Lancaster County Newsletter
May 2025
This month’s edition, like the past few, focuses on the budget process and key decisions shaping the upcoming fiscal year, which runs from July 1 through June 30.
If you missed earlier updates, be sure to review April’s Newsletter, which covered sales and property taxes in Lancaster County. March's newsletter gave an overview of the Lancaster County Budget.
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If you have any questions or concerns about the county, feel free to reach out: 803-804-6017 or simply reply to this email. You can also follow me on Facebook for more updates.
🧾 Budget Process: In Progress
📅 Budget Calendar
- May 27 – First Reading
- June 9 – Second Reading
- June 23 – Third Reading + Public Hearing. Final Approval.
💵 Balanced Budget
- Revenue projections show an increase of $8 million in General Fund income
- FY 2025–2026 General Fund Budget: $104 million
- ✅ No millage increase proposed. No increase in property taxes for Lancaster County residents.
📌 The challenge: How do we expand services and infrastructure to keep up with growth?
As I’ve said before, I cannot support continued residential growth north of the City of Lancaster without addressing key infrastructure needs:
- 🚒 Fire/EMS
- 🛣️ Roads
- 📘 Updated UDO
For more detail on final discussions leading into the first reading of the Budget. Check out the Committee of the Whole meeting starting around minute four. Follow along with the power point located here.
🚑 Public Safety Budget Highlights
EMS & Fire
- Growth pressure has strained resources within Fire and EMS
- 👏 Kudos to IL Fire Chief Greg Nicholson and EMS Director Clay Catoe for proposing a blended model of fire + EMS response model which is key part of improving response times and a more efficient use of equipment and personnel.
- ✅ Council is funding 6 new EMS personnel in Indian Land to relieve strain on coverage countywide
Sheriff’s Office
- 👮 Sheriff Faile requested 4 new deputies for Indian Land
✅ Council is supporting this request.
🛠️ Other Key Budget Topics
- ♻️ Convenience site hours: Council considering extended hours at 6 locations
- 💲 Wage Adjustment: 113 county staff earn below $15/hr – Council considering a minimum wage increase to $15/hr
- Adding the positions at two key areas: Animal Shelter, Deputy Coroner
- 🔥 Full-Time Fire Coverage (South of Hwy 5): Ongoing permanent funding discussion
- 🚒 Harrisburg Fire Station: Identifying a funding source. This will be addressed in the coming months.
- 💰 Van Wyck Fire District Fee: Proposed increase from $90 to $180/year
🚧 Transportation Sales Tax
- ✅ Council voted to move forward with placing the 1¢ Transportation Sales Tax on the November 2025 ballot
- 🗳️ Deadline to formally add to ballot: August 1
- 🔜 Next step: Finalize the project list and funding breakdown
- Check out April 28th meeting for discussion and vote from Council beginning at 1 hour 14 minute mark.
🌳 Regional Park Update
-
🏟️ 84-acre park to include:
- Baseball/Softball & Soccer Fields
- Playgrounds
- Community gathering areas
📍 Located near Old Hickory Rd & North Corner Rd
💰 Estimated cost: $34 million
🔗 Click here to learn more about the project and naming opportunities. Follow along in the meeting here starting with minute 39.
Development Updates
📅 Planning Commission Meeting – May 20th – See the agenda for full list
📍 Cresswind by Kolter (521 - across from Walnut Creek)
- January Newsletter- Review January Newsletter to catch up on all the details.
- Planning Commission recommended denial in February. The developer has delayed sending this request to Council, so a final decision may not come until July. Stay tuned.
📍 Old Hickory- Old Hickory Rd (across from back entrance of Roselyn)
- Project Size: 159 acres from RN on MDR (roughly 300 houses)
- Project details
🏗️ Lancaster County Development Updates:Click here to track ongoing and approved developments across the county. Here are the monthly application reports.
How to Share Your Input
Want to voice your opinion on county issues? Here’s how:
1️⃣ Speak at a County Meeting
- Arrive early and sign up to speak at the door.
- You’ll have 3 minutes to address a topic on the agenda.
- Note: Council members can listen but cannot engage in discussion during public comments.
2️⃣ Submit a Public Comment Electronically
3️⃣ Email County Council Members Directly
📩 Contact Council Members:
📍 District 1 – Stuart Graham:smgraham@lancastercountysc.gov
📍 District 2 – Charlene McGriff:cmcgriff@comporium.net
📍 District 3 – Billy Mosteller:bmosteller@lancastercountysc.gov
📍 District 4 – Jose Luis:jluis@lancastercountysc.gov
📍 District 5 – Steve Harper:steveharper@lancastercountysc.gov
📍 District 6 – Bryant Neal:bneal@lancastercountysc.gov
📍 District 7 – Bryan Carnes:briancarnes@lancastercountysc.gov
📌 Tips for Effective Public Commenting:
✔️ Be respectful and concise. Avoid personal attacks.
✔️ State your position clearly (support/oppose) and provide facts.
✔️ Keep it under 3 minutes. You don’t need to be a great speaker—just be direct.
Stay Informed on County Meetings
📬 Want meeting updates in your inbox? Sign up here to receive agendas and documents before each meeting.
📺 Missed a meeting? Watch past sessions here.
Looking for a great way to explore Lancaster County- Lancaster Ag + Art tour features 18 stops on a self guided tour on May 3rd at Lancaster Farms and other related sites. Check it out!! The Craig Home tour is a can't miss opportunity.
Thank you for staying engaged in our community!
Best,
Stuart