DARLINGTON — A $32.5 million county budget for fiscal 2009 will come before Darlington County Council on Monday for a final vote.
Eight ordinances making up the budget package are up for third and final reading Monday. Council gave unanimous preliminary approval to the budget ordinances on May 19.
Councilman Wesley Black-well of Hartsville said at that time, however, that he had to cut about $200,000 from the proposed $515,000 in general fund appropriations for the county recreation program and turn more of the responsibilities for recreation programs over to the cities of Hartsville and Darlington.
Blackwell said he planned to introduce a measure to cut the recreation funding before final approval of the budget.
Council will hold public hearings on each of the budget ordinances at the start of Monday’s 7 p.m. meeting.
By far, the largest of the budgets is the $24.2 million general fund budget, which includes a proposed property tax increase of $320,380, or 1.66 mills, which is within the cap imposed by the state under the 2.9 percent Consumer Price Index increase approved by the State Budget and Control Board.
That increase will add about $10.49 to the annual property tax bill on an owner-occupied home with an assessed value of $158,000. On a $30,000 automobile, the increase will be $2.99 a year.
Revenues in the general fund budget from local property taxes grew by $311,590 as a result of growth in the county’s tax base. Those two items together combine for a total revenue increase of $806,850 in the general fund budget.
Of the total $32.5 million budget package, 53.9 percent — more than $17.5 million — is allocated for salaries and wages. Another $9,453,920, or about 29.06 percent will go to fund operations. Grants account for $2,312,980 or about 7.11 percent of the total revenue. And $3,231,640, or 9.93 percent, will go toward capital expenses.
Also up for third reading — again — is an ordinance addressing the Darlington County Jetport Commission.
The measure will restrict the powers and authority of the commission, making it advisory only. The ordinance will also officially change the name of the commission from Darlington County Airport Commission to Darlington County Jetport Commission. The commission has been unofficially using the term jetport commission for several years.
Council postponed final action on the ordinance two weeks ago.
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