Town of Cheraw Prepares Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
Town Council's continued priority is Cheraw's aging water and sewer utility system. Progress is being made toward the estimated $80 million dollars needed to complete all of the required upgrades. These upgrades include the construction of a new water treatment plant to produce clean water, upgrades to underground water and sewer pipes, and upgrades to our wastewater treatment plant. This budget calls for a 20% increase in water and sewer rates. While water and sewer rates will continue to rise Cheraw's rates are still below the state average for water and sewer rates. You can compare Cheraw's water and sewer rates to other cities by going to the Rural Infrastructure Authority Website.
Recently the Town of Cheraw was awarded $10 million dollars from the South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program with the money going toward upgrades on underground utility lines, with work expected to start later this year and to be completed by the end of 2026. Concurrent with the SCIIP funding, the Town is working on funding the new water treatment plant. Senator Lindsey Graham has requested $4.4 million dollars for the new plant in the upcoming federal budget. If it is approved in the federal budget then this money would be used to begin site preparation and permitting. The Town has also been awarded an EPA Grant for $423,000 from the 2022-2023 Federal Budget that will also be used for site preparation. The Town is currently working with USDA Rural Development to obtain funding for the construction of the new water treatment plant.
There will be a public hearing on the proposed FY2023-2024 Budget at the June 13th Town Council Meeting.
FY2023-2024 Budget Draft