Sumter County Council approves $3.5M bond package and adopts budget with 2.0 mill increase; easement granted

Sumter County Council approved three ordinances on second reading at its May 23 regular meeting, advancing a package of capital and operating decisions for the coming fiscal year.

The council granted second‑reading approval for Ordinance 23‑988 to authorize up to $3,500,000 in general obligation bonds to fund capital needs across multiple departments. County Administrator Gary Mixon presented a department request and recommendation summary showing total department requests of about $7.74 million and recommended allocations of roughly $4.17 million; the ordinance authorizes a $3.5 million bond issue with other identified revenue sources (Road User Fund, Solicitor Fund, Title IVD) expected to cover additional recommended needs. Bond counsel Frannie Heizer explained the county’s constraints under South Carolina’s Act 388 and noted the county’s bond rating will depend on market conditions at sale.

The council then adopted the FY2023–24 budget ordinance (Ordinance 23‑987). Mixon told council staff presented a balanced budget proposal with projected revenues of $59,512,534 and expenditures of $60,171,706, leaving a $659,172 shortfall that the recommended 2.0 mill increase (to be offset by the Local Option Sales Tax credit) and use of fund balance would cover. The budget includes a 3.7% increase in health insurance costs, a 1% retirement increase, a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for county employees, and a targeted raise for employees earning less than $25,000 annually. The proposal also lists solid‑waste tipping fee increases and a change in the fee‑in‑lieu rate from 3% to 5% (estimated additional revenue $158,800).

On the budget vote, Councilman Artie Baker moved approval and Councilmember Vivian Fleming McGhaney seconded. The ordinance passed, with two council members — Vice Chairman James R. Byrd, Jr. and Councilman Charles T. Edens — recording nay votes; council did not take additional amendments or alter the millage at the meeting. Edens said his opposition reflected hopes staff could find additional revenue or reduce expenses to avoid a mill increase.

Council also approved Ordinance 23‑986, granting a permanent and temporary storm water drainage easement to landowner Justin David Gause across a county parcel (tax parcel 201‑00‑04‑016) to address a local drainage problem. County Attorney Johnathan Bryan described the easement and stated county staff found it would assist drainage and not interfere with public purposes; the measure passed on second reading unanimously.

Procedural motions to approve the meeting agenda and the May 9 minutes passed unanimously earlier in the meeting. The council approved a proclamation declaring June 2023 as Vitiligo Awareness Month and directed the chairman and clerk to execute the proclamation.

What happens next: Ordinance 23‑988 and Ordinance 23‑986 took second‑reading approval at this meeting; the bond sale timeline and final bond pricing were left to the administrator and bond counsel to complete. The budget ordinance will take effect as authorized by county procedures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023.