WINNSBORO – The County’s budget for FY 2017-18 passed second reading Monday night, weighing in at $38,852,148, up $5,574,341 over last year’s budget of $33,277,807.
While the budget allows for a two percent one-time bonus for county employees, it does that and more without a tax increase. With more revenue than was budgeted last year, the county’s fund balance grew by over $5 million.
While most of Council’s budget discussion took place during two budget workshops, the draft ordinance suggests the biggest increases in spending went to Behavioral Health ($500,000 toward a new facility), the Sheriff’s Department ($307,201), the Detention Center ($224,524), Emergency Management ($206,976), EMS ($276,301) and Animal Control ($162,962.)
Other increases in expenses come in the Recreation Department ($75,518), Fire Department ($74,793), Building and Maintenance ($57,049) and Planning/Building/Zoning ($56,519.)
The biggest decreases in departmental spending come in Data Processing ($61,967) and Human Resources ($56,900.)
Revenue Up
On the revenue side, Property Taxes are expected to bring in an additional $875,482, with the Multi-County Industrial Park accounting for $650,000 of that amount. Revenues from the State are up $573,514 and total Special Revenue Funds are up $1,037,411.
Budget documents can be found on the County’s website at www.Fairfieldsc.com.