[0:00] and ask Mr. Rogers if he would to open our meeting with a prayer.

[0:06] » God, we thank you for the opportunity to assemble once again to do the business

[0:09] of the county. Guide our minds and help us to remember to be inspired by all

[0:14] those who came before us who work so hard to build Mary and Johnny up. Give

[0:17] us the wisdom and to continue to do the same. These are things we ask in son

[0:22] Jesus's name. Amen. Amen.

[0:27] Chairman Tenny is going to be a little bit late.

[0:30] He had something else come up and he'll be here shortly.

[0:36] Freedom of information announcement in accordance with the South Carolina code

[0:40] of laws 1976 as amended. The Marian Star Mother's

[0:44] Enterprise has been notified the date, time, place, and agenda of this meeting.

[0:52] Item four, approval of minutes from August 11th.

[0:55] » So moved. >> Second.

[0:57] » Motion second. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion signify by saying I.

[1:02] » I. >> Oppose. Likewise. The eyes have it.

[1:07] Resolutions.

[1:10] » By way of anything new, we have >> ordinances.

[1:15] » Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of council. Uh the first item, third

[1:19] reading of ordinance 2026-12. We need to hold on that until um the the

[1:25] company disclosed that public hearing for September the 8th. So we'll do that

[1:28] one then. The remainings are all three first readings. So just to remind you

[1:33] and those in attendance, we don't need to take action. Simply reading the title

[1:36] is sufficient. First reading of ordinance 2026-15, an ordinance to

[1:41] establish user fees for facilities, businesses, industries, corporations, or

[1:45] persons within Marian County who manufacture, transport, store, produce,

[1:50] process, or otherwise use hazardous substances in reportable quantities as

[1:55] defined by section 311 and 312 of the emergency planning and community right

[2:00] to know act and [clears throat] in title three of

[2:03] the super fund amendments and reauthorization act and to remove other

[2:07] to approve other matters related there too. Item C, first reading of ordinance

[2:13] 2026-16, an ordinance to approve a ground lease

[2:17] amendment between Marian County and Midtrans Corporation on real property

[2:21] located within the Maring County Airport to prove to approve a hanger lease

[2:25] amendment between Marian County and Medr Corporation for a hanger located within

[2:30] the Maring County Airport to authorize Maring County Airport Director to sign

[2:34] such amendments or to ratify his prior execution of the same, set forth a

[2:38] process for future releasing of airport property and hangers that is more

[2:42] streamlined without the necessity of adopting a new ordinance each and every

[2:45] time a hanger or ground lease area turns over so long as both the airport

[2:50] director and the county administrator authorize the same and to move to

[2:54] approve other matters related there too. Item D, first reading of ordinance

[2:59] 2026-17, an ordinance to approve an amendment to

[3:02] the Maring County noise ordinance to establish certain

[3:06] regulations and requirements for the discharge of fireworks in Marian County

[3:10] and approve to approve other matters related there too. That's all I have.

[3:15] » Thank you, Mr. Attorney. >> Committee reports,

[3:22] Miss Davis. >> Um, no. um report that as chairman.

[3:29] » All right. Committee number two has no report at this time.

[3:34] Legal update. >> I don't have anything in the section,

[3:36] sir. >> All right. Mr. Jimmy Ford and Sheriff

[3:39] Ryan Wallace inspection report.

[3:49] Members of the council by just wanted to come and give you a

[3:56] eight on our annual space on the board is required at a minimum standards

[4:01] for council on respect which was conducted by the

[4:06] South Carolina Department of Corrections as you recall the minimum standard for

[4:12] local teaching facility South Carolina and

[4:17] moving forward in the director Jimmy Floyd he's here and give

[4:24] you an update on our expectation reports and some concern for

[4:33] thank you for this opportunity council. We have the inspection report before you

[4:38] now I'm not presenting a new process. on

[4:42] presenting the problem that we've been identified by the department of director

[4:47] respect fire off the South Carolina association of counties and the

[4:50] nationally recognized consultants hired by the county the different problems

[4:55] reach you need to take action and not delay

[5:00] further first let me go with the good news

[5:05] before discussing the deficiencies and not

[5:09] think it's important to recognize how much progress County has made over the

[5:13] past seven years. In January of 2019 that inspection reported, there were 47

[5:21] identified deficiencies that the detention fund

[5:25] involves corrections and another 39 deficiencies identified by state fire

[5:30] marsh. As of 2024, that number had been reduced

[5:36] to nine. You bought the correction deficiency and four remaining bad fire

[5:42] marsh deficiency. Add up the 2026 report. There are no more fire market

[5:47] deficiency and only four remaining department of correction deficiency.

[5:54] Over [clears throat] the past several years, Mar County has replaced the

[5:57] facility roof, refurbished showers and bathrooms, deflazed plumbing fixtures

[6:02] and valves, repaired emergency lighting systems, created a medical examination

[6:08] wash area, replaced 10 aging HVAC units,

[6:14] remodeled four cell medical observation, suicide war cells, installed a body

[6:20] scanner,

[6:24] refurbish central control refurbished the booking area, created a secure

[6:28] public demog and we made it. [clears throat]

[6:33] We've installed approximately 40 additional security cameras. Now

[6:38] we've been building off locker room and breaking areas. We've expanded our

[6:42] storage capacity. We did three perfect administrative space and we construct

[6:47] building in preparations for the detention center expansion.

[6:52] These investments significantly improve the operations security and

[6:55] functionality through the detention center. The council deserve recognition

[6:59] and support in supporting all of those improvements.

[7:07] The problem today is no longer a maintenance problem. The June 2026 South

[7:12] Carolina corrections inspection reports

[7:16] identified four remaining deficit. The number of staffing of personnel

[7:23] classifications of the plan and classification review and initial plan

[7:28] need fundamentally different from the deficiency we have addressed in past.

[7:33] They're not wood problems. They're not plumbing problem. They're not HVAC

[7:37] problem. They're not maintenance problems. They are capacity problem.

[7:42] Classification staffing and facility design issues. No amount of renovation

[7:48] will solve these problem. What SCDC told us

[7:55] it specifically states that the facility cannot meet proper classification and

[8:00] separation requirements because of the design and size of the facility. The

[8:05] portfolio notice for staffing shortages contributed directly to the facility's

[8:10] inability to maintain compliance with these standards.

[8:14] The inspectors also acknowledge that man county is pursuing an expansion to

[8:18] alleviate earth crowding to bring facility in full compliance with mining

[8:21] jail standard. In other words, the state is telling us

[8:26] exactly what the consultants hired in 2024 has already. The issue is no longer

[8:32] a maintenance and repair issue. The issue is that we have outgrown the

[8:37] facility.

[8:40] Overcrowding has reached critical level. Mary County Detention Center was built

[8:45] at 98 the maximum rate of capacity of 96 million.

[8:51] Anything you look at from the killing professionals will tell you that a jail

[8:57] experience is overcrowding and overpopulation anytime you feel more

[9:01] than 85% of your maximum available beds because you're no longer able to satisfy

[9:06] separated inmate in Mar County with our maximum 9 bed rated inmate capacity that

[9:12] would relate to 80 inmate before we dims in January of 2026. six. Our average

[9:22] daily population has exceeded 120 inmates.

[9:26] That's 40 over our occupational capacity. We have had up to right at 150

[9:34] inmates and had to place emergency orders for

[9:38] mattresses in recent weeks because we did not have enough mattresses with 125

[9:43] mattresses to keep people from sleeping on the floor. Think about that for a

[9:48] minute. We have up to 150 inmates in a facility that should not have over 82.

[9:55] That is almost double what it should have held.

[10:01] That's no longer an occasional spike. These numbers have run fairly

[10:05] consistently because of that data. Average daily population has been close

[10:09] to 120 since January of this year. CDL who we paid as national experts to

[10:17] conduct a need assessment two years ago identified the problem.

[10:21] Their findings were clear. They concluded the facility only has three as

[10:27] constructed housing unit modern detention facility require

[10:32] significantly more housing unit to be able to properly classify separate. They

[10:38] identified that the jail becomes functioning full

[10:42] at approximately 80 to 82 inmates. Additional housing and separation space

[10:48] is necessary for safe and compliant operations.

[10:53] Perhaps most importantly, CDL concluded that the Marian County should plan for

[10:58] adding approximately 120 additional beds to meet housing requirements.

[11:04] Today our average daily population is already pushing the limits of the

[11:10] numbers that CGO proposed two years ago. The future need identified in 2024 is

[11:18] our new current reality. Classification is a safety issue. When

[11:24] people hear the word classification, it may sound administrative, but it is not.

[11:28] Classification is one of the most important safety functions that takes

[11:32] place inside of an extension facility. Classification determines how inmates

[11:37] are separated based upon their file violent behavior, their charges, mental

[11:42] health concerns, medical needs, disciplinary status, sentence versus

[11:49] pre-trial status, and other vulnerability factor.

[11:54] CGL determined that the current facility lacked sufficient housing area to

[11:59] properly manage those population. As a result, staff is forced to make

[12:03] housing compromises simply to keep the facility operating.

[12:08] The more overcrowded the facility become, the more difficult these

[12:11] decisions become. Mental health needs have changed

[12:15] dramatically in the last several years. One of the most significant findings of

[12:20] the CBO assessment was the growing mental health needed inmate population

[12:27] medical providers estimate that 70 to 80% of our current inmates require some

[12:32] level of mental health following the county to be commended in this area

[12:36] because we've gone from telea health mental health to having a full-time

[12:41] mental health counselor two days a week through a contract with the department

[12:45] of mental health. But the facility was never designed nor built to handle that

[12:51] level of need. Currently we have to use booking sales frequently to house mental

[12:56] health inmates because we do not have proper sales to booking. We have to use

[13:01] them to house suicide or because we do not have proper sales for cooking.

[13:07] The same goes for medical observation inmates and inmates that must be placed

[13:11] in protective test. That is the violation of the stat

[13:16] booking sale meant for temporary housing.

[13:19] When booking sales are used for long-term housing, there are no longer

[13:23] available for their intended purpose. This creates additional operational

[13:27] challenges throughout the entire facility. The Mate population today

[13:32] looks much different than it would have been built. The facility design was

[13:37] never intended for these changes. Staffing itself is the same overall.

[13:44] 2026 Department of Corrections inspection cited staffing deficiency

[13:48] that it had everyone since I had been together.

[13:52] The national standard that staffing assessment conducted by by

[13:57] the associated county previously concluded has concluded every time it

[14:01] has been conducted. Marian County needs approximately 11 additional employees to

[14:06] adequately staff and operate the detention center.

[14:11] The inspection by SEDDC concluded the site.

[14:15] However, staffing alone was not solution. Even if every

[14:20] one of those positions were given to the detention center more and they were

[14:25] filled, the detention center would still be

[14:28] overcrowded. We'd still not be able to classify and

[14:32] separate. We would still not have the space we need to properly and safely

[14:37] have a thin maker. We will still face the same major

[14:41] operational challenge. Staffing and expansion must be addressed together.

[14:46] One cannot solve the other. I mentioned the proven camp issue only

[14:52] because if you look at the final page of the inspection report, that is the email

[14:57] that was sent to me by the director of the division of compliance and

[15:02] inspection from the department of corrections. Why it was sent to me? I do

[15:06] not know perhaps because I am the person of the state association and on the

[15:11] state of fans committee but the improvement camp does not fall under a

[15:15] million share it fall directly under the county administrator and county council

[15:22] but before discussing expansion council must understand the proven camp and the

[15:27] detention center are no longer separate station ever since 2019 when the county

[15:33] first hired Mosley architects We look at expanding the jail and closing. The plan

[15:38] has been follow the prison camp and incorporate service inmates and state

[15:43] inmates and be county paid for architecture plans doing

[15:50] that. >> The county has repeatedly presented that

[15:53] same plan. The department of correcting tried to make it through the upgrades

[15:59] and improve improvements in preparation for doing that.

[16:05] Department of Correction based on that email is now asking for answers.

[16:16] What is the risk in failing to act

[16:22] in program with an extremely valuable workforce that will be extremely hard to

[16:27] replace?

[16:31] Doing nothing do not maintain the status quo any longer. Doing nothing at this

[16:38] point will change the status quo. The cost of delay also continues to grow.

[16:46] We have already completed much of the work that's necessary to prepare for the

[16:50] expansion bill. We've conducted professional needs assessment. We've

[16:54] hired nationally recognized detention consultants. We've developed expansion

[16:59] concepts. We've previously play paid for architectural planning and design. I

[17:05] will say that thankfully we did not move forward plans because those plans would

[17:11] not have solved the problems that we're looking at.

[17:16] [clears throat] We have constructed a support building

[17:20] that have expanded laundry and expanded inmate property all in preparations for

[17:26] an expansion to the detention center. The project that we designed and bid out

[17:32] in 2020 will be cancelled and unfortunately since that time

[17:37] construction cost increased dramatically.

[17:40] County could have in 2019 satisfied these needs for approximately

[17:47] $12.5 million. The estimate to satisfy the needs now is

[17:52] approximately $25 million. Every year that we delay, construction

[17:59] costs are only increasing. In 2024, when CPL first did our needed assessment, the

[18:05] average construction cost for a square foot in rated construction was around

[18:10] $500. Two years later, it is now $600 a square foot. It is not going to become

[18:18] any cheaper.

[18:22] When you look at it like that, the expansion will never again be any

[18:25] cheaper than what it is today. The county already has the answer. For

[18:32] years, Marian County has studied this issue. We paid experienced professionals

[18:36] to tell us what is needed. Every major review, every inspection comes to the

[18:41] same conclusions. South Carolina Department of Corrections have

[18:44] identified the deficiencies. The South Carolina Association of Counties

[18:49] conducted staffing assessments and identified the deficiencies.

[18:54] CBL management group identified the facility deficiency, the population

[18:59] need, the future space deployments, and the expansion options that would best

[19:03] fit N County's ability to staff and fund department. Corrections have repeatedly

[19:10] discussed through county department and irrigation to operation. There are

[19:15] going to be family detention facility. At this point there are no unansured

[19:20] weather. Support building is completed. The studies have been completed. The

[19:25] inspections are completed every year. The planning is complete. We know what

[19:31] need to be done. The only major step remaining is to move

[19:36] forward with the design and construction of the expansion.

[19:40] What happens if we don't and we continue to wait? The risk continues to increase

[19:46] the operational risk goes up and we certainly face more of the problem. The

[19:51] security risk and potential hindrance to the staff look we face greater inmate

[19:58] management chaffing risk. We are already seeing that an

[20:04] increased turnover, burnout and retention problem.

[20:08] The financial risk, higher future construction costs,

[20:15] compliance risk with continued department of correction.

[20:20] The legal division increased exponentiation involving overcrowding

[20:25] safety classification limiting medical care of consignment mental health

[20:30] services and staffing should only revive and we continue to increase. In

[20:37] conclusion, Chairman Kenny and members of the council for nearly a decade,

[20:40] Marian County has worked diligently to improve the detention center. We have

[20:44] fixed all the deficiencies that could be fixed. We have renovated the facility to

[20:49] the extent that we can do so. We have modernized operations.

[20:53] We have increased technology to improve those operation. We have hired experts.

[20:58] We've conducted studies. We have developed plans. We have built

[21:03] supporting infrastructure. We are prepared for the next step. The question

[21:08] before us today is no longer what should we do.

[21:13] The experts have already answered that question after many times. The real

[21:17] question is how much longer can we afford to wait before coming up with a

[21:21] plan taking action but every major assessment every inspection every study

[21:27] and every population trend points to the same conclusion. We must move forward

[21:31] through planning building expansion. Cost of action is significant but the

[21:37] cost of continued delay will be far greater. Thank you. this opportunity to

[21:43] make this presentation to you and the sheriff and I will welcome you in

[21:48] whatever way we can move forward and continue to resolve these

[21:57] question I thank you Mr. Florida,

[22:03] Jimmy, you know, I respect you to the utmost or where in the world are Mar

[22:07] County going to get 12 million or 25 million. That's the problem. I listen, I

[22:13] love you and I shift, but I'm tired of hearing about it. We either going to do

[22:16] something or do what we going to do. Dave, we ain't got the money. We didn't

[22:20] give the county employees every bit of raise.

[22:24] I'm sorry. >> I understand. I

[22:27] » I' never been to jail, but I want to go to jail. people over there somewhere.

[22:31] They was on Tanya Brown had all of it. He was everybody say I'm sorry and I'm

[22:37] not disrespecting you and Sheriff but you tell us if you tell us where we get

[22:41] the money we'll do it. I I imagine we do.

[22:44] » Then the only thing I can say to that is we met I met with y'all in January.

[22:50] » You did? >> And we proposed the plan then that would

[22:53] come over the money and no action was taken on that plan.

[22:57] » Well, in 2019 I was not on this council. Okay, that's the only thing I can say in

[23:02] regard to that. >> Well, like I say, you didn't get a

[23:06] raise. The sheriff didn't get a raise. Child, nobody got a raise.

[23:09] » Understood. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[23:13] » I mean, the only other thing I would say in the box and

[23:17] it's going to cost the county. >> I understand. And I'm a taxpayer.

[23:22] » The only question is how are we going to talk?

[23:28] Well, that's re we have to ask David

[23:35] question Mr. F. >> Thank you.

[23:39] » Thank you, Sheriff.

[23:43] Minister update.

[23:46] » Thank you, Chairman, council. I'm going to keep it short. I just want to let you

[23:52] know that um we have one more position to fill in EMS

[23:57] and that'll be the first time that we've had a fully staffed department in over

[24:00] 10 years. Um that's a significant accomplishment and I'd like to public

[24:04] publicly recognize Jamie Sawyer for the outstanding work he has done. Jamie's

[24:09] provided strong and steady leadership and I am extremely proud of the progress

[24:14] he and his team have made. Uh and second,

[24:19] uh Charles Taylor and myself will be going to uh Columbia on September 10th.

[24:25] And uh we will be going up against uh Buford Jasper for the uh Barrett Larore

[24:32] Memorial Regional Cooperation Award. Very excited about that with his uh take

[24:38] flight program and um really looking forward to uh being on that trophy. So

[24:45] that's all I got. Thank you.

[24:50] » Mr. Chairman, if if I could, Senator Williams,

[24:55] » one that we went to Washington to see Clber, Lindsey Graham,

[25:03] all our representatives, senators,

[25:09] » in an effort to try to get some money. Would you would you talk to that for a

[25:14] second? >> Yes, sir. We did uh

[25:20] Detroit

[25:27] and Tim Hawk County administrator. That's time we went to Har. We met up

[25:32] with our congressional delegation um trying to seek some funds funds.

[25:38] » We also went again too. He >> went twice. That's right.

[25:43] » And Joel. That's right. last time but she not too long ago long ago. So it's

[25:49] not like we haven't been trying to address this issue and we're very much

[25:55] aware of what we're facing there in terms of uh not being in compliance with

[26:01] SC department of correction

[26:06] and I thank uh Mr. turn around the mayor of the board of work and where we going

[26:12] to get the funding from we just don't have the funding that's why we're

[26:17] seeking some outside support both on the federal and state level we secure some

[26:24] funds on the state level about two and a half million dollars

[26:29] a few years ago to have address some of those vacancies that come signed at the

[26:36] detention center >> and als also um kind of make the

[26:41] difference a little bit when Mr. explor you know they came to council was

[26:46] composed of and we and we didn't we did we have nothing that was a public safety

[26:56] uh pen sales tax and unfortunately the citizens of this county do not support

[27:04] um that sales tax

[27:10] and Um uh to be honest, I think um we we

[27:18] probably we all of us probably could do a better job in educating public and to

[27:26] uh the importance of this these funds and what it will actually do address

[27:35] needs out there. We I was astounded to hear the numbers that their average

[27:43] day population 120 that is that is mind.

[27:50] We all know crime is up everywhere and the turn will set it right. You know

[27:56] it's not like Mary County is the only one that's experiencing this problem.

[27:59] It's all over the state. Of course that help us to solve our problem. make us

[28:05] feel better. But it it's a problem anyway. And and and that's what I like

[28:10] to um say to the citizens of this county. You know, that's a classic

[28:16] example of another unfunded mandate by the state,

[28:21] » right? >> That we have to provide this service to

[28:24] the citizens of the county. And you know where we going to get it from? You know,

[28:30] we don't have industry. uh you know benefit falls on tax paying

[28:35] the property own people already complaining about their taxes and how

[28:40] high they are and just be able to assess that you know how that goes

[28:46] probably [clears throat] going to go up and until we get some industry in here

[28:51] that's not going to change unfortunately but that is an unfunded mandate by the

[28:55] state government and we have those same unfunded mandates by the federal

[29:00] government that you have to provide those services and when we don't have

[29:05] industry when we don't have that place we got to raise your property taxes and

[29:09] you don't like that but remember when we raise your taxes we raise our taxes we

[29:15] pay taxes and that's the last thing we want to do that's why we didn't do it

[29:18] this year thank God we were fortunate enough not to have to raise property

[29:23] taxes this year but if you want to hear what is going on $25 million tax uh

[29:30] price tag to address our detention center

[29:33] deficiencies out there and as much as our family puts our entire county budget

[29:39] 26 million you process that we got to come up with

[29:44] a plan I think one one way of addressing that I think and it's about as fair as

[29:51] you can get to do the public sales tax one uh sales tax you know and everybody

[29:58] gets to pay you don't spend you don't pay. More you spend, the more you pay.

[30:03] And they tourist people coming into this county um spend the money they get to

[30:08] pay as well. 30% of that would come from people outside of this county. So that

[30:14] would make more sense. Um probably addressing that situation out there than

[30:21] any other that I can think of. There's no way you can ever raise the taxes in

[30:27] this county to generate $25. uh you know address that issue out there

[30:32] and we need those inmates. They're part of our workforce because if you know if

[30:37] the state comes in and said, "Hey, we we will no longer allow these state inmates

[30:42] to be here in America fill those slots." That means we're

[30:46] going to have to hire people or we have to cut services.

[30:50] Can't have it both ways. But that's kind of where we are. That's a conversation

[30:55] that we can have um at a later time. Thank you, sir.

[31:02] » Thanks, sir.

[31:07] Hey, >> say you in the airport director going to

[31:09] Columbia. >> Yes, sir.

[31:10] » Please drop him off at Bull Street. Come on back without him.

[31:13] » I got his room. >> Okay. [laughter]

[31:19] » All right. Requesting comments from members of council.

[31:24] » Mr. [clears throat] Rogers. I want to begin by acknowledging Senator Williams

[31:29] uh and Representative Atinson who uh this week was able to secure some

[31:34] significant funding um for their respective districts but particularly

[31:39] Marian County. Uh, I know there was initially $300 million in community

[31:44] project funding uh, and that was cut from the uh, state budget, but I think

[31:49] it's about 150 for the Senate and 220 for the house.

[31:56] » Yes. And so we were able to they were able to secure some great projects that

[31:59] are much needed. I know my district is very pleased. Um, and you kept the

[32:04] promise that you made to the people at the Saffold Center almost two years ago

[32:09] with that. And also, Representative Atinson working, he and I worked

[32:13] together with uh then Chief uh Wyman Watson uh to make sure we get a water

[32:19] facility down in the Woodbury area. Um there's over 10,000 acres of land, but

[32:24] no source to get water when there's a fire. Um, so I would just want to thank

[32:27] both of them for the work that they've done this particular session to make

[32:32] sure under challenging circumstances that we were able to still get some

[32:36] resources. Uh, I just want to mention that I saw that um, the city of Marion

[32:42] has moved forward with installing flock campers and uh, I guess as a question

[32:47] for the sheriff. Just want to make sure that's not going to be used for

[32:51] ticketing or uh rather at speed or taking pictures of people who might have

[32:56] a phone in their hands as it's been happening in other locations where

[33:00] people are just getting tickets in the mail. Um because of this service that

[33:06] they provide. Um I'm not against flock. I understand how it can be very useful.

[33:11] Um, but I just want to make sure that we have some kind of or you have some kind

[33:15] of plan in place to make sure there's no abuses that we've also seen in other

[33:20] areas um that have employed these flock cameras.

[33:26] » Uh yeah. Yes, sir. The uh city of Mar they've had a flock cameras for a couple

[33:31] years. Those cameras have been up. I would say uh

[33:37] the flock hammers are probably on the technology side best

[33:42] prime fighting tool we currently have the use in the flock cameras that needs

[33:49] to be addressed or the inquiries into them personal reasons whatever the case

[33:55] I would hope that that's not do away with all or there needs to be a policy

[34:02] guidelines when Somebody mess it up, they go into do it for personal use.

[34:06] Firearm charges. That's what being done across the state. Some sheriffs up

[34:13] friend Hobart Lewis up in Greenville. You know, he's had some issues with fire

[34:17] char whatever the case may be, but they are great uh tool to use. when the EMS

[34:26] Phoenician for was killed left here went to New Mexico where it

[34:32] can track him the whole time versus with these fly they'll kill you off license

[34:37] to my knowledge they're not used for speed catch a speeders are too easy to

[34:42] catch worry about a camera I mean you can go anywhere I mean using cell phone

[34:47] they're not used for you know they're license tag and where folks are going at

[34:53] pace missing later recent county called said we see where she come in county

[35:00] they never let we got to looking about the time she was uh the man had dementia

[35:07] and he's parked out at the uh um the comfort in

[35:13] great tool great tool not just crime but missing people they are a great tool to

[35:19] use we don't have currently any county any city does, but uh we we uh ask them

[35:26] a lot, you know, check this for crime fighting burgers. There needs to be

[35:29] policy. We my folks at the National Academy look at that, you know, what can

[35:34] we do to solve this problem this, you know, to do an inquiry case number

[35:40] or CAD number needs to be attached to so people just not randomly check that have

[35:45] a criminal case number or a CAD number through dispatch. That's just one way uh

[35:50] to look, but it does need to be addressed for misuse. Um hold those

[35:53] people accountable, but let's not get rid of a tool that is so important. But

[35:57] it could be my family member, your family member, anybody.

[36:01] » Well, I don't want to get I don't want to get rid of it. I just want to make

[36:03] sure it's not used to ticket people as it has in some locations might have a

[36:08] cell phone in their hand when they pass by

[36:11] » or they going over the speed limit. >> It's not monitor 24/7, is it?

[36:15] » No. >> Right.

[36:18] You have to have a tag, somebody's tag run against in this traffic and that

[36:23] rear that vehicle tag. >> But the question I have for you,

[36:26] sheriff, just like if another sheriff from upstate call you that came through

[36:31] our county suspect, you then contact the chief of police. Your deputies have no

[36:37] asset. >> Yeah, we have to have unless somebody

[36:39] allows us access. >> But do you have access? Do you and your

[36:43] deputy have? >> I don't know. We may one or two may have

[36:46] access. I think we may call Marion and have them. I I would have to check. I'm

[36:49] not >> physical.

[36:51] » It's kind of like D and D access you know inquires there but there has to be

[36:57] uh you know we don't want to get rid of I that's a great cool it's not it's not

[37:03] check you know how it is catchers I mean you know you know just anywhere you

[37:08] don't have to have a camera but it's captain tag.

[37:14] Thank you. I suggest shar we put a toll on 501 going to the beach. We be jail

[37:21] that's out of his >> jing.

[37:24] Huh? >> That is not his wheelhouse.

[37:26] » Well, we need to get a wheelhouse right now. They sure mean

[37:31] » I got you. Yeah.

[37:35] » Carolina Falls. That'd be a good one. Um I have two more things uh for the

[37:41] administrator. Um, no. We're very far in the hurricane season. I brought this up

[37:46] two years ago. I'd like for the county to start securing some locations so we

[37:51] can have some hurricane shelters and to enter into some agreements. Um, we have

[37:56] a huge population of people that live in mobile homes in this county. Um, and I

[38:02] know it was uh discussed about making sure there was some kind of formal

[38:05] agreement in place at least with some of the schools to be able to use those

[38:09] facilities if we have to move people or people are displaced. Um, but we never

[38:14] follow through with that. Um, the second question I have, um, I've

[38:21] been noticing how much, uh, uh, homes have been being built on Highway 378 and

[38:29] Conway coming towards us. I mean, it's right now at the caution light. Um, and

[38:34] it's coming our way. So, I know we we made an effort to discuss the issue of

[38:39] of impact fees in our comprehensive plan. Um, but I think need to go ahead

[38:43] and start moving forward looking at what we need to do. Um, because if you look

[38:48] at some of the property that's that that that's owned on Highway 370 through

[38:53] Marian County, there's some large tracks of land that's owned by uh people who

[38:57] could develop it very quickly. Um, and obviously in other parts of the county.

[39:02] Um, but I think we need to go ahead and get started on that conversation. Um,

[39:07] and I my question for uh I don't know if you can answer this, Mr. Attorney. Um,

[39:12] do you know when the fees from Project Bonfire will start crewing? When they'll

[39:18] come in, that for next year or >> it's it's based off of when they go into

[39:23] use. >> It's the I believe it's the fiscal year

[39:26] following when they put it into use. >> So, are they building something new? Are

[39:30] they going inside? >> I I am not sure. uh because it was none

[39:34] of that's really discussed in the ordinance part of it.

[39:38] » But so the inuse factor is really more of a do type of activity.

[39:43] » Uh whenever they apply for that to go into use is when that kicks in.

[39:47] » Okay. Um thank you for that. Uh just another

[39:52] comment for Senator Williams. The uh the signs are up now down at the landing

[39:58] brick necking look great. Um, I think everyone who goes down there to fish in

[40:03] the boat, they are really excited about having a a nice location to go to and

[40:09] get on the river. Um, so thanks uh DNR and those folks for that. Uh, and just

[40:14] to comment about what Senator Williams was saying, and it might be a little

[40:18] political, but um, this year in 2026, Congressman Clyburn secured $50 million

[40:25] in federal funding for his district. So, we're looking at these big projects. We

[40:30] need help and we need help from people who represent us on the federal level

[40:34] and they're the ones that ask for this help because the monies are there if

[40:38] they're willing to go and get it. But in order for a representative to be able to

[40:44] get that kind of funding, they have to have a partner in the US Senate who's

[40:48] also willing to get earmarks. And if you're not willing to get eararks, the

[40:52] state will not get funds. That's just a matter of fact. The great work that the

[40:58] monies that Mr. Cly burn secure for his district which we're no longer a part

[41:01] of. He was able to do that in partnership with uh Senator Lindsey

[41:05] Graham. Um so that's important because we're all paying federal taxes, but if

[41:11] we're not fighting to bring portions of that money back, other states are going

[41:14] to get them. So if you look at what Florida or New York State, um excuse not

[41:19] Florida, New York State, California, um other states who actively try to get

[41:24] federal eararks, they're getting in huge portions of money. That's why Alabama is

[41:28] booming. Uh Huntsville, Alabama is booming because of federal earmarks have

[41:33] turned that little town into a bustling city with federal projects. So that's

[41:38] where I think we're going to have to focus our attention. We don't have the

[41:42] money locally. The population does not seem interested in trying to pass a

[41:47] penny sales tax. We're going to have to aggressively pursue our legislators on a

[41:52] federal level to get us some funding assistance because it's available and

[41:58] it's possible. And if you look at these projects that Mr. Clyburn has just for

[42:02] 2026, you can see very easily how you could fit a project like this into a

[42:08] funding request um at the federal level. Thank you.

[42:16] No comments, Chris. >> Oh,

[42:20] » and I think that's what our senator saw when he arranged his meeting

[42:25] » in Washington DC. >> We probably need to do that again.

[42:31] » Yeah, it's going to have to be after the election. They're done now.

[42:35] » Um but January, really January, February, so we get the request by the

[42:41] time they go to the appropriation meetings, March, April. Go ahead.

[42:48] » I have a question for um maybe the attorney and county [clears throat]

[42:53] administrator. These old homes that we have throughout the county. I got

[42:57] several phone calls throughout my district. The tax lean that the

[43:02] commission that we have, you know what I'm talking about?

[43:05] The forfeited tax land. >> Yeah. Forfeit land commission. I got

[43:10] some homes in my district and they was asking for years

[43:16] to, you know, get the proper paperwork and I keep telling them we working on

[43:20] working now. They getting frustrated. So that's why I'm opening. They feel like

[43:23] we're not doing nothing. I'm not doing nothing. So that's why I'm asking you

[43:26] now since can we address that and where we at and why we're not getting no

[43:32] paperwork done. >> Okay. And I and I want to ask one thing

[43:35] just because of the beginning of the way you started to make sure I I'm aware of

[43:39] exactly what we need to do. You've got a a mobile home if it's sitting on the

[43:45] property and tax separately from the land. That's a different process than if

[43:51] it's the land. So do you know >> these are these are these are homes and

[43:55] um city of Marion in my district. I know there's two of them. Okay.

[43:58] » I'm getting calls. >> So the houses as well. It's not just

[44:01] home. >> Okay. But where we at with that? I know

[44:03] we talked about that several times and talked about getting part-time help,

[44:07] helping you all about that and it fell to the wayside. Where we at with that?

[44:10] » Yeah, the the most recent discussion that that we all had was dealing with

[44:14] the website and and giving us that ability to put those things out there

[44:19] pretty much on a weekly basis for sale and have people to, you know, make bids.

[44:24] Other other than that, you have to structure a sale similar to the tax

[44:28] sale. um that is very costly and very timeconuming to put together. So having

[44:34] that ability to just throw them out there as they get ready and people can

[44:38] bid uh and get them that is the most efficient and direct way to handle that

[44:43] problem. And and I've been saying that unfortunately way before you were even

[44:48] on council. So it it I I understand the frustration coming from the

[44:53] constituents. I understand the frustration coming from the council

[44:56] members because it's been frustrating me uh since I started here in 2008. Um

[45:02] » so again, administrator, this where we at with that?

[45:06] » We have a conversation several times about that. So where we at with that?

[45:10] The website get online. >> Yes, sir. We uh [clears throat]

[45:16] we uh we just posted the uh RFQ for the uh for the website and so we're in a

[45:22] process of trying to get a whole brand new website so that we could actually uh

[45:26] accommodate all of this all of these issues. So, I'm not sure how long that

[45:31] process is going to take for in terms of the uh website, but I do know that uh

[45:37] Chuck has been working on on getting a lot of those deeds cleared up, and I'm

[45:41] pretty sure you've got the majority of them taken care of.

[45:43] » Well, not majority of the forfeit land commission that that's the regular tax

[45:47] sale deeds. Yes.

[45:51] » But again, I'm I'm getting phone calls and they're frustrated and I am too

[45:55] because we've been talking about this over two years now.

[45:57] I I think it would be good for the forfeooted land commission to meet

[46:02] to have a meeting to assess where they're at because if I understand it,

[46:06] the the statute says they're supposed to meet uh once a month um with those four

[46:13] members, three members and the chair of the county council if the council votes

[46:17] to add the chairman of county council. I think that's where it needs to start.

[46:21] They need to have a meeting so you can actually see what all those properties

[46:24] are at. And and I actually like the process that the county of Florence,

[46:28] Florence County has where you can go to their building and ask them for a copy

[46:32] of the forfeited land commission list. Look up the property um on your phone

[46:38] and then make a bid right there. Now, you got to be able to pay it. You can't

[46:42] just make some bid and not have the money um and then go from there and just

[46:48] start uh moving these properties,

[46:51] » right? And I just think >> and that's actually what what this plan

[46:55] is supposed to be for. That's exactly what and and I didn't my first read into

[47:00] it wasn't Florence counties, but I have seen theirs. Um and and theirs is even a

[47:06] little bit more um liberal than what I was even thinking because theirs you

[47:11] don't even have to do it on the website. You just walk in the door and say, "Hey,

[47:15] I'll buy that one for, you know, $500." and they agreed to do it and it's ready

[47:20] to go. You just buy it. That I have a little bit of discomfort in that because

[47:25] there's you you get to a little bit of a fairness issue when you didn't somebody

[47:30] else is going to say, "Well, I didn't even know that property was available. I

[47:32] would have given $1,000 for it." So, that's why I like the website mechanism

[47:37] a little bit better because it gives time to post it. gives uh everybody, not

[47:41] just constituents, but everybody uh in the public a chance to see that it's

[47:45] there and some time to to make a bid and get the the the best that that we can

[47:49] get out of that process. I think that's a much fairer process than just somebody

[47:54] walking in and saying, "I'll take that."

[48:01] » So, I I'm I'll be looking for update next meeting, okay, on this. I need an

[48:06] update on this and before I can let my constituents know where we at.

[48:11] » Okay. Thank you, >> Mr. Flo and Chief. I want to I didn't

[48:18] want to disrespect y'all, but I just want to let you know we trying, but we

[48:21] just don't have the money and you understand. Maybe uh Senator can do

[48:26] that. Don't apologize y'all. I didn't mean no, but I just trying to be true.

[48:31] Thank you, chair. And I got

[48:36] Back to my question for you two. I got one particular address I give y'all

[48:40] later that I need looked at. Sure. >> In the city of Mar off of Gibson Street.

[48:45] Okay. >> All right.

[48:47] » Give it to me now or do you >> I have you don't have

[48:50] » I give it to

[48:57] » All right. Exeual

[49:00] matter matter personnel matter. Got a motion. Got a second. Any discussion

[49:06] on the first white

[49:21] made a motion come out of session in regular session.

[49:24] » So move second. >> Got a motion. Got a second. Any

[49:27] discussion? All in favor say I. I. >> Likewise I have it.

[49:33] Can I make a motion to adjourn motion?

[49:42] 10.

Marion County Council Meeting on 8/27/2026 at 7 PM video1786941849

Transcript