On Feb. 12, the Clarendon County Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting. Chairman Dwight Stewart gave the introduction after the invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of agenda and minutes for January’s meeting.
Linda Lemon gave the following service recognition awards: Investigator Ernest Grice for 10 years of service with the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Department, Investigator Joseph Jones for five years of service with Clarendon County Sheriff’s Department, Karen Decosta for 10 years of service as the records clerk with the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Department, and Investigator Tony Brown for 10 years of service with Clarendon County Sheriff’s Department.
The floor was then opened for public comments. Johnny Wilson spoke first on the annual Juneteenth Expo that is now in its seventh year. Wilson spoke about the many people helping and asked Council for financial help as the Expo is growing and brings many people that boosts the economy in Clarendon.
Carol Blanding then spoke on New Mercy Outreach Ministry that helps the homeless and others that are battling addiction. Blanding asks to partner with Council to form another drug program in Summerton with a goal to establish headquarters in Summerton by late March. Kenneth Smythe followed up on what Blanding said and gave testament about how Blanding helped him get clean for the last seven years and that he now has a good job and is supporting himself and has his own home.
George Frierson then spoke on education, recognizing the birthdays of Levi Pearson (Feb. 10, 1892) and Harry Briggs Jr (Feb. 10, 1942). Both men were principles of the re-filing of Briggs vs. Elliot in 1949.
Next, Sylvia Clark, Jason Montgomery, Carol Summers, and Cynthia Mack, representing the previous Clarendon District Two, Sherry Stewart, representing the previous Clarendon District One and Robertha Harrison, representing the previous Clarendon District Three were all reappointed to the Clarendon Archives Advisory Commission unanimously.
Van Henson then gave a presentation from South Carolina Association of Counties to recognize Clarendon County as having the second best experience modifier rate within the trust of SC Association of Counties, presenting a workers compensation award.
Council then had a concurrent resolution recognizing the week of Jan. 21 through Jan. 27 as national Coroner and Medicolegal Death Investigator week, recognizing Coroner Blackwell who was in attendance at the meeting.
On the agenda was Ordinance 2023-08, consideration of the third and final reading of an ordinance to provide for regulations relating to the procurement of goods and services by Clarendon County and to provide for other matters related thereto. Every 10 years, the County’s procurement code is revisited, originally passed in the late 1990’s. With price and relation, the county needed to redefine what the small purchases are and increased the minimum amount of the small purchases. Council has held a first and second reading (which passed unanimously) and a public hearing. The third reading carried.
Next was ordinance 2023-09, consideration of the third and final reading of an ordinance to amend Clarendon County ordinance number 2023-01, which approved and adopted the fiscal year 2023-2024 budget for Clarendon County. The first and second readings passed unanimously and a public hearing had been held, passing an amended budget for the general funds. The list of usage for the surplus was presented in January at the regular council meeting. A supplemental budget amendment of $2.2 million. This was passed unanimously.
Next on the agenda was a public hearing for ordinance 2024-01, an ordinance adopting a three-month moratorium on the acceptance of applications for solar farm use to provide for an immediate effective date and to provide for an extension of ninety days hereto by further resolution of council. Solar farms are allowed in certain areas of the counties codes, while there is a place for them. There are already a few farms in the county of various sizes, mainly smaller with the large ones now being proposed. The Planning Commission asked for a delay and declaration for a moratorium on the approval until some language and regulations were attended to. The moratorium passed the first reading. The floor was opened to public comment. A few public comments were made on the pros and cons of the solar farm situation, some for and some against. This continues to be a passionate ongoing debate. After the public comments, he second reading of ordinance 2024-01 was passed unanimously.
Next on the agenda was resolution 2024-01, a resolution disclaiming interest at Camp Harmony Road. Camp Harmony has closed its doors and the property is being reverted back to the original owners. They have requested that the county absolve any interest that it has in the roadway that is currently a state road, so it is state maintained. The county has no interest in the roadway other than to access for emergency services. The resolution for disclaiming interest was carried. The monthly reports were then given and Council will have its next regularly scheduled meeting in March.
