Richland County Council on Thursday gave first reading by title only to its first two-year budget, which totals more than $1.7 billion for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.

As proposed by the County Administrator, the Biennium Budget I is balanced and within the millage cap. The proposed two-year budget totals $1,750,468,321 – $868,324,729 for the first fiscal year and $882,143,592 for the second fiscal year.

At Thursday’s brief public meeting, the County Administrator formally presented the proposed budget to Councilmembers.

The switch from an annual to a biennial budget cycle marks a shift by Richland County Council to more actively measure the performance of the County’s programs to ensure residents are receiving high-quality services.

Budget discussions will continue during the Council budget work sessions. The schedule for the budget meetings, including a public hearing, is as follows:

·       4 p.m. Tuesday, May 2 – General Fund

·       4 p.m. Tuesday, May 9 – Special Revenue, Enterprise and Millage Agencies

·       4 p.m. Thursday, May 11 – Grants

·       6 p.m. Thursday, May 18 – Public Hearing

·       6 p.m. Thursday, May 25 – Second Reading of Budget and Millage Ordinance – Grants Only

·       6 p.m. Tuesday, May 30 – Second Reading of Budget and Millage Ordinance – Non-grant Items

·       6 p.m. Thursday, June 8 – Second Reading and Adoption of Budget Ordinance

The 2018 fiscal year starts July 1, 2017 and ends June 30, 2018. Council is scheduled to meet July 6 to give third reading and adoption of the 2019 fiscal year budget.