Richland County hearing: residents and nonprofits press council to protect library, senior and cultural funding
May 21, 2026 | Richland County, South Carolina
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Richland County Council opened a public hearing May 21 on proposed ordinances to levy ad valorem property taxes for fiscal year 2026–27 and heard more than a dozen speakers urging the council to preserve or increase funding for libraries, senior services and cultural institutions.
The council read two draft ordinances (items 3A and 3B) authorizing property tax levies to provide revenue for county operations, then opened the floor to public comment. Vice Chair Pew explained procedures and the council temporarily suspended the usual time rules to accommodate 15 speakers.
Speakers representing Midlands Technical College, Richland Library, Senior Resources, the Columbia Museum of Art, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, Township Auditorium, the Columbia International Festival and a range of community nonprofits testified about program impacts and local needs.
"Midlands Tech doesn't just educate students, it changes families," said Sierra Wallace, a recent Midlands Technical College graduate, who told council the college created pathways for working adults and dual-enrollment opportunities for her foster daughter.
Randall M. Jackson, vice chair of the Midlands Tech commission, thanked the council for past support and said the college is expanding programs in advanced manufacturing, health care and technical training.
Andrew Boozer, executive director of Senior Resources, warned of deep service reductions if county support continues to decline. "There's going to be empty plates on dining room tables and nobody knocking on that door," Boozer said, describing potential cuts to home-delivered meals and other services for isolated seniors.
Multiple speakers urged the council to approve the Richland Library's requested "no mill" increase. "Funding the library is also an economic engine," Ben Adams, owner of All Good Books, said, arguing library programs and events drive business for local vendors and creators.
Teresa Griffin, president of the Columbia Museum of Art board, said the museum recorded 125,000 visitors and that "visitors to the CMA generate more than $23 million annually through retail and hospitality sales," and requested continued county operating and capital support (she cited a current request of $1.225 million).
Tommy Stringfeller, president and CEO of Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, asked to be funded at prior levels and provided an asserted economic-impact figure for the zoo. He described recent capital reinvestments and contracts awarded to local businesses.
Other public comments included requests for continued county support for the Township Auditorium, the Columbia International Festival, Columbia Classical Ballet and Limitless Community Development; a request from the Richland County voter registration director for a stipend increase for poll managers; and an appeal from a resident to increase funding for fire services, facilities and planning staff.
The clerk read an email from Camila C. Samson, a Richland County Recreation Commission employee, asking council to fully fund RCRC's budget request to maintain ADA compliance, staffing and program access across the county.
The hearing closed after all registered speakers were heard. Council took no final action on the tax ordinances at the hearing; procedural motions to adopt the agenda, to suspend the public-comment time rules for the night, and to adjourn were approved by recorded voice/roll-call votes during the meeting.
The council will proceed with its regular budget process; no vote adopting the tax ordinances occurred during the May 21 public hearing.
The council read two draft ordinances (items 3A and 3B) authorizing property tax levies to provide revenue for county operations, then opened the floor to public comment. Vice Chair Pew explained procedures and the council temporarily suspended the usual time rules to accommodate 15 speakers.
Speakers representing Midlands Technical College, Richland Library, Senior Resources, the Columbia Museum of Art, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, Township Auditorium, the Columbia International Festival and a range of community nonprofits testified about program impacts and local needs.
"Midlands Tech doesn't just educate students, it changes families," said Sierra Wallace, a recent Midlands Technical College graduate, who told council the college created pathways for working adults and dual-enrollment opportunities for her foster daughter.
Randall M. Jackson, vice chair of the Midlands Tech commission, thanked the council for past support and said the college is expanding programs in advanced manufacturing, health care and technical training.
Andrew Boozer, executive director of Senior Resources, warned of deep service reductions if county support continues to decline. "There's going to be empty plates on dining room tables and nobody knocking on that door," Boozer said, describing potential cuts to home-delivered meals and other services for isolated seniors.
Multiple speakers urged the council to approve the Richland Library's requested "no mill" increase. "Funding the library is also an economic engine," Ben Adams, owner of All Good Books, said, arguing library programs and events drive business for local vendors and creators.
Teresa Griffin, president of the Columbia Museum of Art board, said the museum recorded 125,000 visitors and that "visitors to the CMA generate more than $23 million annually through retail and hospitality sales," and requested continued county operating and capital support (she cited a current request of $1.225 million).
Tommy Stringfeller, president and CEO of Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, asked to be funded at prior levels and provided an asserted economic-impact figure for the zoo. He described recent capital reinvestments and contracts awarded to local businesses.
Other public comments included requests for continued county support for the Township Auditorium, the Columbia International Festival, Columbia Classical Ballet and Limitless Community Development; a request from the Richland County voter registration director for a stipend increase for poll managers; and an appeal from a resident to increase funding for fire services, facilities and planning staff.
The clerk read an email from Camila C. Samson, a Richland County Recreation Commission employee, asking council to fully fund RCRC's budget request to maintain ADA compliance, staffing and program access across the county.
The hearing closed after all registered speakers were heard. Council took no final action on the tax ordinances at the hearing; procedural motions to adopt the agenda, to suspend the public-comment time rules for the night, and to adjourn were approved by recorded voice/roll-call votes during the meeting.
The council will proceed with its regular budget process; no vote adopting the tax ordinances occurred during the May 21 public hearing.
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