Sumter County Council advances $5 million bond and opens budget first reading with $1.2M shortfall

Sumter County Council on May 13 granted first reading to an ordinance authorizing general obligation bonds and to the county’s budget ordinance for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.

County Administrator Gary Mixon told the council that a capital bond issuance was proposed as part of the budget process. He said he initially listed projects totaling $7,759,564.00 but, after conferring with the county attorney, clarified the amount presented for first reading as $5,000,000. Councilman Charles T. Edens moved to approve Ordinance #25-1026 on first reading; the motion passed unanimously.

Mixon also presented the budget ordinance (Ordinance #25-1027) by title for first reading, reporting projected revenues of $64,146,647.00 and expenditures of $65,362,278.00, for an initial deficit of $1,215,631.00. Mixon described those figures as preliminary and said staff will continue workshops and revisions before second reading, when a detailed list of funded projects will be provided. Councilman Artie Baker moved to grant first reading of the budget ordinance, with Councilman Charles T. Edens seconding; the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: first readings set the procedural path for bond sales and the annual budget but do not authorize final spending. County officials said more detailed project lists and budget revisions will be presented at subsequent meetings and workshops before final adoption.

Next steps: both ordinances will return to Council for further consideration at second reading, at which point Councilors are expected to see the list of proposed capital projects and any adjustments to close the reported deficit.