WINNSBORO (April 29, 2016) – Prior to second reading Monday night of an ordinance to establish the 2016-2017 budget, County Council voted to adopt a block of changes that shifted money between departments, while also effectively killing the County’s Workforce Liaison Department.
The recommended changes, Interim County Administrator Milton Pope said before the vote, came from Council’s instructions to administration during the April 12 budget work session.
“Except for the last item in the total changes in revenue, the last item there with the Workforce Liaison Department, all of the others we have accomplished . . . within the recommended budget as presented by the County Administrator,” Pope told Council. “In short, what I am saying is, it did not change the budget dollars. Depending on what action, or if you take an action on the last item, then that would be a further reduction to the numbers that you have.”
Council voted to adopt all the changes as a whole, which included cutting $57,996 from the Workforce Liaison Department. If that change holds on third and final reading, that department will disappear.
The position of Liaison is currently held by Jackie Workman. The department has been responsible for disseminating employment and employment training opportunities to Fairfield County residents.
The changes also include reducing by $30,000 funding for the Clemson Extension, as well as removing $6,000 from the Tax Assessor’s software maintenance agreement, and moving both figures into Administration to fund a performance audit. Landscaping for the Walter Brown Industrial Park, for $26,400, was moved into the Economic Development Department.
The changes also take into account an expected $20,000 windfall in recyclable revenues, which will go to help fund the $26,785 necessary to open recycling centers on Wednesdays.
Council adopted the changes 6-0. Councilman Kamau Marcharia (District 4) was absent from Monday’s meeting.
Council will hold its next work session on the budget on May 3. Third and final reading of the budget ordinance is slated for May 9.
