Lexington County Council has approved an annual budget totaling $300,921.717, a 10.5% increase from last year.

The council is also considering a $40 million bond issue to fund capital improvements.

No Lexington residents opposed the bond proposal during public comment at the July 9 meeting. The council will have the second reading of the proposed bond during its next council meeting in August.

There was no tax increase adopted for either of those expenditures. The county’s operating millage will continue at 98.639.

Lexington County Councilman Todd Cullum said the county is managing growth and new expenses with the existing tax base.

“Our administrator did a really good job,” he said of the current budget, adopted at the June 25 meeting.

The budget provides employee salary increases and adds 33 additions to the workforce.

In response to a request from the Chronicle on new programs funded in the budget, county officials outlined a list of 10, costing a total of $4,294,465. Emergency Services received the top amount, $825,630, which was allocated for ten paramedics and operating costs. The solicitor’s office received the second highest amount, $697,901.

Cullum said public safety was a priority in the new budget.

Other new program allocations:

1. Animal Services, $477,694 for new investigators, operating and capital costs and shelter expansion

2. Fire Service, $294,196 for uniforms gear repair and prox-card security readers

3. Community Development, $239,979 for two new personnel, operating and capital costs, four position upgrades

4. Fleet Services, $158,897 for two new personnel, operating and capital costs

5. Solid Waste, $123,158 for additional personnel, operating and capital costs, four position upgrades, additional contributions to Keep the Midlands Beautiful

6. Public Works, $57,212 for part-time heavy equipment operator trainer, position upgrades

7. Coroner, $24,018 for upgrades for three full-time positions and three part-time positions

8. Communications, $19,606 for 9-1-1 System Management upgrade

The $40 million bond issue will go toward projects approved by the Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission. Capital improvement will include renovations for Oak Grove Softball complex, new LED lighting across the county and seating addition to the Lexington County Baseball Stadium.

Money is also being allocated to constructing a new senior center in the Red Bank area, and a new administration building for the Recreation and Aging Commission.

While $40 million is a lot of money, it’s not going to require a tax increase, according to county officials. The county will fund the repayment with existing revenues.

Cullum said the bond money is needed to address some very important issues, such as old lighting and aging bathroom facilities in county facilities. He said some of the bathroom facilities are 30 years old.

Cullum also noted that there will be a continuing need for funding programs for the county’s aging population, which is continuing to grow.

“The baby boomers are in their senior years,” he said.