AIKEN, SC – Aiken County's $1.5 million budget cut for next fiscal year would mean having to keep its vehicles longer, according to the Aiken Standard.

In addition to deferring all but critical vehicle replacements for one year, the budget also proposes cutting assistance to the County's volunteer fire departments by $50,000, continuing with the hiring freeze, raising the health insurance costs for employees by 3.1 percent, and a delaying for at least one year construction of a new emergency medical services substation, reported the Aiken Standard.

Currently, there are 129 vehicles in the County fleet with more than 100,000 miles; of those, 64 have more than 150,000 miles. County Administrator Clay admitted the deferral of all but critical vehicle replacements does pose a risk, according to the Aiken Standard.