LAKE CITY, SC (WMBF) – Lake City leaders gave initial approval to a spending plan that could help address the city’s budget issues, but not without a cost.
“Please reconsider, please try to find another avenue to keep these employees, I beg of you,” said a concerned Lake City resident.
In an emotional Tuesday meeting that at times turned tearful and confrontational, the Lake City Council gave initial approval in a 4-3 vote to next fiscal year’s budget, which would cut 21 jobs and boost water and sewer rates.
“I respectfully ask you reconsider removing my position from the budget,” said a Lake City employee. “As a single mother raising two daughters without nearby support, it is not just my livelihood, it is my way of giving back.”
The proposed $10.7 million spending plan, a nearly 21% increase from last year, includes potential job cuts across various departments within the city’s staff, including the police and fire departments.
Documents from Lake City’s agency show the proposed cuts, along with the number of employees in the current and previous years.
Departments FY 2021FY 2022FY 2023FY 2024FY 2025FY 2026Administration455665Mayor/Council77Blank777Finance567854Police 303142443631Judicial223333Sanitation 888877Fire 91416151412Code Enforcement 222221Public Works 9101214119Recreation 767555Senior Center111111Cole Road BlankBlankBlank1BlankBlankPIO223230Total869410611610085
Utility employees:
Utilities FY 2021FY 2022FY 2023FY 2024FY 2025FY 2026W/S Line Maint9101515108Waste Water 981110107I&I111111W/S Admin/Billing 888776Total 272735332822
Mayor Yamekia Robinson said if those positions in the police department are cut, the city would turn to the county.
When asked about the situation, Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye said that he will be ready to help if it comes to it.
The proposed budget would also involve the city selling its properties on East Main Street and Cole Road, as well as discounting most contributions to nonprofits.
“It was in an aggressive expansion mode; we have built facilities, we hired staff, all that, now we are having to reverse it all,” said Steven Thompson, interim City Administrator. “Maybe we can get back there. but it is going to take a little time.”
Documents show the only exceptions would be $10,000 for the Boys & Girls Club, which now rents a city facility, $20,000 to the library, and $20,000 for Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority.
The budget would also change the utility rate structure to a gallon-for-gallon fee system, as the first 2,500 gallons are not currently billed.
In total, water and sewer rates would increase by about $20 a month, according to the city’s interim administrator, Steven Thompson.
“It hurts everyone’s pockets right now, as far as the cutbacks with our police officers, we are taking about our safety here,” said Debra Lane, owner of Crossroads Exchange. “Crime is up, and the more visible they are, the better it is for us all. When there is an emergency, they are having to pull in county officers, and it takes them longer to get here. It affects all aspects of our safety, even with the firemen being cut back.”
Officials said Tuesday that Lake City owes its vendors $2 million and has no way to take care of critical needs, such as fleet repairs, given its current financial situation.
“I can see the light, I have to stay positive,” said Mayor Robinson. “I do call myself a leader, you have to be hopeful, and that I am.”
With the proposed budget, it is estimated that the city would stay in the green by about $477,836 for the next fiscal year.
Robinson voted against the proposed budget, saying it would be too much for the city to handle.
You can read the proposed budget in full below:
The council will next vote on the budget again on Oct. 14.
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