Greenville County’s budget workshop Thursday turned tense as council members clashed over funding for affordable housing and law enforcement.
Affordable Housing Sparks Heated Debate
One of the sharpest exchanges occurred during a discussion on affordable housing. Councilman Frank Farmer directed pointed remarks at Councilman Steve Shaw after Shaw questioned the need for spending in this area.
“I’ve seen people having to pay for groceries with their credit card,” Farmer said. “I’m speaking, shut up!” he later added to Shaw.
Last year, Greenville County allocated $2 million for affordable housing. The proposed budget for this year includes $1 million. Shaw questioned whether unspent funds from the previous year should be returned to taxpayers.
“Nothing got spent that year, so that money is gone, as far as the taxpayers are concerned,” Shaw said.
County officials explained that the money cannot simply be returned. County Administrator Joe Kernell noted that Greenville County has a long-term funding commitment to the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority (GCRA) of roughly $20 million over 20 years—about $1 million annually. Because GCRA is a separate public entity, unspent funds are held in its accounts, not the county’s general fund.
“Every freaking year he does this! All he does is demonize affordable housing and Greenlink, and I’m not going to take it day after day after day,” Councilman Ennis Fant said.
Law Enforcement Funding Dispute
Approximately 15% of the proposed $500 million county budget is allocated to law enforcement. Under the plan, the sheriff’s office would receive about $88 million, which includes a 5% pay raise.
Sheriff Hobart Lewis has requested a roughly 12% increase—about $12 million—citing low deputy pay. County leaders say they can provide about $3.5 million more in the next fiscal year.
Much of the debate centers on deputy salaries. A state report shows Greenville County deputies have a minimum base salary of around $45,000, among the lowest in South Carolina. County officials, however, state deputies start at about $58,000.
A FOX Carolina fact check confirmed both figures are correct but measure different things. The state report reflects the minimum base salary, while the county’s figure includes required overtime built into an 85-hour biweekly schedule. Adjusted to a standard 40-hour workweek, Greenville deputies’ base pay is about $51,447—the lowest among South Carolina’s largest counties.
Raises and Step Increases
Councilman Curt McGahey said deputies also receive step increases based on experience, in addition to countywide raises. “If you’re a first-year officer last year, you got a 9% raise,” he said. Some deputies also received additional 3% increases, while the county provided a 6% raise last year. Sheriff Lewis noted that pay improvements are not uniform and that retention challenges remain.
Retention and Turnover Rates
County data shows the sheriff’s office has a turnover rate of about 10%, compared with a countywide average of 9.7%. Over the past year, 69 deputies resigned or retired from roughly 700 employees.
Kernell described retention as moderate, noting most deputies stay about five years, while other departments—including the detention center and animal care—experience higher turnover.
Budget Timeline
County Council is scheduled to hold a second reading of the budget on June 2. Three readings are required before final approval, and the new budget would take effect on July 1.
