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Richland County Council approves first reading of $12 million fire protection bond
Summary
Council approved first reading of an ordinance to issue $12 million in general obligation bonds for fire protection capital, maintenance and equipment; the proposal would be funded by the fire debt millage, increasing the millage from 0.5 to 1.0 and is expected to be a 20-year bond.
Richland County Council on May 19 approved first reading of an ordinance to issue $12 million in general obligation fire protection bonds intended for construction, capital maintenance and equipment for county fire assets.
Administrator Brown told council the request would be funded from the fire debt millage and represents an increase from a half mill to a full mill to support the bond. Staff said the bond would preserve a fund balance within the fire service fund and would be structured over a 20-year term, with payoff roughly projected around 2046.
Councilmembers voted in favor of first reading. Council emphasized this action is a first reading and additional steps and public processes will follow prior to final issuance. A reimbursement resolution was also proposed alongside first reading; staff noted that if later approved the reimbursement resolution could be reconsidered.
Why it matters: Issuing bonds increases long-term county debt and will affect the fire debt millage for the period of the bond. The funds are designated for fire capital and equipment needs that staff said are necessary to address current infrastructure and service gaps.
Next steps: The ordinance will return for subsequent readings and any final bond issuance will follow required legal and administrative steps.
