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Edgefield County advances $18.5 million budget in first reading; approves motor grader purchase and opioid settlement
Summary
On April 14, 2026, the Edgefield County Council gave first reading to the FY 2026–27 $18,549,177 operating budget that funds employee cost-of-living and step increases, and unanimously approved a motor grader purchase and an opioid-settlement allocation. Council also approved a tree-preservation ordinance on third reading.
Edgefield County Council on April 14, 2026, gave first reading to the county's fiscal year 2026'27 operating budget and approved several related purchases and resolutions in unanimous votes.
The budget ordinance introduced by Administrator David Caddell sets the general-fund operating budget at $18,549,177 and designates $844,092 from audited reserves (unrestricted reserves reported as $7,377,489 as of June 30, 2025), leaving roughly $6.53 million in reserves, Caddell said. "With this budget, the county will meet the ongoing needs of the citizens while ensuring fiscal stability," Caddell said.
Why it matters: the ordinance includes personnel provisions intended to help the county retain staff amid regional competition and rising costs. Caddell told the council the plan includes a minimum 2.5% cost-of-living increase for employees, an average 0.5% merit pool, and a…
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