City of Hartsville releases proposed budget with livable wage, pay and other increases
On Tuesday, April 25th, the Hartsville City Council met to discuss the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. The City continues to see increased growth across multiple areas, which allowed them to propose several exciting projects and capital purchases to maintain their commitment to investing back in the community. Here are some highlights from the proposed budget:
• Zero tax millage Increase
• Increased Projected Revenue: (Total Combined funds: 18% average increase)
• Fully Funded Classification and Compensation Study, including a 5% Cost of Living Adjustment (Targeted were hard-to-fill positions such as Police Officers, Firefighters, and Heavy Equipment Operators to ensure that their wages are competitive.)
• $2.4 million worth of proposed capital leases, including: (Seven New Police Vehicles … $393,000, new Dash Cameras for all pursuit vehicles … $267,000, new Fire Engine … $1.2 million). There are two funding sources for this — $567,000 capital lease proceeds and $650,000 from Darlington County Fire District Contract Bond. (New Rear Loader Garbage Truck … $320,000, Byerly Park Light Management $15,000, Neptune Island Splash Pad Renovation $400,000 (Enhancement of All-inclusive play equipment for our disabled patrons)
• Public Safety Complex Architectural Design
The Proposed FY 2023-2024 Budget is fully funded by the growth Hartsville continues to experience across multiple areas. A full copy of the proposed budget narrative is available online on the City’s website www.hartsvillesc.gov , along with the April 25th budget workshop full presentation, for citizen review at www.hartsvillesc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-2024-BuProposed-Budget-Narrative-DRAFT-for-Citizen-Review-1.pdf. We invite the public to come to the first reading of the proposed budget, which is scheduled at the City’s regularly scheduled May 9th City Council Meeting at 5:30 P.M.