[5:49] Mhm.

[17:19] » Mhm.

[26:54] » Mhm.

[29:46] » Our first order of business is to

[29:50] discuss discussion regarding the Board of Appeals

[29:54] assess assessment appeals. >> Okay.

[29:59] Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Um

[30:02] So, was approached by our our assessor, Melissa Mote, um

[30:08] regarding the Board of Assessment Appeals.

[30:11] I think they've got a number of vacancies,

[30:14] um in addition, I think they've got a number of board members that just really

[30:19] haven't been attending the meetings. Um it's really just kind of been the same

[30:23] board for many years. And really need to look at

[30:27] um a change of the board and filling some of the vacancies. Well,

[30:32] it was first brought to me that this is a legislative delegation appointment,

[30:38] but when I reached out to legislative delegation, they said, "No, that's done

[30:41] by the the county council." And so, I got with with uh

[30:46] attorney here and and I'll let her explain from there.

[30:50] » Okay, so, everybody's familiar with home rule, right?

[30:54] Prior to home rule, there were a lot of acts that were passed. And it was

[30:58] presumed that when home rule passed, it eliminated all those prior acts. It did

[31:04] not. And so, there's an act, it's Act 333,

[31:09] and it is specific that um the legislative delegation appoints these

[31:14] board members. I sit on a committee with SCAC, it's

[31:17] called the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, and we put together the the

[31:21] docket for Tim Winslow and and Josh to take to the State House to ask for new

[31:28] legislation and and um to rescind old statutes and things like that. And so, I

[31:33] had requested this time last year that Act 333 be revisited by the legislators

[31:39] and rescinded, and get new statutes put into place so we could you as council

[31:45] could appoint these members. Um it it didn't pass last legislative

[31:50] session. I have it on the docket again for this coming session. Our committee's

[31:56] uh meets in 2 weeks, the Intergovernmental Committee for SCAC.

[32:00] Um I had asked Jeff if he would call

[32:03] Senator Cromer. I don't know whether he did or not. I fully intend to do that

[32:08] and and explain to Senator Cromer just exactly what I'm explaining to y'all.

[32:12] But right now, you do not have the legislative authority to appoint to this

[32:16] board. And my concern would be if you go ahead

[32:19] and do it anyway, any decision they make could be legally challenged

[32:24] successfully.

[32:27] » So, in essence, we're just going to That's was kind of an update that this

[32:30] is a This is a a revolving issue that we're trying to

[32:36] help Melissa get resolved, but we'll just have to work with our legislative

[32:40] delegation for now to see if we can't get them to move forward with some

[32:44] appointments to the Board of Assessment Appeals. Um we just kind of wanted you

[32:48] to be aware of where it's at statutorily and

[32:52] and there seems to be some back and forth on who has the authority to

[32:55] appoint to this board, but right now our stance is it's the

[32:59] legislative delegation. >> And the Association of Counties agrees

[33:02] with me. That that act is very clear.

[33:08] » Any questions before we move on?

[33:12] » So I do have one quick one. Um

[33:16] So at this point I don't know how many members we're we've got on that board.

[33:22] Um Do

[33:25] I guess how critical is it? Can the board function

[33:28] as it currently sits or do we need be making more phone calls to our

[33:33] delegation? >> You want to update

[33:35] » You want me to email this morning? Sorry, that you sent to me.

[33:39] » Yes. Um >> Um will you go up there for me?

[33:42] » I can't.

[33:50] Um we have a liaison in the GIS department

[33:56] that coordinates all board hearings and

[34:00] we had one here a month ago about a month ago.

[34:05] We had two board members to appear.

[34:09] Uh so we had to reschedule because we actually needed three to have

[34:13] a quorum. Um

[34:17] so we have another one scheduled for September 15th and we are just hoping

[34:23] that the third person that says he will

[34:27] appear will um because

[34:31] two of them um are stating that they just don't have time for it anymore. So,

[34:38] but we have seven board members is what we need and we

[34:43] only have two that appear every time. So, that's kind of what we're facing.

[34:49] And you know, if we have to keep rescheduling

[34:53] um

[34:56] it just doesn't look good on our part. Um

[34:59] and then you know, we can't go any further like

[35:04] to administrative law court or any of the other procedures that we need to

[35:08] follow. >> Are are the the board members, are they

[35:12] appointed uh by district? Similar to what our other boards are that we do?

[35:19] » It appears to me that they are. >> So, we would have one representative

[35:22] from each one of our districts. >> Yes, sir.

[35:25] » Andrew, can you get us a list of those board members and what districts they

[35:30] represent? >> Yes.

[35:33] » We can get that to you. How do we uh communicate with these board members

[35:37] about meeting times and dates? >> Um Beth Conner, who is the liaison in

[35:43] the office, um emails them or >> Okay, so we've done our

[35:47] » Yeah, due diligence. Yes, sir. >> you.

[35:49] » Yes. >> How many vacancies do you have now

[35:51] versus just inactive? >> Um

[35:55] I would say five. >> Five vacancies?

[35:58] » Yes. Because the two that appear

[36:03] I mean, they're consistent from what I hear, but um

[36:08] » And and to something that council could consider if you once you you get the

[36:12] names of the the folks and find out what districts they're in, if you want to get

[36:18] me names of folks in your district, when I call Senator Cromer, I will ask him,

[36:23] could he consider these folks for appointment now and then we'll we'll

[36:27] deal with Act 333 as the legislative session comes upon us. At least that way

[36:32] we can get someone in the seats uh legally.

[36:37] » And they have expressed the interest that they do not have time to serve.

[36:43] » From an email that I received from Beth, um

[36:47] they >> Sure.

[36:50] » That's kind of how it looks. >> making that comment.

[36:52] » Sure, I understand. >> Right. I mean

[36:55] » I understand it's a commitment. >> Yes.

[36:59] » Thank you.

[37:04] » All right, our next item is discussion of resolution 06

[37:10] 2026 establishing a vision of zero policy for Newberry County and

[37:15] committing to the elimination of traffic fatalities [clears throat]

[37:18] and serious injuries on our county roadway system.

[37:24] » Okay. >> Uh so, as everyone's aware at this

[37:26] point, we received a Safe Streets for All grant. We've been going through the

[37:30] process of community engagement and community involvement meetings

[37:34] throughout the county, stakeholder group meetings with our municipalities, law

[37:38] enforcement agencies, among many others. Uh as this process been going on, it's

[37:43] all about creating an uh safety action plan for the county, which can then move

[37:48] us to the next step of implementation funding to start implementing some of

[37:54] the priority projects that have been identified through this process.

[37:57] Uh one of the things that is required of the grant

[38:01] um is an adopted safety action plan and a vision zero policy that is required as

[38:08] a condition of future grant funding for mitigation projects. So, this is merely

[38:14] a requirement of the grant that we adopt this resolution

[38:18] uh to allow ourselves the opportunity to have access to future grant funding

[38:22] through this grant opportunity. Thank you, Ted.

[38:27] Any questions on it? Cuz we also have uh Scott saw yours here. He's been leading

[38:32] this process. So, if there are any questions about it,

[38:36] he's here.

[38:40] Okay. All right.

[38:43] Moving on to item four. That's a discussion regarding New Iberia County

[38:47] taxiway rehabilitation project and parking lot project update by Adura

[38:52] Consultants. Okay. You want me to kick it off real

[38:55] quick while we're here. As you will recall a couple months ago,

[39:01] we had uh we bid for the taxiway rehabilitation

[39:05] project. The bids actually came back very good. We awarded the contractor.

[39:09] We're able to put the parking lot scope of work in, which was bid as an

[39:13] alternate into it. Uh so, we we gave our notice of intent to award to to

[39:18] Satterfield, who was the lowest bidder. Um the next step was to actually apply

[39:24] for the FAA funding. Well, we did. And unfortunately, I think

[39:30] uh he can dive further into the details, but we were not funded

[39:34] um by the FAA, which more or less just kind of takes away all the funding that

[39:39] we had, the millions of dollars access to or thought we were going to have

[39:43] access to, but uh I'll turn it over to Luke now and let

[39:48] him update more on the details. >> Yeah.

[39:51] Um so, like Ted said, back in April, we bid the project. It was awarded. Um

[39:57] we wrote a conditional letter of award to Satterfield, just telling them that

[40:02] basically, "Hey, we we want to award this project to you, but it's contingent

[40:05] on the FAA giving us funding for it." Um so, the taxiway portion of the

[40:10] project estimated um with our consulting services plus all of the construction

[40:15] costs was about 1.6 million and then the terminal parking lot was about two and a

[40:21] half 250,000.

[40:23] Um the portion of the project that the FAA did not provide was AIP funding. Um

[40:29] that's discretionary funding. It's something

[40:32] that you have to compete with. Um so we applied for the grant. Uh they let us

[40:37] know two three weeks ago that they were not

[40:41] able to secure that funding for us. Um that it was had to be provided to uh

[40:46] another airport, potentially a commercial service airport with a bigger

[40:49] project with a need for that fund. Um we tried to

[40:55] uh talk with Tia, talk with Josh. Tried to uh move the parking lot project

[41:00] forward, but we didn't feel like it was fair to Satterfield to miss out on the

[41:04] 1. 6 million dollars of the taxiway. Um and additionally, the the remaining

[41:11] funds that we did get, which is um the bill funding uh building infrastruct

[41:17] building infrastructure legislation grants. Um we did get that funds, but it

[41:24] would not be enough to cover construction observation, construction

[41:27] administration of the project. Um so at this time

[41:31] the plan is to rebid the project again next spring 2027.

[41:37] Um it is highly likely that we will receive funding for that next year.

[41:43] Um Any questions?

[41:46] » The the grant, the building grant that you

[41:49] mentioned that we did get. >> Right.

[41:52] » Is there a timeline on that that it will expire?

[41:55] » It It will roll over till next year. So we

[41:58] will be able to use that funding next year for that project.

[42:01] » Okay. >> Um

[42:03] but as far as the timeline goes, I believe there's a

[42:06] two-year process on that. I'm not entirely sure of the exact time frame

[42:10] that it'll be available. >> Okay.

[42:12] » Um but it is the intention to use it next year so that we don't lose it. Um

[42:17] another good thing is that right now the airport

[42:21] has approximately $600,000 of entitlement funds banked up from past

[42:25] years of no project work or not using those funds.

[42:29] Um so next fiscal year we will have that money as well. So it's just even more

[42:34] likely that we'll get the funds from the FAA to move forward with both of those

[42:38] projects at the same time. >> So the funding for this project is

[42:42] basically through funds that the airport already has plus the grant money that

[42:46] we're talking about. >> Correct. So the FAA provides uh next

[42:50] year it'll be 90% [clears throat] of the funding and then the state and uh the

[42:54] county will provide 5% each. Um

[42:58] so >> So so we will

[43:00] I I guess it's county funds but it's it's airport funds. It's Correct. It's

[43:05] what it's been. >> Yeah.

[43:06] » Okay. >> So um

[43:08] the the county has already planned for those funds to be utilized. And I

[43:11] believe we can roll those funds, keep those for next year and then so they'll

[43:15] be available for the match for the FAA grant next year.

[43:19] » Okay. >> Okay.

[43:22] Anything else? >> Thank you.

[43:24] » Thanks, sir. For what it's worth, I agree. I don't I wouldn't want to

[43:27] piecemeal it. So I'm glad >> Right.

[43:29] » This way to do it right to start with. >> I concur with that.

[43:36] » Our next item on the agenda is executive session to receive legal advice

[43:40] regarding a capital project sales tax project contract. We have a motion

[43:46] to go on executive session. >> So moved.

[43:48] » Motion by Mr. Johnson, second by um

[43:53] Councilman Reeder. Any discussion?

[43:57] All in favor? It is unanimous. We'll be in executive

[44:01] session [music] in 5 minutes.

[47:59] » Mhm.

[49:54] » Mhm.

[1:01:24] » Mhm.

[1:03:19] » Mhm.

[1:05:14] » Mhm.

[1:09:04] » Mhm.

[1:11:11] » Come out of executive session.

[1:11:17] Motion in a second. Um

[1:11:20] Any discussion?

[1:11:23] All in favor?

[1:11:27] Council met in executive session for legal matters. No action was taken.

[1:11:34] Next item on the agenda is it was unanimous vote on coming out

[1:11:38] of executive session. Next item is adjournment. We have a

[1:11:41] motion for adjournment.

[1:11:44] Second. All in favor?

[1:11:50] We're adjourned until the 6:00 meeting.

[1:14:49] » Mhm.

[1:16:44] » Mhm.

[1:18:39] » Mhm.

[1:20:34] » Mhm.

[1:24:24] » Mhm.

[1:28:14] » Mhm.

[1:29:40] » It is 6:00. I like to call to order the Newberry

[1:29:44] County Council uh

[1:29:46] meeting for September 2nd. Chairman Seeley sends his regrets. He's

[1:29:51] away on a family trip this week and unable to attend.

[1:29:56] Our second item on the agenda is the invocation and pledge by Councilman Leon

[1:30:00] Fuller. >> Thank you.

[1:30:03] » [clears throat]

[1:30:06] » Dear Lord, we come to you tonight as your humble servants.

[1:30:10] Hallowed is your name. We thank you for this county. We thank

[1:30:14] you for the staff, employees, and the volunteers to keep this county running.

[1:30:20] We thank you for the opportunity to serve the citizens of the county.

[1:30:24] And we ask that you remember help everyone to remember that the things

[1:30:29] that divide us are few. The things that unite us are many.

[1:30:34] Those things that unite us together are much more important than those that

[1:30:40] divide us. >> Thank you.

[1:30:41] » For these and whatever else you see that we may need, we humbly ask in your name.

[1:30:46] » Amen. >> Amen.

[1:30:47] » Amen. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag

[1:30:51] of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one

[1:30:56] nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[1:31:07] » [clears throat] >> Item number three is our adopting the

[1:31:10] minutes. Newberry County work session

[1:31:14] August 19th, 2026. Newberry County Council minutes August 19th, 2026. And

[1:31:20] Newberry County Economic Development Committee August 24th, 2026.

[1:31:26] I'd like to take all three of the three of those as one if there are no

[1:31:29] objections.

[1:31:34] Uh >> [clears throat]

[1:31:35] » all in favor of accepting the minutes? Uh

[1:31:38] » Mr. Carroll. Can you tell me about the first and second motion?

[1:31:43] » First was >> It was Councilman

[1:31:44] » Mr. Reader. >> Councilman Reader.

[1:31:46] » And then the second was uh Councilman Scurry.

[1:31:50] Any discussion? All in favor?

[1:31:55] It is unanimous. Item number four, the approval of the

[1:32:00] agenda. >> Um,

[1:32:02] » Mr. Vice Chairman, I'll take it real quick. Um,

[1:32:06] we would ask there was a scrivener's error with regards to the agenda

[1:32:10] tonight. Um, if I use that term correctly. Thank you. Um,

[1:32:16] item 8D, ordinance 808-05, 2026. Um, the public hearing with

[1:32:24] regards to the multi-county industrial business park, it was actually

[1:32:28] advertised for next meeting on September 16th and was placed under public hearing

[1:32:34] by error tonight. So, we would ask that council, um,

[1:32:38] um, approve the agenda, but with the removal of 8D from the agenda tonight.

[1:32:46] » Is there a motion to remove, uh, 8 Delta and approve the agenda for tonight?

[1:32:50] » I'm make a motion that we amend the agenda, um, and move, um, item D to

[1:32:56] » September 16th. >> Motion by Councilman

[1:32:59] Peterson, second by Councilman Scurry. Any discussion?

[1:33:04] All in favor? It is unanimous.

[1:33:12] » [clears throat] >> Item number five is our, uh,

[1:33:15] administrator's report. >> All right. Got two quick items tonight.

[1:33:18] The first one being, uh, just a reminder to everyone that next Monday, September

[1:33:24] 7th is Labor Day holiday and county offices will be closed that day.

[1:33:29] Um, the second thing, and I'm I'm I'm calling the sheriff in just a minute to

[1:33:33] help recognize a couple names that he told me earlier this morning,

[1:33:37] but I am happy to report that, uh, Senator Cromer, um,

[1:33:42] did put in a number of earmarks for Newberry County. Um,

[1:33:46] we didn't think that the earmarks were going to be a possibility a few weeks

[1:33:50] ago as all earmarks were removed from the state budget, but they came back

[1:33:54] into session last week, and, uh, the Senate was able to get all of their

[1:34:00] earmarks pushed through. So, what does that mean for Newberry

[1:34:03] County? Right now, we have a right at $787,000

[1:34:08] earmark that can go towards the engineering and design of the future

[1:34:13] joint city and county public safety facility that

[1:34:17] is being proposed out on 219 near the interstate so that we can get that

[1:34:21] engineering and design started. The second earmark was for $500,000

[1:34:28] for the Sheriff's Department towards the new record management system, jail

[1:34:32] management system, CAD system.

[1:34:36] And also, just to say on that, we had actually

[1:34:40] budgeted 300,000 in this year's budget for the record management system. So,

[1:34:45] with that half a million dollar earmark being approved, that is now funds that

[1:34:51] we will, once we get this done, we will be able to kind of put those back in and

[1:34:55] look at other uses for The last thing was the Rosenwald School

[1:35:01] did receive a $20,000 earmark. So, just a special thank you to Senator Cromer

[1:35:06] for for entering these earmarks into the state budget and uh

[1:35:12] I know that he was persistent in pushing for these and and put a lot of legwork

[1:35:16] into getting people on board. So, we're thankful and the governor did sign off

[1:35:21] last night and did no vetoes with regards to the Senate. So, it is good to

[1:35:26] go at this point. Now, the Sheriff did call me this morning. There were a

[1:35:29] couple names that you said also needed to be recognized for the half a million

[1:35:34] dollars. >> Probably would not have happened,

[1:35:37] especially on the public safety side, if it wouldn't have been for Sally Foster.

[1:35:41] No kin. She's executive director of the South

[1:35:45] Carolina Sheriff's Association. And

[1:35:49] Cindy Conderus, who is the um

[1:35:55] principal for the Internal Order of Police of South Carolina,

[1:35:59] uh who works with the former chief of SLED, Robert Stewart.

[1:36:04] They worked really hard to make sure that the law enforcement

[1:36:06] [clears throat and cough] public safety got the money,

[1:36:09] uh the local fund grants is what they call it now. They are marked a rose by

[1:36:13] any other name. But, um

[1:36:16] they they are That was cut completely out of the budget.

[1:36:21] Um but,

[1:36:22] when they came back to vote on some other things, they made sure that that

[1:36:26] got taken care of. There's a lot of money cut out of that as well for COs

[1:36:31] and nonprofits, but public safety got everything they needed.

[1:36:35] » All right. Thank you. I didn't want to leave them too out cuz you called me

[1:36:38] this morning to let me know that. So, >> can tell you it would not have uh

[1:36:43] it would not have happened had it not been for them.

[1:36:45] » So, a special thank you to Senator Cromer and and and those individuals for

[1:36:50] helping to get those earmarks through. That's all I have for today.

[1:36:54] Thank you, Ted. Our next item on the agenda,

[1:36:59] a public appearance by Newberry County Auditor, Donna Lominack, to set the

[1:37:03] fiscal year 2026-2027 tax levy.

[1:37:14] » Mr. Chairman, uh Vice Chairman, members of County Council, and the public

[1:37:19] gathered here tonight. I stand before you honored and humbled for the 18th

[1:37:24] time to recommend the fiscal year 26-27 Newberry County tax levy. I want to have

[1:37:30] to give a big thank you to Debbie Cromer this year, our finance director. As most

[1:37:35] of you know, our assessor left in the middle of reassessment. Uh she retired

[1:37:39] on us. So, Debbie was really a big asset this year to the auditor's office. Also,

[1:37:44] I'd like to thank Cameron Bremner, Cameron Smith, and Ted Laukadoo for

[1:37:49] their expertise. I think we make a good team. Together, we got it done

[1:37:54] with a few little bumps along the way. Speaking of Ted, I want to let council

[1:37:58] and everyone know here tonight that I personally think he is a blessing to

[1:38:02] Newberry County. In the short time he has been here, he has proved to me he

[1:38:07] wants the best for our county and the employees, regardless.

[1:38:12] Since I came to work in 1977, we have had 11 administrators and three interns.

[1:38:19] Five of these have been the last five years. We need to stand together and

[1:38:23] appreciate his abilities and him. He's willing to work, and that's what I like.

[1:38:29] Thank you to my office, Melinda, Shannon, Chris, and Kim. And

[1:38:33] Melinda's here tonight, my deputy auditor. Without her,

[1:38:37] I might not be standing here. Okay, as Newberry County Auditor, I'm

[1:38:42] officially stating the 2026 tax levy for all county and school bonded

[1:38:47] indebtedness purposes as authorized by Section 4-15-150

[1:38:53] and 59-71-150 of the 1976 Code of Laws of South

[1:38:58] Carolina. I am presenting the 2026 tax levy for

[1:39:02] school ordinary purposes as set by the Newberry County Board of Education per

[1:39:08] letter dated July 20th, 2026, which states the 2026 school ordinary

[1:39:15] tax levy be set at 180 mills. And that's the same thing it was last year. They

[1:39:21] did not change it. For County of Newberry Budget Ordinance number

[1:39:25] 4-1-2026, I am recommending county levy 122

[1:39:31] and 6/10 mills for county ordinary purposes. County General Obligation

[1:39:36] Bonds of 2020A, I am levying 5/10 of a mill. The County

[1:39:42] general obligation bonds of 2020B, I I am levying 2/10 of a mill,

[1:39:47] county general obligation bonds of 2018C, I am levying 3/10 of a mill.

[1:39:53] Lease purchase, which is new this year, I am levying 1 and 2/10 mills. I am

[1:39:58] recommend the county council levy 6.2 mills for community services for a total

[1:40:05] 26 levy for county purposes of 131 mills. Last year it was 130.

[1:40:14] For school purposes, the Newberry County Board of Education has levied the 180

[1:40:19] mills and for the general obligation bonds, I

[1:40:23] am levying 53 mills for a total of 2026 levy for school purposes of 233 mills.

[1:40:30] The total levy for county purposes is 131 mills, which is a one mill increase

[1:40:37] from last year. And for school purposes, it's 233 mills. The total 2026 tax levy

[1:40:44] for both county and school purposes is 364

[1:40:49] mills. The anticipated value of the mill for 2627 for county purposes is

[1:40:55] $201,710.

[1:40:58] For school purposes, it's 209 and $64. And for school purposes, school

[1:41:05] operating is 132,587. Of course, the difference there is

[1:41:10] because uh the state gives us legal residency

[1:41:14] exemptions. So, we have a difference on the two levies for the millages the um

[1:41:19] county purposes for the school purposes of the value of the mill.

[1:41:24] And respectfully submitted, Donna Lominack. Does anyone have any

[1:41:27] questions?

[1:41:31] » I just want to say I applaud you and the county for all that you you do every

[1:41:36] year and you come up with these the millages and you don't raise

[1:41:42] things much. So, I applaud the job that all of you did this year.

[1:41:48] » Thank you very much and County Council, I applaud you for holding the tax rate

[1:41:52] like it is by your budget. >> That That's what I

[1:41:56] appreciate you so much. This This Council

[1:41:58] um I know we hear a lot of the bad, so I just want to say this Council made a

[1:42:02] decision last year with reassessment going on and all the things are going

[1:42:07] on, we were going to hold the line on taxes even though things around us were

[1:42:11] increasing and that we made the decision, but you all made it happen and

[1:42:16] so [clears throat] it's a lot easier to decide something than it is to make it

[1:42:19] happen. So, I give kudos to you and the entire team that you mentioned,

[1:42:24] um but I also think that that that speaks volumes about the Council being

[1:42:28] committed to the people of this county. And that we understand taxes are a

[1:42:32] strain. >> Oh, yes. Glad to work with y'all.

[1:42:35] » Thank you so much. Thank you again.

[1:42:41] All [clears throat] right, our next item is the public hearings

[1:42:45] and we'll do these in in order from alpha to Charlie.

[1:42:49] Uh the first ordinance is going to be

[1:42:52] 0801-2026.

[1:42:55] And that's the authorization to execution of an equipment lease purchase

[1:42:59] agreement in the amount not exceeding $2,475,000

[1:43:03] for the purchase of one Tatra, two ambulances, one dump truck, one trailer,

[1:43:09] and one patching machine. Um now I declare the public hearing open

[1:43:14] on 08-01-2026.

[1:43:17] Anybody signed up? Anybody want to talk that didn't sign

[1:43:21] up? Hearing none, I declare the public

[1:43:24] hearing on 0801-2026 now closed.

[1:43:30] Moving on to 8 Bravo. Ordinance 08-03-2026.

[1:43:37] That's the rezoning of property at US Highway 76, Little Mountain, consisting

[1:43:41] of 6.33 acres from single-family residential

[1:43:46] to R2 rural. And that is tax map 640-87.

[1:43:52] Anyone signed up for the public hearing? I now declare it open. Hearing none,

[1:43:56] nobody signed up. I now declare the public hearing closed

[1:44:01] on 08-03-2026.

[1:44:07] Our next one is 8 Charlie, ordinance 08-04-2026.

[1:44:13] And that's the rezoning of property at 79 Raider Road, Prosperity,

[1:44:18] consisting of 3.025 acres from general commercial

[1:44:24] to R2 rural. And that is tax map

[1:44:30] uh

[1:44:32] 651- 43.

[1:44:38] Anyone here signed up for it? I now I now declare the hearing open.

[1:44:43] Hearing that no one has signed up for it, I now declare the public hearing

[1:44:47] closed on 08-04-26.

[1:44:58] Next item on the agenda is public comments.

[1:45:07] I have Mr. Jim Alman, resident, to speak.

[1:45:13] » Yes, thanks, sir.

[1:45:19] Mhm. Ah.

[1:45:24] Thank you. Uh this is on comment on item number 11.

[1:45:28] New business resolution 06-2026.

[1:45:32] Resolution establishing a vision zero policy for Newberry County committee

[1:45:37] to eliminate all traffic fatalities, elimination

[1:45:41] of fatalities and serious injuries in the county's roadway system.

[1:45:45] Here are a few of the items that are envisioned in this zero in this policy,

[1:45:49] which is called a vision zero policy, which came from Sweden in 1997.

[1:45:54] And we're implementing it now because of the CDC as far as I can tell.

[1:45:58] Center for Disease Control. >> [clears throat]

[1:46:00] » So, here's some things that is in the zero policy.

[1:46:03] Building sustaining leadership, collaboration, and accountability,

[1:46:06] especially among a diverse group of stakeholders to include transportation

[1:46:10] professionals, policymakers, public health officials,

[1:46:12] police, and community members. Prioritizing equity and community

[1:46:17] engagement. So, leadership. Do we not have leadership now? What

[1:46:21] about County Council? Uh, managing safe speed limits. Are not

[1:46:26] the speed limits on our highways now at a safe level?

[1:46:28] Are they not? Achieving zero traffic deaths. Zero

[1:46:33] traffic deaths? Zero?

[1:46:35] Impossible? Probable? What do you think?

[1:46:40] Prioritizing equity and community engagement. Equity and community

[1:46:44] engagement? You mean we have to have a number of

[1:46:47] people from various races to actually be part make this vendor this venture work?

[1:46:52] So, what this vision zero policy really is?

[1:46:56] Well, it's a long complicated thing from like I said, from Sweden back in 1997.

[1:47:01] And yes, Sweden has a lower level of traffic fatalities than they had back in

[1:47:05] 1997. That's a fact. But, if you read this thing the way it's

[1:47:09] written, I can't see how you can make it work in

[1:47:12] this county. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jim.

[1:47:21] All right. There is no one else signed up for public comments.

[1:47:25] Moving on to item 10, old business.

[1:47:29] First item of old business is the third reading of ordinance 08-01-2026

[1:47:35] authorizing the execution of equipment lease purchase agreement in the amount

[1:47:39] not exceeding $2,475,000 for the purchase of one fire truck, two

[1:47:45] ambulance, one dump truck, one trailer, and one patching machine. Do we have a

[1:47:49] motion? For third reading.

[1:47:53] Motion by Councilman Johnson. Have a second?

[1:47:57] By Councilman Smith. Any discussion?

[1:48:02] All in favor?

[1:48:06] Unanimous.

[1:48:11] Next item is uh 10 Bravo third reading ordinance

[1:48:15] 08-02-2026

[1:48:19] amending the tax of Newberry County code of ordinance related to a single site

[1:48:23] burials. Do we have a motion for third reading on

[1:48:26] the single site burials? Motion by Councilman Reeder.

[1:48:30] Second by Councilman Smith. Any discussion?

[1:48:34] All in favor? It is unanimous.

[1:48:40] » [clears throat] >> Our next item is the second reading of

[1:48:45] ordinance 08-03-2026

[1:48:48] rezoning the property at US Highway 76 Little Mountain consisting of 6.33 acres

[1:48:55] from single family residential to R2 rural.

[1:49:00] And that is tax map 640-87. Do I have a motion?

[1:49:07] For a second reading. Motion by Councilman Former. Second by

[1:49:12] Councilman Scurry. Any discussion? All in favor?

[1:49:18] Unanimous.

[1:49:24] Item 10 Delta. That's our second reading of ordinance 08-04-2026.

[1:49:31] And that's the rezoning of property [clears throat] 79 Raider Road,

[1:49:34] Prosperity, consisting of 3.025 acres from general commercial

[1:49:40] to R2 rule, tax map 65 on -43. Do we have a motion? Motion by

[1:49:48] Councilman Reader. Seconded by Councilman Scurry. Any

[1:49:52] discussion? All in favor?

[1:49:57] It is unanimous.

[1:50:01] Moving on to 10 Echo. It's the second reading of ordinance

[1:50:05] 08-05-2026,

[1:50:09] an ordinance authorizing multi-county industrial

[1:50:13] business park agreement between Newberry County and Greenwood County

[1:50:18] for the property owned by Project Pearldust or its affiliate or assign or

[1:50:23] other matters related thereof. Do we have a motion?

[1:50:29] » Comment. >> Motion by Councilman Scurry. Seconded by

[1:50:32] Councilman Johnson. Any discussion? >> Just reiterate that there's no county

[1:50:37] government funding associated with this ordinance.

[1:50:41] » Yes, just allows them to get extra money from the state per employee for training

[1:50:46] purposes.

[1:50:49] » [clears throat] >> All in favor?

[1:50:52] It is unanimous.

[1:50:56] Moving on to item 11, new business. New business, we have a resolution

[1:51:03] 06-2026, a resolution to establish

[1:51:07] the previous zero policy for Newberry County and

[1:51:11] committing to the elimination of traffic traffic fatalities and serious injuries

[1:51:15] on the county roadway system.

[1:51:19] And you want to add anything to this, Ted?

[1:51:21] » I mean, the only thing that I would state um

[1:51:25] the as discussed in the work session is to be eligible for implementation

[1:51:31] funding for the safe streets for all um adoption of this resolution is a

[1:51:37] requirement. Just stating that we commit to take the

[1:51:41] steps necessary to improve upon known pedestrian and vehicle safety concerns

[1:51:48] and to implement projects and use the grant funding towards implementation of

[1:51:52] projects that will reduce these risks within our community and our county.

[1:51:57] » Thank you, Ted. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman

[1:52:01] Johnson, second by Councilman Smith. All in favor Any discussion?

[1:52:07] All in favor?

[1:52:10] Passes unanimously.

[1:52:13] Moving on to item 12. Uh County Council may take action on a

[1:52:18] matter discussed in executive session at 5:00 p.m. No action was taken.

[1:52:25] Moving on to the item 13, which is appointment. Uh the first item is

[1:52:30] library board district five. >> Yes, I'd like to nominate Ms. Karen

[1:52:35] Johnson for uh library board. >> Second.

[1:52:40] » Uh nominated by um Councilman Sis uh Smith, second by uh

[1:52:45] Councilman Johnson. Any discussion? All in favor?

[1:52:51] Passes unanimously. >> [clears throat]

[1:52:54] » Next item is uh item Bravo, Glennis uh human resources commission. We have

[1:53:00] one for low income sector and one for private income sector.

[1:53:06] And Travis is one of the nominees and he's excusing himself from the vote.

[1:53:14] So, our low-income sector is the first one and that's Mr. Carlton Conner. Do we

[1:53:19] have a motion? >> To appoint Carlton?

[1:53:22] » I'll [clears throat] make that >> Motion by Councilman Johnson, second by

[1:53:25] Councilman Scurry. Any discussion?

[1:53:27] » [clears throat] >> All in favor?

[1:53:35] Mr. Conner passes for low-income sector. Next is private sector.

[1:53:40] Did you want to stay in the room or leave?

[1:53:42] » He can stay. >> He can stay. He can stay. Okay.

[1:53:47] » [clears throat] >> Next one is uh

[1:53:50] Councilman Reeder for the private sector.

[1:53:53] Do we have a motion to nominate Councilman

[1:53:56] Motion by Councilman Johnson, second by Councilman Scurry. Any discussion?

[1:54:02] All in favor? That would be six.

[1:54:06] » Five. >> Five of us

[1:54:08] with Councilman

[1:54:10] Reeder uh

[1:54:12] excusing himself.

[1:54:18] All right.

[1:54:21] Next item on the list is adjournment. Do we have a motion for adjournment?

[1:54:25] Councilman Johnson and second by Councilman Scurry.

[1:54:30] Any discussion? All in favor?

[1:54:33] We are adjourned.

[1:54:38] » Always

Newberry County Council Work Session and Meeting 09/02/2026

Transcript