In the last six months and through the challenging passing of the Georgetown County budget, it has become painfully clear that our budget is severely constrained. From a revenue standpoint, we have not kept up with inflation over the last 10 years. We must generate new revenue resources to keep up with required expenses, which include public works, public safety, emergency management, parks and recreation, planning and zoning, waste management, and a myriad of other important government services that are critical to a financially healthy, vibrant, and a sustainable community. While the Sheriff has publicly voiced his concerns regarding his staffing and competitive salary challenges, his department is not unique other than being led by an elected official. All other departments, including others in public safety, are equally challenged with inflation, affordable workforce housing, local salary competition from neighboring counties and municipalities, capital expenses, skyrocketing healthcare premiums, and pension demand from annuitants.
Based on comparative data, Georgetown County has cut expenses to a dangerous level and has not increased revenue when needed over the last 15 years. As a County Council, it is our fiscal responsibility to balance our budget every year, unlike the federal government budget that runs at a deficit. The private sector has dealt with these issues by decreasing per unit sizes, squeezing supply chain, expanding operational efficiencies, and increasing pricing. After many years of avoiding raising taxes, it was critical that we recently passed a millage increase to provide for public safety to include eight new Sheriff’s Deputy patrol officers and fulfill the needs of all our public safety staff including Fire and EMS. The Georgetown County budget with this amendment will increase to just over $100 million. As a comparison see the table below:
County | 2023 Budget | Population |
Georgetown | ~ $87 Million (General Government) | ~ 65,000 |
Berkeley (Moncks Corner) | ~ $150 million ( General Government) | ~ 245,000 |
Beaufort (Hilton Head) | ~ $142 Million (General Government) | ~ 187,000 |
Charleston | ~ $252 million (General Government) | ~ 420,000 |
Greenwood | ~ $42 million (General Government) | ~ 69,000 |
Florence | ~ $119.5 million | ~ 137,059 |
Horry (Myrtle Beach) | ~ $678 Million (General Government Operations) | ~ 383,000 |
Kershaw | ~ $102 Million | ~ 68,000 |
After reviewing that comparative data, we are incorporating a step increase to our fee structure over the next three years that will align our county with our peers. Finally, we are researching the addition of a business license which could generate millions of dollars in yearly revenue as our county grows.
The result of the 2023/2024 budget approval will be increased allocation to all public safety equally and a balanced budget which is required by state law. Finally, our budget approval is an investment in the future growth of our county that will ensure that we are financially healthy, sustainable, and prepared for the growth that is inevitably coming to the western part of the county and the redevelopment that could happen on the Waccamaw Neck.