Council Action Requested:
The County Operating and Capital Budget for fiscal year 2023-2024.
The following are the proposed millage rates:
|
|
Fiscal Year 2023
|
Proposed Third Reading FY2024
|
|
Operating
|
84.30
|
90.90
|
|
Debt
|
9.60
|
6.90
|
|
Court
|
3.60
|
3.90
|
|
Capital
|
4.80
|
5.30
|
|
USCL
|
4.60
|
4.60
|
| Total |
106.9 |
111.60 |
Mil Value:
FY2022-2023: $455,297
FY2022-2023: $480,515
Points to Consider:
Council amended the budget at second reading on June 12. Those items included additional pay changes for public safety departments, an added fee for the Coroner's Office, fund balance project addition for renovation, across the board increase for Solicitor and Public Defender's Offices at 6.5%, transition of a part-time position to full-time for the Coroner's Office, and the addition of two sheriff's deputies and four detention officers, with those six Sheriff's positions being part-year positions, funded for half year salaries in FY24. The proposed millage was raised correspondingly to fund the changes as needed.
The updated recommended budget is balanced and totals $132,914,252 with a 6.6 mil increase in the general fund, a .5 mil increase in the capital improvement fund, a .3 mil increase in the court security fund and a 2.7 mil decrease in debt service.
The overall millage increase is proposed at 4.70 mils.
The budget is presented including the following in the general fund:
- $1.6 million increase for 6.5% across the board increase for all employees
- $290,000 for adjustments to address additional pay concerns in specific departments
- $495,000 for 6 new positions
- Inclusion of a 6.5% pay adjustment for all staff in the Solicitor & Public Defender's Office
- Decrease of building permit revenue projections of $300,000
- Inclusion of the RIA grant match at $1.25 million
- $5,000 increase for external auditor (based on bids received after initial presentation)
- Changes to the fund balance utilization list which overall did not increase or decrease the budget, but swapped out the gym floor replacements for Recreation with higher prioritized projects like lighting replacements/additions at various facilities and upgrades at Walnut Creek. In addition, the roads inventory was added for public works.
In the attachments you can find the detail budget pages.
Indian Land Fire and Pleasant Valley Fire are only budgeted for 3 months due to discussed merger in which they will need to be brought under one fund upon Council decision. A budget amendment will be necessary pending Council's future discussions.
Funding and Liability Factors:
Per SC State law, a budget must be approved by June 30 each year for the new fiscal year beginning July 1. This will set the county budget for next fiscal year.
Recommendation:
Approve the budget for FY 2024.