Aiken County OKs bonuses, new police cars

AIKEN --- Aiken County Council members voted Tuesday to put new sheriff's vehicles on the road and increase holiday bonuses for county employees.

Members voted unanimously to use 1-cent sales tax funds to replace 11 sheriff's vehicles with high mileage and mechanical problems. The vehicles will cost about $350,000, County Administrator Clay Killian said.

Sheriff Michael Hunt requested 22 vehicles, but purchasing them will depend on the state's budget outlook at the beginning of the year, he said.

A surprisingly good budget led the council to unanimously approve a $100 holiday bonus for employees instead of the $50 budgeted.

The increase was made possible by savings from careful budgeting and a hiring freeze, Mr. Killian said. The hiring freeze alone saved more than $400,000. Employees will see the bonuses on Dec. 10 paychecks. The bonuses will cost the county about $100,000.

Council members are one step closer to choosing an architectural firm to design the county complex. Thirteen firms will be considered.

Chairman Ronnie Young said the agencies should be ranked before the council reviews proposals. Mr. Killian said he, two assistant administrators and the engineering director will rank the agencies on experience and qualifications and could present that list Dec. 8.

In other business, the council approved:

- The final reading of an ordinance to enlarge the boundaries of Valley Public Service Authority's service area to include Graniteville and Vaucluse.

- The third reading of an ordinance to amend the county code to allow Animal Control to humanely dispose of all feral animals.

- A resolution to authorize adding one vehicle to the county emergency services fleet.

Reach StephanieToone at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.