From staff reports
The County Council passed on third reading the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Ordinance Monday night. Council approved the $142.1 million budget. It passed unanimously.
“This budget is fiscally responsible yet provides quality services that our citizens expect in order to live, work and play within our county,” County Council Chairman Joe Passiment said in a media release. “I thank the County staff for their hard work and dedication to get a well-thought-out budget in front of Council.”
The proposed budget can be found at https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/budget/. This summer, the County is launching an interactive digital budget book for the first time that will allow taxpayers to review department budgets quickly.
Budget highlights include:
Froze total millage rate but did reallocate mils in the property tax formula between operating and capital to maintain facilities better. Any increase in tax payments would be due to an increase in property assessment values.
7% increase in tax revenue from population growth leads to a $6.2 million budget increase.
$438,400 for the Coroner’s Office to start-up and staff the Autopsy Suite will save county taxpayers $42,525 a year.
$1.7M in new County Positions highlights include: $105,840 for Deputy Human Resources Director to assist with recruiting and personnel management.
$701,906 for Parks and Recreation employees to run the 60 and Better program and expand services
$1.5M for New Vehicle and Equipment highlights include:
$913,480 for new Emergency Medical Services equipment and vehicles.
$377,000 for new Parks and Recreation vehicles and buses to support activities.
$12M to finish the following the FY2022 Capital Improvement Projects.
ADA Modification Upgrades to BC facilities.
EMS Headquarters – Planning & Design.
Four Public Works Pole Barns.
Public Works Building – Planning & Design.
Parks & Recreation Improvements.
Capital Equipment & Vehicles for Departments.
Mosquito Control Equipment Shed & Landing Gear.
Public Works Fuel Truck.
Garage Bay Door Replacement.
Generator Installation at Buckwalter for Natural Disasters.
To watch a replay of this meeting or to watch all programming, find The County Channel on Comcast Ch. 2, Hargray Chs. 9 and 113, and Spectrum Ch. 1304. Viewers can also watch programming live and on-demand at The County Channel’s website at https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/the-county-channel/ or https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCountyChannel.
