The May 12 meeting of the Clarendon County Council was marked by passionate public appeals for improved emergency medical services and staffing, as residents and firefighters raised concerns over response times, pay disparities and departmental support.
Kathleen Gibson, a retired educator and longtime community volunteer, urged the council to prioritize EMS funding over budget cuts, recounting a recent incident at her church where a woman collapsed during service.
“We called 911. I am not blaming anyone,” Gibson said. “But it took the ambulance a long time to get there, and she is now lying in the hospital in Florence fighting for her life. Please, look among your fundings and take out the fact that, oh, we spend too much tax money, and let’s save some lives.”
Gibson’s comments echoed those made during a public hearing later in the meeting, where Marie Hardy Dukes of Turbeville shared concerns about EMS coverage in rural areas. She cited a 22-minute wait time during a critical call and questioned the county’s hiring processes, frozen positions, and pay scale.
“We’re training people to go to other counties,” Dukes said. “It’s a slap in the face to be dual certified in fire and EMS and start at [approximately $36,000] in Clarendon County when other counties pay so much more.”
Lee Mahoney, a Fire Rescue employee, told council that staff remain committed but are struggling with pay structure confusion and inconsistent communication about salaries and benefits.
“Our pay structure is convoluted. We’ve had employees leave because we can’t tell them how they’re getting paid,” Mahoney said. “We’ve brought folks here on a pay cut because they want to work here. But we can’t keep that going without answers.”
Council members acknowledged the seriousness of the concerns and noted ongoing efforts to meet with department leadership and improve conditions. Chairman Jay Johnson emphasized the council’s commitment to public safety while noting recruitment difficulties are not unique to Clarendon County.
“We are diligently trying to figure out how to make this right,” echoed another councilmember. “We know we need people there.”
County Administrator Lynden Anthony clarified that the council had not frozen any EMS positions this budget year and said six EMT positions and two paramedic positions remain unfilled. Finance Director Tammy Rodvansky confirmed that the Fire Rescue budget was balanced with no reduction in millage and included a planned lease-purchase of a new fire engine in 2026.
Rodvansky presented the proposed fiscal year 2025–2026 budget for second reading, noting that the general fund remains unbalanced by $155,825 but is expected to be balanced before final approval in June. She detailed several budget modifications since the April workshop, including reductions to supplemental appropriations, the removal of new coroner requests, and a decrease in the county’s annual contribution to Central Carolina Technical College from $100,000 to $30,000.
Clarendon County Auditor Patricia Pringle asked council to ensure that projected state tax exemption changes not moving forward this year be correctly reflected in the county’s revenue outlook. Rodvansky confirmed the budget draft still includes those reductions, which affect funding for departments like EMS and the library.
Other public commenters included George Frierson, who honored Clarendon veterans and promoted Memorial Day events; Willie Briggs, who detailed upcoming Briggs v. Elliott celebrations; and Angel Reid, who advocated for full-time administrative support in the coroner’s office.
Council unanimously approved a resolution proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month and passed third and final readings on several ordinances, including:
-A three-month moratorium on tiny-home subdivision applications
-A development agreement for the Deer Creek at Wyboo project
-An ordinance transferring county-owned property
-Project Buongiorno economic development incentives
-Updated regulations for animal control and noise in unincorporated areas
The council also gave first reading approval to an ordinance amending the unified development code to formally regulate tiny homes in designated zoning districts. The county Planning Manager explained the new policy includes a minimum five-acre lot size, density caps, and infrastructure requirements such as buffers, road access, and parking standards.
During the meeting, council convened as the Clarendon County Transportation Committee to approve $925,000 in state funds for SR 260 road resurfacing and authorized additional projects, including drainage repairs on four roads and the construction of a new internal roadway, “Hilliard Way,” named in memory of former Public Works Director Tim Hilliard.
Rodvansky also gave the April finance report, noting a year-to-date general fund surplus of nearly $2 million and a healthy standing for Fire Rescue. Weldon Auditorium remains in deficit, but the gap will be offset by hospitality tax funds.
In his administrator’s report, Anthony highlighted summer programming through the Harvin Clarendon County Library, including an art literacy festival on May 31, a Junior Garden Club, and a pop-up farmers market series. He also provided updates on numerous construction and infrastructure projects, including the new emergency operations center, the Turbeville Fire Station, and the county’s wastewater and water line upgrades.
Chairman Jay Johnson closed the meeting with reflections on recent community unity.
“If you haven’t been to the annual Prayer Breakfast, I highly recommend it,” Johnson said. “It’s a great event and a good community event.”
He then turned to the concerns raised earlier in the meeting and encouraged residents to remain engaged.
“There’s nobody sitting behind this wall doing this for money,” Johnson said. “We’re all doing the best we can for this county and its people.”
“It’s kind of hard when folks fuss at you for five minutes about spending money on everything and then ask when you’re going to cut their taxes,” he added. “But we’re doing the best we can. Call us. Talk to us. We’re listening.”
The next regular council meeting is scheduled for June, when the fiscal year budget is expected to be finalized.
Editor’s Note: A transcription error incorrectly stated that the starting salary for dual-certified Fire and EMS personnel in Clarendon County is $45,000. The correct starting salary for Clarendon County Fire Rescue (CCFR) personnel is $36,031. The comparison being made was to other counties that offer approximately $45,000 or more for personnel with only one certification.
