ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — County Council has approved a new millage rate for the upcoming tax season.

Supporters of the increase say it was needed to close a budget shortfall, but not everyone agrees.

Orangeburg County is about $1.6 million short in this year’s $60 million general fund budget. To close that gap, the county finalized a new millage rate.

“It was an additional 3.5 mils to the general fund. An additional 3.5 mils to the solid waste fund. Which is a total of 7 and it was a minus 2 from the debt service fund, which means a net of 5 mils,” county administrator Harold Young said.

Young said spending cuts were made where possible, including a 10% reduction to non-fixed costs, but some areas could not be avoided.

“We’re only doing this in the funds that we absolutely have to" Y

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