Taxpayers are set for a 3-mill increase on the operating side, but a 5.4 mill decrease on debt services. This translates into about a $9 savings in taxes on an owner-occupied $100,000 home.
Some non-profit agencies will see a 15 percent decrease in allocations from the county, but others, like Council on Aging and Westview Behavioral Health Services, will not bear the cuts as the agencies use the county’s funding to match federal grants.
While ambulance service in the Lake Murray area has gotten much discussion, it still remains in the budget. Definitely cut from the EMS budget are the purchase of two new ambulances. Also, while there are no cuts in EMS service, county leaders plan to continue defining the duties of EMS and rescue squads to boost efficiency from the two agencies.
County employees will not see any increase in wages, and the county is cutting back on benefits cost by passing the cost for any insurance plans beyond basic coverage to the employees.
Also, lodging and food allowances for county employees are being decreased by 15 percent.
County Council will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday night at the Courthouse Annex on College Street to take final reading on the budget.
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