PICKENS COUNTY — On Monday, members of the Pickens County Council passed the third and final reading of the 2019 budget with no expected tax increases for residents.

“I want to say that based on Council’s hard work and dedication to taxpayers, we are positioned tonight to offer a comprehensive amendment in our budget that anticipates no net tax increase for our upcoming year,” said Council Chairman Roy Costner before he asked for a motion for the third reading of the budget ordinance.

During work sessions in April and May, Council developed amendments to the budget to allay the increase, said Costner. Among those included merging the Pickens County Prison/Stockade personnel with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, eliminating a $1.5 million general obligation note and the removal of the somewhat controversial “Sister City” membership.

“We started with this huge tax increase of 4.6 mils and because of their (Council and Staff’s) hard work and individually — each one of them — we are now anticipating no tax increase at all as we’re going into the next year and we’re adding all of these services including the jail,” said Costner. “All these great things are happening.”

Also discussed during Monday’s meeting were plans for the County’s sesquicentennial (150th) celebration with preliminary plans including the opening of a time capsule, carriage rides, parades and a “sock hop.”

Committees are currently being put together to spearhead the efforts, they said.

County Council passed third reading of the budget with no tax increases.
https://www.sentinelprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_150.jpgCounty Council passed third reading of the budget with no tax increases. Courtesy image
The 2019 budget was passed by County Council during Monday’s meeting.

By Kasie Strickland

kstrickland@championcarolinas.com

Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.