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Kershaw County adopts FY2026–27 budget with boost for EMS and a trio of amendments
Summary
After a finance committee amendment that added a probate revenue‑neutral item, A‑tax allocations and grants flexibility, council unanimously adopted the FY2026–27 budget; staff said EMS receives the largest departmental increase and presented a phased plan to expand coverage.
Kershaw County Council unanimously adopted the fiscal year 2026–27 budget on June 23 after a slate of amendments recommended by the finance committee.
The amendment package — approved before the final vote — (1) set aside revenue‑neutral authority for the probate judge to support mental‑health services (staff to draft an MOU for council approval), (2) approved $175,563 in A‑tax (tourism) recommendations from the A‑tax committee, and (3) authorized a grants amendment to allow the county to accept and match eligible grants with council approval for individual awards.
EMS was a central topic in public comment and council discussion. Resident Lee Reed told council the proposed preliminary budget "excludes any funding for EMS ambulatory or even QRV coverage stationed in our area," urging prompt action for Liberty Hill and other underserved zones. EMS Director Will Glover and staff described a phased approach: standing up additional FTEs and units over multiple years, a roaming QRV pilot that has logged about 300 hours in rural zones, a $300,000 capital allotment in FY27 for land or renovations to support future stations (northern Camden/Bearin[g] the Cab area), and training programs to recruit and promote EMTs and paramedics internally.
County staff summarized that reassessment increased revenues by roughly $3 million overall and that EMS received the largest single departmental increase — approximately $1.1 million — which county leaders directed primarily to staffing and capital items to improve rural coverage. Councilmembers said they expect periodic updates from staff on implementation; the finance committee will draft the probate MOU and return it for council approval.
