Irmo Town Council held a workshop March 3 to discuss the upcoming budget, a new town hall project, and potential revenue measures.
Dave Detwiler, project manager for ILCKCS, briefed council members on the planned $9.5 million town hall construction. Once all approvals are secured, the project is expected to take approximately nine to 10 months to complete.
Although a USDA grant has been approved to support the project, funding has not yet arrived due to the federal government shutdown and other delays.
Council is currently reviewing a proposed $13 million budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year, with adjustments expected before final approval in May.
Among the revenue options discussed was a three percent accommodations tax, often referred to as a “heads in beds” tax, which would apply to hotels, motels, and short-term rentals such as Airbnb properties. The tax could generate an estimated $125,000 annually. If enacted, the town would retain the full three percent; otherwise, the revenue would be shared with Richland County.
Council also considered increasing the utility franchise tax from four percent to five percent. The additional one percent could generate up to $200,000 annually. Franchise taxes are commonly charged by municipalities as a fee for utility providers to operate within town limits, and the cost is typically passed on to residents—estimated at about $2 more per month per household. If approved, the increase would not take effect until July 2027.
Irmo Police Chief Bobby Dale presented a year-in-review report for the Irmo Police Department, noting approximately 10,000 calls for service, 2,000 traffic stops, and 152 security-related events. Property crimes were identified as the most common incidents. Dale emphasized that as the town continues to grow, the police department must expand as well.
Council also discussed the possibility of installing new LED lighting in Irmo Town Park.
The town’s regular monthly business meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, March 24.
