Anson County keeps tax rate at 77 cents, approves targeted hires and defers COLA pending audit

The Anson County Board of Commissioners voted 5–2 in a recess meeting to keep the county’s property tax rate at 77 cents per $100 valuation and to fill a targeted set of vacant positions while deferring a proposed cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) until the county audit is completed in October.

Finance staff presented a menu of about 15 budget options, including combinations of freezing vacancies, delaying or not funding the COLA, and modest tax-rate increases. Miss Barry, who prepared the budget packet for the board, told commissioners a scenario that raised the rate to 86.7 cents would reduce fund-balance use by roughly $2.06 million but would raise property taxes for many residents. On the calculation for a $250,000 house, staff explained the moved rate would increase the annual tax bill by about $225.

Why it matters: commissioners said they were torn between preserving services and protecting residents — notably a high share of seniors and low-income households — from higher property taxes. The board heard from department leaders that some vacant positions are tied to state-reimbursed programs and to mandated services, and that prolonged vacancies could increase the county’s risk of penalties or reduced service capacity.

Key details: the approved motion maintained the current tax rate at 77 cents and authorized hiring one position per department from the vacancy list, with these exceptions: Social Services (DSS) may fill up to four positions because several are already frozen and some duties are federally or state mandated; the Health Department may fill up to two positions (staff said one family-planning nurse is 100% state-reimbursed); all safety vacancies identified (four sheriff’s deputies and one EMT basic) were approved to be funded; the planning director and the assistant EMS director positions were to remain frozen. The board also asked county management to look for an existing county vehicle the DSS could use and authorized up to $25,000 for a replacement vehicle if none was available.

During the meeting, Miss Jackson, speaking for Social Services, warned that several positions have been frozen since July and said, “Having those four positions filled would help us to be able to maintain the services that we are currently providing,” noting that some duties tied to recent state policy changes increase staff workload and the risk of county paybacks if staffing remains insufficient.

Opposition and alternatives: some commissioners pressed to avoid a tax increase because many county residents are on fixed incomes; others argued a modest rate increase could reduce fund-balance drawdown and preserve more services. Several board members also raised concerns about the county’s pattern of using fund balance year after year and the Local Government Commission’s scrutiny if large draws continue.

Next steps: the board deferred the COLA and will reassess the budget after the county’s audit, expected at the end of October. County staff were instructed to convert the board action into a budget ordinance for the full meeting scheduled Tuesday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m.

The motion recorded in the meeting passed 5 in favor, 2 opposed; the minutes record the motion details and the board’s direction to staff.