Sumter County Council adopts $60.4 million budget and raises sheriff starting pay
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Summary
Sumter County Council on June 13 adopted a $60,422,521 fiscal year 2023–24 budget that includes up to $250,000 from fund balance to increase the sheriff’s starting salary from $42,000 to $45,000; the measure passed unanimously.
Sumter County Council unanimously adopted the fiscal year 2023–24 budget totaling $60,422,521 at its June 13 meeting, approving a fund-balance adjustment to raise starting pay in the Sheriff’s Department.
County Administrator Gary Mixon presented the budget at third reading, saying a change approved earlier in a budget workshop would increase available fund balance by up to $250,000 (from $657,745 to $907,745) to enable the Sheriff’s Department to raise starting salaries for deputies from $42,000 to $45,000 to better align with the City of Sumter’s police pay scale.
The budget ordinance (Ordinance #23-987) passed on a unanimous vote after Councilman Vivian Fleming McGhaney made the motion and Councilman Charles T. Edens seconded. The ordinance directs county tax revenues and other funds for county operations and related expenditures for the coming fiscal year.
Why it matters: Council members said the adjustment is intended to help recruitment and retention for the Sheriff’s Department by narrowing a pay disparity with city police. The budget’s passage authorizes county spending and positions the county to implement the approved pay change beginning with the fiscal year that starts July 1, 2023.
What’s next: The Administrator said staff will work with the Sheriff and Human Resources to implement the starting-salary increase. Council did not record any dissenting votes; the meeting record shows the measure passed unanimously.