The Lancaster County Council is considering its largest tax increase since 2005.

The council is proposing an unspecified tax increase to cover the costs of ensuring safety at the county's courts, which includes court-mandated security at the former courthouse as well as security for courts in session at the municipal justice center, where court has been held since a fire destroyed the county courthouse early last month.

County Administrator Steve Willis said he expects the additional security to cost at least $800,000, which will equate to a 4-mill increase.

The last tax increase over 3.5 mills was in 2005, when the council increased taxes by 5.7 mills.

The decision to raise taxes comes before a meeting between S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal and county officials. The meeting is planned for this week, though no date has been set, to discuss court security and review the county's current security plan.

After the review, she is expected to order additional security, which will require more funding for the sheriff's department.

"We have absolutely no control over this," said Chairman Rudy Carter. "When she gives us her decree as to what we'll have to do, it's up to us to fund it."

The 4-mill increase - which represents $20 per $100,000 of assessed residential property value - would fund 12 new deputies at the sheriff's department specifically for court security. No new patrol deputies would be funded by the measure.

In previous discussions, the county was not allowed to increase taxes by more than 3.5 mills because of the state's restrictions on how much a county can grow its annual budget. Costs incurred from court mandates are the exception, Willis said. Willis expects the council to agree to whatever orders Toal hands down.

"I'll recommend that whatever it takes in order to satisfy the judicial system, we do it," Willis said.

"I don't want the council going to jail. If we don't follow a court order, we'll be baking files into cakes."

The council, which signaled unanimous support for an increase recently, will consider amending the budget to increase millage at the Monday, Sept. 8 meeting.