Darlington County Council approves 2008-09 budget

Kevin Smetana
Published: June 17, 2008

Darlington City Council approved the budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year after its second reading Tuesday night.

City Manager Rodney Langley said the general fund budget is $7.063 million, which is about $1 million more than last year’s budget.

The water and sewer budget is $2.461 million. Last year’s was $2.7 million.

Langley said the additional money for the general fund budget is coming from grants the city is expecting, a 2.9 percent increase in property taxes and a $275,000 donation from U.S. Rep. John Spratt’s office.

Three major projects scheduled to take place in the next fiscal year include the transformation of the Carnegie Library into a museum, the development of a walkway on the city’s public square and a downtown development project.

The three projects will cost close to $1.4 million, but that includes the money donated by Spratt’s office.

Langley said the projects will only happen if the grants come through.

“I’m glad we’re doing (these projects), but it is taking more money than I realized it was going to,” Langley said.

Council member Dyan Cohen said she was especially happy with the allocation of an additional $35,000 to go toward storm water drainage planning.

“I feel pretty good about (the overall budget),” Cohen said. “I’m really happy that we’re finally giving some serious and comprehensive planning on storm water draining.”

Cohen also said she’s pleased with the amount of money going toward paving and sidewalk projects, and she hopes it results in more parking spaces downtown.

“As we continue to grow, we need more money for parking,” Cohen said.