03.10.2026 Elected Officials Work Session Notes
Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Budget Review
This meeting started after Committee Meetings (around 9:45 am), functioned as a working session reviewing department needs and operational updates ahead of the FY 26/27 budget process. No votes were taken. None of the discussion is transcribed.
Sheriff’s Office
Crime Trends
Sheriff Whittle reported continued decreases in the county crime rate.
Crime rate changes reported:
2023: 2.5% decrease
2024: 8.1% decrease
2025: 13.1% decrease
Also, about 600 fewer warrants were issued in 2025.
Whittle: decreases largely due to technology investments made by the county, including the downtown crime center and expanded camera systems.
Judicial Philosophy
difference in judicial philosophy between Columbia County and some other jurisdictions.
local approach focuses on prosecuting offenders and imposing prison sentences
District attorney and judges actively working together with law enforcement.
Individuals committing crimes in the county without local ties (Sheriff mentioned gang members from South Carolina) banned from returning to Columbia County after conviction.
Discouraged some offenders from returning to the county - Deterrent effect
Technology and Capital Equipment
Technology infrastructure needs discussed, end-of-life equipment
Items referenced included:
servers
switches
Cisco system upgrades
Approximately $800,000 in capital equipment as part of the lifecycle replacement process.
Scott Johnson - funding certain items through capital funds rather than through the Sheriff’s operating budget.
Jail Operations
The Sheriff reported that a new jail pod is expected to open around late April.
Staffing needs discussed included:
4 employees to staff the new pod.
Additional courthouse deputies discussed due to increasing caseloads (civil).
Hiring two additional deputies could replace most of the overtime currently required for courthouse security.
Jail Renovation
Renovation of an older jail pod was discussed.
Items mentioned included:
lock replacement
plumbing fixtures
security upgrades
Estimated renovation cost mentioned: approximately $885,000. Work likely to occur after the new pod becomes operational.
Court System
Caseload
Judges reported increases in civil and domestic case filings.
Civil and domestic filings doubled since 2020.
state judicial workload assessment process, which determines when circuits qualify for additional judges.
Based on current trends, an additional judgeship could be needed within 2-5 years.
Virtual Court Appearances
Judges and Sheriff discussed continued use of video appearances for defendants located in the jail.
Technology reduced need for prisoner transport and lowered operational costs.
Juvenile Court
Juvenile Court officials reported:
105 court days held last year
743 hearings conducted.
DFCS bringing fewer cases to court - not due to fewer family issues, but possibly lower funding for DFCS at State level.
Juvenile Transport Issue
Department of Juvenile Justice previously allowed remote hearings during COVID but no longer does so.
Juveniles must be transported for court appearances.
State legislators may need to address the issue.
Coroner’s Office
Fee Schedule
The Coroner discussed fees paid to staff responding to calls. Fees have remained unchanged since 2009. Proposed changes discussed:
Call Fee: Now $200, Proposed $250
Out of Town Transport: Now $200, Proposed $250
Local Transport: Now $65, Proposed $100
Estimated impact discussed: approximately $26,000.
Staffing
Converting a high-volume contract position to a full-time role to reduce workload and provide retirement benefits.
Organ Donation
The Coroner reported that Columbia County ranked:
#2 in the state for organ donation referrals
#7 in actual donations
755 lives were saved through donations associated with the county.
Emergency Communications
Enhanced 911
Capabilities of the county’s enhanced 911 system.
text-to-911 (with locating ability)
submission of photos and video by callers.
Officials stated that many residents are unaware the service exists.
County Radio System
Officials discussed the countywide 800 MHz radio system used by public safety agencies and other departments.
Approximately 1,400 users are connected to the system daily.
Current fee: $50 per radio per year
Possible increase to $100 per radio per year was mentioned to help offset equipment replacement costs.
IT Infrastructure
Lifecycle replacement of network infrastructure used by multiple departments. Items mentioned included:
switches
camera network equipment
Emphasized the need to replace equipment before it reaches end-of-life to avoid larger system failures.