Lexington County taxes could rise, mainly for public safety, roads

Lexington County residents may dig a little deeper in their wallets soon to pay for public safety and better roads.

Property taxes would rise slightly under a $140.5 million spending plan outlined to County Council on Tuesday that includes six additional jail guards, three more firefighters and a new crew devoted to paving bumpy roads.

The maximum increase suggested is $2.99 on a home valued for taxes at $100,000, although it could fall to $2.13 if more state aid is provided by the Legislature. The plan also uses $4 million in savings to balance the budget.

Either increase proposed would be less than one percent of the $361 current tax for most county services on that home. The amount is in line with what the county has been doing in recent years.

Some of the nine council members expressed support for the plan but delayed approval until late June after it’s clear how much state aid is coming.

“For now, we’ve done all the work we can do,” Councilman Jim Kinard of Swansea said.

In addition, council members are waiting on the results of a survey of residents taken in spring on the quality of county services and support for tax increases to pay for improvements. A summary of the poll is scheduled to be submitted by June 21.

The additional jail guards as well as a new assistant public defender are intended to help cope with the demands of caring for nearly 800 prisoners at a jail designed for 599.

Officials hope to reduce that level by settling charges sooner for prisoners arrested for nonviolent offenses.

Sheriff Jay Koon, who runs the jail, would receive double the number of guards initially proposed. “It’s part of the solution to the (overcrowding) problem,” he said.

The new road crew is designed to keep many side roads in better condition amid rising traffic levels.