To include “across the board” raise for employees
During a work session held Tuesday, Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess presented preliminary budget information to members of Town Council in preparation for first reading on Monday.
Also on the agenda for the Council meeting Monday will be second reading on a business license ordinance, a budget amendment and purchase of property on Scott Street.
Burgess said the draft budget shows a deficit but that a contingency fund could be used to make up the difference.
Expenditures from the Hospitality Tax fund and the expiration of a Cops Grant will also be considered in the new budget.
Burgess said the budget he will present for first reading will include a $2 per hour across the board raise for town employees and salary increases for the police chief, fire chief and town clerk/treasurer.
According to Burgess, Hospitality Tax fund revenue has seen increases over the last three years and the trend is expected to continue for 2025. Hospitality Tax revenues for 2022 were $323,000, 2023 – $327,000 and 2024 – $364,000.
Burgess attributed a big part of the Hospitality Tax revenue increase to the number of people that are coming into the town for youth league sports games, the new pickleball courts and other events that draw crowds.
Funding for Envision Williamston in this budget cycle will come from the Hospitality Tax fund, Burgess said. The Town is considering upgrading or replacing the restroom facilities in Mineral Spring Park, which would also be funded through the Hospitality Tax. The estimated cost for the restroom project is $200,000. The Hospitality Tax is expected to bring in approximately $400,000 this year, according to the Mayor. The fund is restricted to tourism and recreation related expenditures.
General Fund revenues, Franchise Tax revenues, Business License fee revenues and Sanitation fee revenues are also increasing, he said.
Business Licenses revenues were $523,000 in 2022, $531,000 in 2023 and increased to $624,000 in 2024. Sanitation fee revenue for 2022 was $273,000, 2023 – $279,000 and 2024 – $315,000. Burgess said the Town now has two operational sanitation trucks with larger capacity than previous trucks, which will save the town money in the number of trips to the landfill.
Burgess updated Council on improvements planned at Brookdale Park including a new football practice field and epoxy for the restroom floor. There was also some discussion of a batting cage, fence replacement and a sign at the baseball fields located behind Town Hall. There was other discussion about the fields which are leased by the Town from Anderson School District One.
Mayor Burgess said there was a new development in the marketing of property owned by Trinity Baptist Church, which the Town has considered purchasing. Burgess reiterated that the Town did not have a need for the property, but the real estate agent the church has the property listed with had suggested that funding through the SC Conservation Bank could be available to help with the purchase. The funding would require a portion of the property be designated for a park or other conservation related use. Burgess said the price for the Town would be $162,500 plus closing costs and would require a survey and “yellow” book appraisal. Council may reconsider the purchase at the next Council meeting.
Burgess said the earmarks had been removed from funding in the State Budget and that a request the Town has made for funding for new airpacks for the fire department will not be available. He said the legislature is considering putting some money back into the State budget for public safety, which could possibly be applied for.
Council discussed an upcoming paving project for Green Street which may be affected by work being done on the railroad crossing right of way. Councilman David Rogers will check with the railroad and Anderson County about the details of the projects.
A number of streets in Williamston are designated for paving soon.
Mayor Burgess updated Councilmembers on the status of the old Hospital Building on Williams Street. “We don’t own it,” he said. The property was in the process of being sold by Anderson County for delinquent taxes owed and the Town was in the process of taking ownership of the property through Anderson County. Approximately $40,000 was spent by the Town for improvements including sprinkler system and keeping power on while the property ownership was being worked out. Burgess said the County will reimburse the Town for the money spent.
There was some discussion about possibly doing away with the Town Wards for elections. Currently each of the four councilmembers are supposed to be residents of the Ward they represent, however they are voted on townwide in the election. Mayor Burgess said he was not in favor of making a change citing various reasons.
Williamston Town Council will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, May 5.
