Council passes the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget following a series of significant amendments
The approved budget includes a 5.2 mil general fund increase, additional millage for EMS and fire services, and various capital project funding for community centers and local infrastructure.
9 votes8 passed1 failed5 split
The vote behind the headline
Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget (3rd Reading):Council passed the final 2022-2023 budget featuring tax and fee increases for county services.Taxes & budget
Yes 5 · No 2
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How they voted
✓ David Snodgrass✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell✗ Jimmy Jones✗ Russell Brazell
This vote finalized the county's financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. The budget was approved following a series of contentious amendments that addressed funding gaps in public safety, waste management, and administration. The final version includes a 5.2 mil general fund increase, additional millage for EMS and fire services, and specific capital allocations. Critics, including Councilmen Jones and Brazell, expressed reservations regarding the scope of expenditures and the timing of the budget process, noting that several seats on the Council will change hands following the November elections. The county intends to use these funds to address aging infrastructure, staffing vacancies, and mounting operational costs associated with population growth. The measure serves as the primary policy document for county operations, and its passage allows departments to begin executing their work plans under the new fiscal constraints. Future adjustments may be required as the county monitors revenue performance against inflationary pressures.
Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget (3rd Reading):Council passed the final 2022-2023 budget featuring tax and fee increases for county services.Taxes & budget
Yes 5 · No 2
▸detailsless
How they voted
✓ David Snodgrass✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell✗ Jimmy Jones✗ Russell Brazell
This vote finalized the county's financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. The budget was approved following a series of contentious amendments that addressed funding gaps in public safety, waste management, and administration. The final version includes a 5.2 mil general fund increase, additional millage for EMS and fire services, and specific capital allocations. Critics, including Councilmen Jones and Brazell, expressed reservations regarding the scope of expenditures and the timing of the budget process, noting that several seats on the Council will change hands following the November elections. The county intends to use these funds to address aging infrastructure, staffing vacancies, and mounting operational costs associated with population growth. The measure serves as the primary policy document for county operations, and its passage allows departments to begin executing their work plans under the new fiscal constraints. Future adjustments may be required as the county monitors revenue performance against inflationary pressures.
Councilman Jimmy Jones proposed an amendment to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to replace aging radio systems for first responders. He argued that the current equipment will become obsolete by July 2025 and that supply chain backlogs made immediate action necessary. The motion sought $2.5 million for county-wide replacements and $465,000 for the Lugoff Fire Department. Staff clarified that while radio replacement is an ongoing concern, there was already $500,000 set aside in the current capital budget and a potential federal grant pending for fire services. The Council ultimately rejected the motion, preferring to rely on existing capital plans and future grant opportunities rather than reallocating funds currently earmarked for other projects like sewer infrastructure. The failure of this motion leaves the county to continue its phased replacement strategy as originally budgeted.
Amendment: Connell Motion for $30,000 for local legislative delegation office:Council approved $30,000 to fund an administrative assistant for the local legislative delegation office.
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ David Snodgrass✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Jimmy Jones
This amendment authorizes the expenditure of $30,000 to support an administrative assistant position for the local legislative delegation office. The funding is sourced from previously budgeted non-departmental operating expenditures from the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Chairman Ben Connell noted that while the previous allocation for this position was $40,000, the reduction reflects actual needs for the coming term. The position supports the coordination between county government and the state legislative delegation. This measure passed unanimously, with Council members agreeing that the administrative support is essential for the delegation's operations within the county.
Amendment: Connell Motion for $200,000 ARPA funds to Town of Elgin:Council approved $200,000 in ARPA funds to support the Elgin Community Center and Park project.
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ David Snodgrass✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Jimmy Jones
This amendment provides $200,000 in ARPA funding to the Town of Elgin to complete a community center and park. The funds are contingent upon a memorandum of understanding (MOU) ensuring the project's completion, public access for all Kershaw County residents, and the county's right to use the facility for emergency response or disaster relief. The project has already received significant local investment, including over $500,000 raised by the town and a $65,000 state grant. Chairman Connell highlighted Elgin's rapid 24.8% growth over the last decade as justification for the infrastructure investment. The Council viewed this as a one-time capital cost that would not impose long-term carrying costs on the county, as the town will oversee operations and maintenance.
Amendment: Connell Motion for $110,000 A-Tax funds for West Wateree lighting:Council approved $110,000 in tourism tax funds to complete the West Wateree sports complex lighting project.Taxes & budget
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ David Snodgrass✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Jimmy Jones
This amendment allocates $110,000 from uncommitted Accommodations Tax (A-Tax) funds to finalize the lighting project at the West Wateree sports complex. The county attorney confirmed that A-Tax funds are legally restricted to tourism-related purposes, and improving the facility to 'tournament-worthy' status qualifies under these regulations. Chairman Connell noted that a previous cost estimate from contractors was still being honored despite inflationary pressures, which allowed the project to proceed at a lower price than originally anticipated. The lighting is expected to support increased tournament play, directly benefiting local tourism. This funding move leaves approximately $174,000 in the remaining A-Tax account for future projects.
Amendment: Tucker Motion for Kirkland Community Center funding ($145,400 ARPA):Council approved $145,400 in ARPA funds for the Kirkland Community Center's three-year operational plan.
Yes 5 · No 2
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How they voted
✓ David Snodgrass✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell✗ Jimmy Jones✗ Russell Brazell
What this was about
Council approved $145,400 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help establish the Kirkland Community Center at the former Barron DeKalb Elementary School. Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. introduced the motion, explaining that the funding is intended to cover operations for a three-year startup period as the center transitions toward self-sufficiency. The center is intended to provide services for youth, senior citizens, and those with special needs, and will serve as a hunger relief site and emergency shelter. The school district donated the building for this purpose, and the county is partnering to ensure the center's viability. Opponents, including Councilman Jones, questioned the ongoing draw on ARPA funds, but the measure passed 5-2.
Amendment: Gardner Motion for Solid Waste fee increase (to $123/parcel):Council approved a solid waste fee increase to $123 per parcel to improve operational efficiency.Environment
Yes 5 · No 2
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How they voted
✓ David Snodgrass✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell✗ Jimmy Jones✗ Russell Brazell
Council voted to increase the annual solid waste fee from $80 to $123 per improved parcel to cover rising costs and prevent subsidies from the general fund. Councilman Gardner argued that the increase is necessary to fund additional personnel, trucks, and equipment needed to manage waste and enforce dumping policies. The increase is projected to generate over $1.2 million in additional annual revenue. Staff explained that the county has moved to in-house waste management, and the increased revenue will allow for better maintenance of the convenience centers and the addition of a litter control officer. The fee adjustment was passed 5-2, with critics citing the impact of the fee on residents.
Amendment: Snodgrass Motion for Fire District millage/fee increase:Council approved a fire district millage increase and fee hike to fund six new firefighter positions.Taxes & budgetEMS & fire
Yes 4 · No 2
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How they voted
✓ David Snodgrass✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✗ Jimmy Jones✗ Ben Connell
What this was about
This amendment authorizes a 0.6 mil increase and a $20 fee hike per improved parcel within the Kershaw County Fire District to fund six additional career firefighter positions. The measure replaces a previous proposal to fund three positions at Pine Grove. Councilman Snodgrass argued that this represents a more equitable and transparent funding mechanism for the unincorporated areas served by the district. The funds are earmarked to move the county's fire service from a primarily volunteer model toward a career-hybrid system. The motion passed 4-2, with Chairman Connell and Councilman Jones voting in opposition. Proponents emphasized that this will improve ISO ratings and lower homeowner insurance premiums, helping offset the cost of the increase for residents.
MOU: Kershaw County and Sheriff's Office regarding operating funds:Council approved a memorandum of understanding to link sheriff's office funding to specific millage.Public safety
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell
Council approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office to designate 23.4 mills to fund department operations for fiscal year 2022-2023. Councilman Tucker explained that this move is intended to provide transparency and allow the department's budget to grow proportionally with the county's tax base without requiring new millage requests. While the department will still remain subject to annual budget appropriations by the Council, this change will reflect the sheriff's funding on tax bills and pie charts, providing taxpayers with a clearer understanding of where their tax dollars are allocated. The agreement is limited to a one-year term and will be reviewed annually. Council members unanimously supported the measure as a positive step for public accountability.
Council engaged in a discussion regarding the county's rules and order of business, specifically focusing on the authority of the county administrator regarding agenda preparation and the protocol for handling public comments.
Councilman Jimmy Jones expressed concern regarding political campaigning at the local farmers market.
Public comment▸showhide
Representatives from the Kershaw County School District, including the new superintendent, discussed the importance of continued collaboration on fee in lieu of tax agreements to ensure student safety and resource stability.
A local resident provided testimony regarding the danger of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) events and advocated for personal emergency preparedness. A written statement from a resident was read into the record, raising concerns about the county's budget priorities, including spending on pet projects and administrative hiring versus core infrastructure like roads and EMS.
Coming up▸showhide
Council will continue discussions on future municipal funding requests and the codification project update is expected on the next agenda. The next regular sessions will follow the upcoming July 4th holiday recess.
Independent summary, generated from the county's public video, not an official county communication.
How this recap was made: Prepared from the meeting's live-stream transcript. The county's official minutes (the verified vote record) will be cross-checked automatically once the county publishes them, often a couple of months later. This is an automated summary written by software (a neural-network summarizer working from the documents above). Rely on the official county record for anything important.
