amendments cutting proposed millage increase
Summary
Council passed second reading of the FY 2025–26 budget after amendments that reduced the proposed millage hike and adjusted proposed fee increases and capital transfers; the measure moves to third reading with further opportunities for amendments.
Kershaw County Council on Tuesday approved the county's fiscal 2025–26 budget on second reading after adopting two amendments that reduced proposed new revenue from property tax and shifted some service-fee increases.
Council applied the Cato amendment, which reduced the planned general millage increase from four mills to 3.5 mills and reallocated 0.5 mills to solid waste, and modified proposed solid-waste and fire fees downward. The amendment passed 6–1. A second amendment from Councilman Tory Tucker moved $547,762 from a fire reserve into fire operations to buy two available fire apparatus; that transfer passed unanimously. The combined changes reduced some fee burdens while preserving planned additions to fire staffing and service.
Budget debate was extensive: council members and staff discussed delinquent-tax collection assumptions, vehicle and watercraft tax estimates, and rising costs for data and software contracts across departments. Several council members also questioned increases in legal and data-processing budgets and sought clarification; staff pointed to increases in insurance and federally mandated IT security needs as major drivers.
Councilman Danny Cato said the 3.5-mill compromise would use local option sales-tax reimbursements to avoid net cost to taxpayers while preserving funds for solid-waste operations and public safety. Councilman Russell Bridal proposed, and failed to pass, an additional amendment to reduce attorney-fee budget increases by $145,000; that motion failed.
Councilmembers said they will continue to refine line items before the final vote on third reading. Staff reminded council that certain federal ARPA funds earmarked for the comprehensive plan and ZLDR work must be spent by October 2026, putting pressure on the planning timeline.
The budget, as amended, now moves to third reading (scheduled June 17), where council will consider any final adjustments before adoption.
