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Chester County Council approves FY2026–27 budget, advances countywide 1% sales-tax referendum
Summary
At its May 18 meeting, Chester County Council approved the fiscal year 2026–27 operating and capital budget and advanced a countywide 1% sales-and-use tax in a first reading that would be subject to a public referendum and could support up to $33.53 million in bonds.
Chester County Council on May 18 approved the fiscal year 2026–27 operating and capital budget and advanced a proposal for a countywide one-percent sales-and-use tax that would go to voters in a referendum.
Vice Chairwoman Erin Mosley moved to approve the budget ordinance on its second reading; Councilman Bobby Raines seconded the motion and the measure passed 5-0. The budget ordinance establishes operating and capital appropriations for county government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and authorizes borrowing in anticipation of taxes and other related fiscal provisions.
Council also approved the first reading of Ordinance 2026-11, a proposal to levy a one-percent sales-and-use tax under the CPST Act (South Carolina Code Annotated §4-10-300 et seq.). Councilman Roy Brunson moved to approve the first reading, seconded by Councilman Raines; the motion passed 6-0. The ordinance text submitted to council specifies the projects and priorities for expenditure of the tax proceeds and authorizes the county to issue bonds in an aggregate amount not to exceed $33,530,000 to fund identified capital projects.
In the same series of votes, council approved Resolution 2026-09, which identifies capital projects proposed as part of a general-obligation borrowing program for calendar year 2026; that resolution passed 6-0 on a motion by Councilman Bobby Raines, seconded by Councilman Roy Brunson.
County Administrator Brian Hester provided routine administrative updates in the meeting, including Memorial Day operating schedules for the recycling center and landfills, recognition of the public-works department for Public Works Appreciation Week, an announcement about Citizens Academy enrollment opening in August, and an update on the Rodman Sports Complex and an animal-shelter delivery change.
Votes at a glance: budget (Ordinance 2026-09) — approved on 2nd reading, 5-0; sales-and-use tax referendum authorization (Ordinance 2026-11) — advanced on 1st reading, 6-0 (authorization includes up to $33,530,000 in bonds); Resolution 2026-09 (capital projects) — approved, 6-0. Several related routine items and resolutions were approved on the consent agenda.
The ordinance advancing the sales-tax referendum specifies the scope of projects and the maximum bond authorization; the measure must still proceed through any required legal review and the referendum process before any tax is levied.
