Sumter County Council approves FY2024–25 budget, $3.5M bond and multiple rezonings; penny sales-tax referendum gets first reading

Sumter County Council on Tuesday approved the county’s fiscal 2024–25 operating budget, granted second‑reading approval to a $3.5 million general obligation bond for capital purchases, and approved two rezoning requests. The council also gave first reading to a proposed one‑percent Capital Project Sales and Use Tax referendum and deferred an ordinance amendment on zoning variances.

Chairman James T. McCain, Jr. called the meeting to order and, after routine approvals of the agenda and minutes, Council heard constituent concerns about Kangaroo Lane; County Administrator Gary Mixon said staff will meet residents and review any new written materials and the item will appear on the June 11 agenda for further consideration.

On the budget, Mixon outlined the process used to prepare the FY2024–25 proposal and said projected revenues were $62,196,306 against proposed expenditures of $62,601,096, a gap the county planned to cover with General Fund balance. During the meeting, Council amended the budget to add $24,960 for a half‑time position in the Veterans Affairs Office; the amendment was approved and included in the final ordinance. After amendments, the adopted budget shows expenditures of $62,626,056 and a planned use of $429,750 from reserve funds. The council granted second reading to Ordinance 24‑1003 on a motion by Vice Chairman James R. Byrd, Jr., seconded by Councilman Charles T. Edens; Councilmen Carlton B. Washington and Eugene R. Baten recorded abstentions.

A separate motion to fund…