Clarendon County Council approved up to $1.61 million Monday to improve Seloc Road, a project officials say is needed to address deteriorating road conditions and increased school-related traffic.
The action came during the council’s regularly scheduled meeting Feb. 9 at the Clarendon County Administration Building.
County Administrator Walt Ackerman said the project involves a state-maintained road and will be funded using state-allocated “C-Funds,” which are designated for transportation improvements.
“These are funds that come down from the state with the directive that they be used on repairing or maintaining roads of some sort,” Ackerman said.
In South Carolina, C-Funds are derived from a portion of the state gasoline tax and distributed to counties through a formula based on population, land area and rural road mileage. At least 25 percent of the funds must be used on state highway system roads.
Ackerman said Seloc Road has experienced increased traffic since construction of a nearby school and closure of a bridge on an alternate route.
“It’s my understanding [when the new Walker-Gamble Elementary School] was built … they repaired a small portion of Seloc Road,” Ackerman said. “Since that point, they closed the bridge down on another route, which has put more pressure on Seloc Road. Now we have additional traffic being generated by school buses, parents and [staff].”
Ackerman said the request originated with the South Carolina Department of Transportation and involves repairs to a state road the county is required by law to maintain using state funds.
Council unanimously approved the funding authorization after amending the motion to allow spending “up to” $1.61 million to provide flexibility as project costs are finalized.
The first reading of an update to the county’s one percent local hospitality tax was also approved. Ordinance 2026-02 updates reporting, collection and enforcement procedures for the tax, which applies to prepared meals and beverages sold by restaurants and similar businesses.
The ordinance does not create a new tax or increase the existing rate. Instead, it updates reporting, collection and enforcement procedures for the tax, which has been in place since 2008.
Ackerman said the changes address gaps in the current ordinance that allow businesses to submit payments without documentation and, in some cases, delay reporting.
“What most jurisdictions do … is require the business to submit a copy of their state sales tax return,” Ackerman said.
The updated ordinance would require businesses to submit documentation with their payments and clarifies enforcement procedures for those who fail to remit the tax. Revenue from the tax is restricted to tourism-related projects and certain county bond obligations.
MEETING ACTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Council opened the meeting by approving the agenda and minutes from the January meeting. Human Resources Director Leonard Lowery presented five-year service awards to Animal Control Officer Casey Connors and School Resource Officer William McCoy.
During public comment, local historian George Frierson addressed council on election matters, development concerns and broader political issues.
Council authorized the appointment of Sonam Kuber Cogdill to the Harvin Clarendon County Library Board representing District 1.
Members also approved amendments to aeronautics commission appointments to comply with Act 79, which requires staggered terms. The revised schedule includes Cedric A. Liqueur (District 1), Cleveland Gore (District 2), Rommie L. Williams (District 2), John Richard Byrd (District 3) and William Chad Gibbons (District 3).
Council also approved a $7,000 hospitality fund request from the Turbeville Business Association and Puddin’ Swamp Festival Committee for advertising. The group had requested $10,000. The approved amount represents a $1,000 increase over last year’s allocation.
Council unanimously approved the third and final reading of Ordinance 2025-16, which rezones Tax Map Parcel 140-00-04-002-00 from Agriculture II to General Commercial.
Members also held a public hearing and approved the second reading of Ordinance 2026-01, rezoning Tax Map Parcel 347-00-02-011-00 from Agriculture I to Residential Conservation. No public comments were made during the hearing.
Council further approved first reading of Ordinance 2026-03, which amends the county’s Unified Development Code to create a Flexible Design District zoning designation. Planning staff said the change allows more flexible site design for large or mixed-use developments while maintaining county oversight and regulatory requirements.
REPORTS AND UPDATES
Finance staff reported general fund expenditures totaled approximately $20.3 million through Jan. 31, representing 63 percent of the county’s approved budget.
Excluding grant spending, general fund expenditures were 55 percent of the annual budget, slightly below the 58 percent point of the fiscal year.
Officials also reported approximately $8.8 million in available C-Funds cash balance, with about $4.27 million committed to projects and roughly $4.53 million remaining uncommitted.
Ackerman praised emergency personnel, transportation crews and public safety staff for their response to recent winter weather events, noting the county avoided widespread damage and major traffic incidents.
He also announced the county received a $1 million federal appropriation request through Congressman Jim Clyburn’s office for improvements at J.C. Britton Park. County staff are revising project plans to align with the funding amount.
Ackerman also welcomed new Clarendon County Fire Rescue Chief Jason Dennis, who began his role Feb. 3.
Council Chairman Jay Johnson thanked first responders and volunteers who helped operate warming shelters during severe weather, including Red Cross coordinator Kathleen Gibson, and noted ongoing efforts to secure additional funding for county park improvements.
Council adjourned following closing remarks. The next regularly scheduled meeting of Clarendon County Council is Monday, Mar. 9, 2026.
