For the third year in a row, Sumter County Council passed a balanced budget with no tax increase.
During its regular meeting on June 11, council members voted unanimously to approve a $51,908,042 budget for the upcoming Fiscal Year, which begins in July.
Sumter County Administrator Gary Mixon recapped for council members and the audience that two readings on the budget have been held, along with several budget workshops.
Built into the budget is a 3 percent cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for county employees, as well as retirement and health insurance contributions, he said. A slight change in travel reimbursements for county employees aligns more closely with IRS guidelines, he said, and will appear in the new county handbook. A headcount change at the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center adjusts that department by one, he said, as per the sheriff.
Third reading passed unanimously.
Mixon thanked Assistant County Administrator Lorraine Dennis and Finance Director Jamie Michaelson for their work on the budget. He also thanked County Council for their continued support.
“We’ve got a lot of good things going on in this community and a large part of that is because of the work we’re doing in the county,” and it doesn’t happen without a great deal of work and council’s support, he said.
At the outset of the meeting, Sumter City-County Zoning Administrator Helen Roodman spoke to council members about a request to rezone 4.98 acres of land at 526 Godwin Street from Residential-15 (R-15) to Agricultural Conservation (AC).
There were no changes since first reading of the request, she said, as planning staff continues to recommend approval. The request is also supported by the Comprehensive Plan, she said.
Third reading passed unanimously.
Roodman also spoke about a request to rezone 45.78 acres of land at 1449 Camden Highway from AC to R-15. The request comes from Bradford Meadows Development Company, she said, as future plans call for a residential subdivision. Planning Commission recommended approval, she said, and there were no changes since second reading.
Third reading passed unanimously.
Mixon spoke about the $2.8 million capital bond ordinance, and talked about some of the large items that will be funded by it: the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office fleet – 15 vehicles plus equipment; the Sumter Fire Department’s new air packs that will last 10-15 years; a new ambulance and powered stretcher; replacement and refurbishment of fuel tanks at Public Works; a technology upgrade; and funds for the new Animal Shelter.
During a public hearing no one spoke.
Third reading passed unanimously.
The Public Safety Committee met, said Councilman Chris Sumpter, to discuss the naming of the lobby at the Sheriff’s Office in honor of I.B. Parnell. That discussion came out of committee as favorable, he said. That motion was approved unanimously.
Mixon also reminded council members and the general public that a renovation of the County Administration building will require County Council meetings to be held elsewhere this fall. The small courtroom in the Sumter County Courthouse will be the site of Council meetings beginning in September. Meetings will be held there until early next year, he said.
During the Public Comment portion of the meeting, F.D. Schmidt said her question was actually “a refreshment of memory.” She asked if her memory was correct regarding Sumter School District receiving every bit of money mandated by the state.
The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.