News Summary

Nominations for Aiken’s Choice 2025 contest are now open, running until June 15. New rules promote fair voting, including limits on daily votes per device. The community is encouraged to participate in recognizing local businesses. Meanwhile, the County Administrator has proposed a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year that avoids property tax increases while addressing staff requests and salary upgrades.

Aiken

Nominations for the Aiken’s Choice 2025 contest are now open and will be accepted until June 15, 2025. This annual contest, which highlights the best local businesses in Aiken, has become increasingly competitive. Past winners display their plaques proudly at their premises, showcasing their esteemed recognition among community members.

This year, organizers have introduced new voting procedures aimed at ensuring fair play in the contest. A significant change is the limitation on the number of daily votes that can be submitted from a single device. Voters must now complete at least 25% of the ballot in order to cast their votes. This aims to encourage more thoughtful votes and reduce any attempts at ballot stuffing.

Voting for Aiken’s Choice 2025 can be carried out online at postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/contests/aikenschoice/#. Community members looking to support their favorite local businesses are urged to participate actively within the nomination period.

Weather Forecast for June 4, 2025

On June 4, 2025, weather conditions in Aiken are expected to be cloudy with light rain, reaching a high temperature of 77°F. Winds will be coming from the east at 10 to 15 mph with a 70% chance of precipitation. In the evening, conditions are predicted to remain cloudy with showers, cooling down to a low of 67°F and a 50% chance of rain.

County Administration Updates

Amid the community engagement with local contests, Aiken County Administrator Brian Sanders presented the proposed budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year during a County Council meeting on May 6, 2025. Notably, the proposed budget includes no increase in property taxes. The General Fund totals $102,020,909 for both revenues and expenditures, while the total amount allocated for all funds in the proposed budget reaches $268,769,429.

This financial proposal also addresses a $19.5 million gap between requests and anticipated revenues. Despite the demand for staffing, only three new positions have been funded in the General Fund out of the 53 requested: a customer service specialist, an assistant finance director, and a clerk for the Voter Registration and Elections Office. The budget further accommodates funding for seven additional positions sourced from other funding avenues, which include roles such as a paralegal, an equipment operator, a school resource officer, and four custodians.

To retain quality employees, the proposed budget incorporates salary upgrades for 166 existing positions. However, it does not provide for a cost-of-living raise for county employees this year, which is projected to cost approximately $764,500 for a 1% increase. County Council Chairman Gary Bunker has expressed support for potentially implementing a 3% cost-of-living raise at a future date.

Fire District Resolution

In addition to the budget discussions, the County Council approved a resolution that divides Fire District 16 among four volunteer fire departments, following the conclusion of the previous contract with the Wagener Fire Department on April 30, 2025. The resolution passed with a vote of 8-1, with member Phil Napier opposing the division.

As the deadline for the Aiken’s Choice 2025 nominations approaches and the County Council finalizes its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, residents of Aiken are encouraged to stay engaged and informed about local matters that affect their community.

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Additional Resources

• Aiken’s Choice Nominations 2025
• Wikipedia: Aiken, South Carolina
• Pamela Evette on Judicial Reform
• Google Search: Aiken local government
• Patrick Newsome Named Principal
• Google Scholar: education in Aiken
• Aiken County Council Budget Update
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Government
• Aiken Choice Top Docs Nominations
• Google News: Aiken Choice

Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN

The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.