West Columbia council gives second reading to FY2026 budget with slight millage cut; approves code updates, rezonings, water-plant chemical contracts and pre-qs

The City of West Columbia City Council unanimously approved several measures during its meeting, including the second reading of the fiscal year 2026 budget ordinance, a supplement to the city code of ordinances, two rezonings, water-plant chemical contracts and the prequalification of contractors for a roadway improvement project. The council then voted unanimously to enter an executive session to discuss pending litigation with the Town of Lexington under South Carolina law.

Presiding official opened the council's unfinished-business agenda with item 8.1, calling for second reading of “an ordinance of the City of West Columbia enacting a budget for the fiscal year beginning July 2025.” The presiding official said, “there is no millage increase associated with this,” and added, “we were able to balance the budget without it. And there's actually a little bit of a millage reduction.” Council members raised no objections, and the ordinance received unanimous…