The Clarendon County Council met for a regularly scheduled meeting Monday, March 14. The meeting began as usual with an invocation, introduction, pledge, and approval of minutes and agenda.
Proclamations were made to East Clarendon basketball standout, Talaysia Cooper and to declare the month of March as Procurement Month. Next, a presentation was made for the grant award of $10,000 to Clarendon Fire and Rescue from Duke Energy.
Following the presentations, a resolution was passed to appoint Pro Prothro, Kathleen Gibson, and Alan Kirby to the 2022 Capital Projects and Use Tax Commission. The City of Manning will appoint two additional members at the next special meeting on March 29.
Council had several ordinance readings. Ordinance 2022-01 had its second reading to amend a zoning map for a commercial childcare facility. The facility would be located near Highway 261 and Winter’s Hill Road. A public hearing was held after the second reading with no comments.
Ordinance 2022-02 had its second reading to determine whether a change from the current configuration of council to four single member districts would be on the ballot in November. A public hearing for this ordinance will also be held at the next special meeting.
A second reading of Ordinance 2002-03 was made, regarding a one cent sales tax be implemented for eight years as the current tax is insufficient for capitol projects, as well as local municipality projects. The council believes the proposed sales tax increase would generate between $32 and $34 million in revenue over the eight-year period and approximately 60% of the taxes collected would be from individuals not located in county, but those traveling on I95 and to coastal regions through the county. This tax would be approved by voters on the November ballot.
Next, Ordinance 2022-04 was presented for its second reading. This provides authorization of the county to enter a lease-purchase or similar agreement. David Epperson explained that in July of each year, the Sheriff’s Office obtains vehicles through a lease-purchase program. They have found several vehicles at fair price and available immediately. They would like to act on purchasing before July due to the current volatile nature of the market, exorbitant pricing, and supply shortages. Epperson said they are looking to buy six law enforcement vehicles as well as a van for the Coroner’s Office. This ordinance will also be open for public hearing at the next special meeting.
Lastly, Ordinance 2022-05 was read for the first time, regarding changes to unified development code which include allowing accessory dwellings on residential properties, as well as allowing the use of recreational vehicles and campers in emergency situations such as fire or natural disaster while residents rebuild on their property. The changes would also allow the county the ability to respond to overgrown yards and trash on properties and maintain stricter standards for manufactured homes.
The finance, administrator’s, and chairman’s reports were read before council adjourned.
