From staff reports
The County Council was presented and passed on first reading of the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Ordinance Monday night, May 23. Council approved the $142.1 million budget with a vote of 9 in favor with 2 members not present.
The Second Reading and public hearing of the FY23 Budget Ordinance will occur at the June 13 Council Meeting. The Final Reading will be at the June 27 Council Meeting held at the Hilton Head Library.
The proposed Budget can be found at https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/budget/.
This summer, the County is launching for the first time an interactive digital budget book that will allow taxpayers to easily review department budgets.
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 led to a $6.2 million budget increase.
$438,400 for the Coroner’s Office to start-up and staff the Autopsy Suite, which 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; and $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; and $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
4 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 Recreation Center 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.
