Categories: School News

Florence County Council Approves Tax Increase for Public Safety

Florence County Council members discuss budget adjustments for public safety and community services.

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News Summary

The Florence County Council has approved a new budget ordinance that will raise property taxes for residents to fund enhancements in public safety, employee benefits, and recreational facilities. Homeowners with properties valued at $200,000 will see an additional $32 in annual taxes. Key funding includes a 7% pay raise for paramedics and the addition of new positions in the Sheriff’s Office. The tax increase reflects a strategic move to improve essential services while stimulating local growth and development.

Florence – The Florence County Council has approved a new budget ordinance that will lead to a property tax increase for residents in the 2025-26 fiscal year. The decision, made at the council meeting on June 19, 2025, is expected to result in an additional $32 in annual taxes for homeowners with properties valued at $200,000.

This tax hike is primarily aimed at financing necessary enhancements to public safety services, increasing employee pay and benefits, and funding new positions within the recreation department. The Florence County Sheriff’s Office is set to gain the most from this budget adjustment, with plans to add ten new positions, including four patrol deputies and four roles in central dispatch, in response to growing public safety demands. An additional two positions will be assistant solicitors focused on reducing the population at the detention center.

Besides the Sheriff’s Office expansion, the budget also allocates funds for a significant 7% pay raise for paramedics, a move prompted by the considerable loss of fifteen paramedics over the past year to better-paying agencies with less demanding call volumes. This increase aims not only to retain existing staff but also to attract new personnel in the future.

Insurance costs for county employees will also see a jump, with a planned 19% increase effective April 1, contributing to the overall financial needs that have necessitated the tax hike. Furthermore, the budget includes a 3% cost-of-living increase for all county employees, translating to an expenditure of $1.6 million funded by the newly generated tax revenue.

The recreation department stands to benefit significantly from this tax increase, with funds allocated for enhanced programming at Lynches River County Park and the development of a new county park situated between Lake City and Johnsonville. This move underscores the county’s ongoing efforts to improve recreational opportunities for residents.

In tandem with the county’s decision, the city of Florence and Florence School District 1 have also approved their respective tax increases for the upcoming fiscal year. The city’s tax increase, which is projected to cost homeowners approximately $60 a year for a $200,000 property, is primarily directed towards police officer salary increases and the investment in advanced flock camera technology aimed at bolstering public safety. This increase will be partially offset by a local option sales tax credit.

On the educational front, the Florence School District’s tax increase is largely driven by plans to raise teachers’ salaries, impacting local property owners differently depending on property value and district assessments.

The approved budget ordinance marks a significant change for Florence residents, as the increased tax revenues are intended not only to enhance safety and healthcare staffing but also to invest in community recreational facilities. Both city and district budget decisions reflect a broader strategy of addressing local needs while encouraging growth and development within Florence County.

The approval of the budget ordinance, despite its financial implications for property owners, is seen as a necessary step towards improving essential services and ensuring that Florence County remains a safe and vibrant place for its residents.