Clarendon County Council advanced a slate of economic and policy items Monday night. Including incentives tied to a proposed 500-job manufacturing project, a final rewrite of the county’s food-truck rules, and a ban on attracting or feeding feral animals on county property. The meeting that also saw a public-comment confrontation end with a speaker escorted from the chamber.
Council voted to approve a resolution supporting incentives for Project Unity, a manufacturer considering an estimated $56 million investment in an existing industrial facility and the creation of about 500 jobs with an average wage of $27 an hour, Economic Development Director George Kosinski told council. Members then gave initial approval to a companion ordinance authorizing a fee-in-lieu of taxes (FILOT) and a special source revenue credit to “level the playing field” for the project.
In other business, council unanimously adopted a resolution revising county employee guidelines to prohibit attracting or feeding wild/feral animals on county property. The policy, aimed at reducing nuisances and safety risks, bars placing food or other attractants on county grounds and warns that violations may result in discipline up to termination, according to the resolution packet.
Council also gave third and final reading to Ordinance 2025-12 updating the Unified Development Code to regulate mobile food vendors.
WASTE-TIRE TIPPING FEE
On first reading, council advanced Ordinance 2025-13 to update fees and policies for accepting waste tires at county solid-waste facilities. Deputy Administrator Sharmane Anderson said the measure would raise the commercial tipping rate from $150 to $200 per ton, noting the General Assembly now allows counties to charge up to $400 in certain cases. The change would not affect residents, who may continue to bring up to four passenger-vehicle tires per year at no cost, she said. The adjustment is intended to address disposal costs for out-of-state or undocumented fleet tires, heavy-equipment and oversized tires.
CHAMBER FUNDING REQUESTS
Council approved two tourism-related requests presented by Tourism Director Sadie Serio and Chamber Interim Director Caroline Buyck: $58,250 for the Chamber’s operational budget and $44,000 from the hospitality fund for marketing – including digital, print, radio and signage – to keep Clarendon County front-of-mind for anglers, boaters, hunters and golfers. Anderson noted the $44,000 accommodations-tax request will also go before the A-Tax Committee.
PUBLIC COMMENTS TURN HEATED
Public comments were dominated by residents urging a stronger, low-cost spay/neuter and trap-neuter-return program for community cats. Several speakers described large unmanaged colonies and euthanasia concerns, asking the county to expand access to affordable services.
Later, Pastor David Woods criticized council over its process in filling the county administrator position, contending an outside hire wouldn’t match the dedication of a local leader. Councilman Kurtis Rodine immediately replied that his decisions are made for “the whole county” and not for any person or party. Chairman Jay Johnson addressed Woods’ remarks again during his chairman’s report, the only comments he made in that segment, defending his vote and saying he supports the most qualified candidate. A back-and-forth ensued, and Johnson directed that Woods be escorted from the chamber.
Following executive session, council approved a personnel contract naming Walt Ackerman as county administrator. Ackerman thanked members for their confidence and said he anticipates starting Nov. 17 after concluding obligations with his current employer. No action was taken on a proposed magistrate bond-court agreement with the City of Manning.
RECOGNITIONS AND REPORTS
Council adjourned after the administrator appointment. The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 10, 2025.
