LANCASTER, S.C. – The Lancaster City Council held its regular meeting on June 24, beginning with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. A public hearing for the proposed 2025-26 fiscal year budget was held; no residents signed up to speak.
The meeting included several community acknowledgments:
- Duke Energy awarded a $15,000 Hero Grant to the Lancaster Police Department. The funds will be used to purchase a towable generator, serving as an additional backup power source. This is the third consecutive year the department has received the grant.
- The Lancaster Fire Department was recognized for earning the 2024 Fire Safe South Carolina designation for the fifth year in a row, honoring its continued work in fire prevention, training, and risk reduction.
Minutes from the June 10 work session and June 17 special meeting were approved. May 2025 departmental reports highlighted the following:
- Public Works reported a resolved E.coli issue caused by a kink in a bleach line. Employee safety during high temperatures and street sweeper maintenance were also discussed.
- Building Department noted increased inspections due to new construction.
- Police Department addressed concerns including noise complaints, drug activity, and overtime. The department is working on visibility efforts and is training officers to better interact with homeless individuals.
Finance Director James A. Absher, Jr. presented the monthly financial report. While the general fund showed a temporary shortfall, it is expected to be corrected by incoming revenue. Significant capital improvement expenses have been made without drawing from carryover funds.
FY 2025-26 Budget Approved
Council approved the $74.8 million fiscal year 2025-26 budget on its second reading, with a 4-0 vote. Council Members Ronald Sowell, Hazel Taylor, and Kenny Hood were absent. The operating portion of the budget totals $32.6 million. Overall, the budget marks a 40% increase from the previous year, largely due to planned capital improvement projects.
Key capital projects include:
- $14 million for a new fire station
- $8.25 million in grants for wastewater treatment plant upgrades
- $4.1 million for Main Street waterline replacement
- $3.76 million in federal funding for West Meeting Street waterline replacement
- $3.3 million for new water meters
- $1.5 million for pump station upgrades on Highway 9
Approved Tax, Fee, and Salary Changes
- Property Taxes will rise by 8.74%, increasing the bill on a $100,000 home by $15.20 to $189.20.
- City Employee Pay includes a 1% general raise, with an average 7.7% increase for positions below market rate. Solid waste and public works staff will receive an 11.7% raise.
- New Hires: 12 full-time positions will be added.
- Payment Processing: A 3% fee will apply to card payments made to the city.
- Solid Waste Fees: Residential and commercial cart fees will increase between $1 and $10 depending on container type.
- Water and Sewer Rates: Monthly base rates will rise by $1, and volumetric rates will go up 3%.
A new policy will compensate employees assigned to on-call duty. Workers will receive $10.75 per day or $75 per week. Call-back hours will be paid at regular or overtime rates.
Council appointed Mr. McLellan, a recently retired city code officer, to fill a vacancy on the Board of Zoning Appeals following the passing of Jimmy Carter. Additionally, two ordinances allowing the sale of city-owned property were approved. Resolution 25-14, addressing job classifications and compensation, was tabled for further review due to inconsistencies in pay grade data.
It was also noted that Lancaster’s Juneteenth celebration was recently featured in a New York Times article.
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