Darlene Alderman, a field training officer, at the Lexington County Detention Center finishes a cell check inside one of the housing units Tuesday. Sheriff James Metts will make his 2008-09 budget presentation to Lexington County Council Tuesday. Metts will ask for money to hire more jail officers, deputies and buy more police cruisers.
Lexington County homeowners are facing about a $13 tax increase on a $100,000 home if no changes are made in the current version of next year’s general fund budget.
On Tuesday, County Council began its examination of a recommended $94.9 million general fund, which includes $33.7 million for the sheriff’s department.
Unless council cuts large slices from that plan, the 2008-09 general fund budget would be $7.4 million, or 8.5 percent, more than this year’s spending plan.
That would mean the owner of a home with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay $12.80 more than this year, county officials said.
But council must vote two more times on the general fund and the rest of county government spending plus hold a public hearing before all the budgets are final.
The budget for the fiscal year begins July 1.
The sheriff’s budget is the single largest for any county agency.
Sheriff James Metts is asking for $3 million more than this year. But he plans to pay for some of that with $1.3 million he projects he will have in surplus at year end.
Col. Allan Paavel explained the main components of the sheriff’s new spending request include:
• $1.4 million to hire 18 more deputies and jail employees.
Eight new deputies would patrol the growing Gilbert and Edmund communities in central and southern Lexington County, respectively.
Nine new jail officers and a jail repairs employee would help staff the overcrowded facility.
• $346,000 for a reserve fund to pay for rising gas prices. This is in addition to fuel payments already part of the sheriff’s department budget.
• $340,000 for an initial phase of a computer system to manage law enforcement and jail records
• $220,000 to buy 200 stun guns for deputies and jail officers
• $50,000 to replace the jail’s kitchen floor
Council did not vote on Metts’ plan but easily rejected an attempt to cut his request.
The sheriff said he viewed Tuesday’s action as an endorsement of his spending plan.
Several council members said they merely listened but did not approve the request. What council approves finally will depend on the actual surplus after July 1, chairman Billy Derrick said.
Council also examined budget recommendations of several smaller county agencies seeking extra funding. It agreed to consider some later.
The bulk of the general fund increases are being financed by projecting a 2.85 percent inflation rate and about 2.1 percent increase in new residents, county finance director Larry Porth said.
This current version of the budget also carries a 4 percent pool for merit pay increases and a 4.25 percent rise in health insurance premiums.
Reach LeBlanc at (803) 771-8664.
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