Government

Members of Lancaster County’s legislative delegation were in Columbia on Tuesday for a special called session of the General Assembly to approve next year’s state budget.
During the session, lawmakers considered an $8 billion general fund budget worked out last week by the six-member Conference Committee noted for funding increases for schools, including the University of South Carolina Lancaster, and the state’s pension fund.

KERSHAW – Town officials hope that finding and fixing a gigantic water leak will save Kershaw enough money to offset several unavoidable expense increases in the proposed $3.9 million budget for 2017-18.
The budget, which passed first reading May 15, does not include a property tax increase at this point, though that might change before second reading. The town is awaiting information on how much it will get through the local-option sales tax.
“It’s going to be tight again. It always is,” said Mayor Mark Dorman.

HEATH SPRINGS – Citing a 64 percent increase in cost, the town of Heath Springs will not renew its agreement with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office that supplies a deputy to the town for 40 hours a week.
To renew, the cost of the contract would have soared from $23,500 per year to $38,500 per year. The current contract expires June 30.
And for a small town with no property tax whose revenue comes from mostly water and sewer rates, the additional $15,000 cost was too much to absorb, said Mark Bridges, the town’s major pro tem.

The Lancaster County Council will review the proposed 2017-18 budget at its meeting Monday night.
The new budget includes a slightly higher property tax rate, a 2 percent salary increase for county workers and more money for cyber-security. It addresses public works and public safety in an effort to keep up with the county’s growing population, which is nearing 90,000 people.