Municipalities in Lexington County preparing final budgets for the 2024-2025 fiscal year appear to be in good shape.

No tax increases have been announced so far. While budgets get a little higher each year, towns and cities throughout Lexington County have managed to handle finances. A budget priority for most is to maintain pay levels for police officers and firemen to avoid retention problems. Employee cost of living increases were approved by most of the municipalities.

According to a published report on a recent budget work session, Lexington Mayor Hazel Livingston gave positive notes during a budget meeting earlier this month.

“We've been able to do all of the quality of life and traffic projects, and we have not had to raise their property tax at all. We have not raised property taxes in the last 30 years," she said.

Although there are no plans to raise taxes, water and sewer rates will increase 3.5%.

As of now, the proposed $55 million budget has 48% cof funds going to the town’s police department, 20% going to parks and sanitation, 23% for general government expenses and 9% going toward transportation. The majority of revenue for the 2025 budget is coming from business licenses.

Here’s a look at some of the budget preparations underway in other towns.

Irmo

The town of Irmo continues to have positive projections on the budget.

“We’ve been fortunate,” Irmo Mayor Bill Danielson said of the town’s finances.

The budget submitted to council for the upcoming June meeting totals approximately $10.2 million, a 9.3% increase above the previous year. The budget includes a 4% cost of living raise for employees. New costs will come with the hiring of a new code inspector, expansion of the housing subsidy program to aid in recruitment and retention, continuing partnerships with Keep the Midlands Beautiful and the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce; four new police vehicles; increases in the sanitation fee.

Residents do not have to worry about tax increases. The town does not levy property taxes.

The town is anticipating a major expense in building a new town hall, but Danielson said funding for that will come from grants.

Chapin

Chapin adopted a 2024 budget of $11,290,989, a 6.5% increase over the previous year’s budget of $10,606.932.61. Chapin is currently growing at a rate of 1.62% annually and its population has increased by 6.71% since the most recent census.

West Columbia

West Columbia approved budget of $25 million. The city plans to keep existing millage rates, maintain police and fire budgets and improve water and sewer infrastructure. Priorities listed by town officials include to maximize growth opportunities; allocate funding for blight removal; work on beautification of commercial areas; enhance attractiveness of public places. West Columbia has the lowest water and sewer rates in Lexington County and the Midlands, according to the city’s web site.

Cayce

The City of Cayce approved the fiscal year 2024 budget totaling $19,731,716. The 2023 budget totaled $16.7 million.

The city posted this notice on the budget.

“The City of Cayce prides itself on being diligent and transparent when using public funds for the operations of our city. Despite the high increase in cost of living and continued growth in expenses, the proposed FY24 budget does not include a recommended tax increase or increase in sewer or water rates. It does propose a $2 month increase in sanitation fees that would bring the cost to $15.50 per month, lower than neighboring providers. The 2024 budget will have no property tax millage increase. There will be a 5 percent increase in construction-related permits and fees but no rate increases for water or sewer. Salaries for city employees have a 4 percent cost of living increase.”