Darlington County Council considers budget options

Darlington County Council will take a wait-and-see approach to planning the county’s budget for the upcoming year.

At a work session Monday night, council heard from County Administrator Phyllis Griffits about the proposed budget for 2009-10.

Because of the possibilities of federal stimulus dollars coming to the state and budgets cuts being considered by state government, the options presented by Griffits only will serve as a model for future consideration.

“This gives us a good idea of what to expect,” council Chairman Wesley Blackwell said.

Griffits told council if the $50 million budget cut on local government currently considered by state officials remains in effect, Darlington County would have a budget shortfall for 2009-10 of $838,810. That takes into account $532,882 Griffits already cut out of the budget.

“I have ripped (the budget) apart right down to the nitty gritty,” Griffits said. “I can’t cut anymore.”

The administrator proposed three options for the budget.

Option one would be to cut all capital requests for the upcoming budget, including new police cars and equipment for the sheriff’s department and all requests by other county offices, plus an additional $108,340 from the budget.

Option two would be to cut an additional $108,340 from the budget and take the remaining $735,770 from the capital fund balance. The capital fund balance is essentially the county’s reserve funding account. Griffits cautioned on taking money from the capital fund balance. Councilmember Anne Warr agreed. “In these times, that’s kind of dangerous to play with that.” Warr said. She said using funds from the capital fund balance should be a last resort.

Option three would use $419,880 from the capital fund balance, and the remaining $418,930 would come from an increase in taxes. If needed, the increase would remain consistent with the Consumer Price Index and would be an increase of 2.23 mills. The increase would add an additional $14.09 in taxes onto a $150,000 home.

“We’re just flying blind right now,” councilmember Le Flowers said. “This could be a last-minute budget this year. It could be the first week in June before we know anything.”