On Monday Apr. 10, Clarendon County Council met for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting. After approval of minutes and agenda, service awards were given out. Linda Lemon presented the following- Jeremy Parker service award for five years as an Investigator with the Sheriff's Department, William Bentley Timmons service award for 10 years as engineer, Betty Phillips service award for 15 years as a Budget Analyst for the Finance Department, Shelton Hughs service award and name on plaque outfront for 25 years as head of Clarendon County Detention Center, and Robert Felder service award for 35 years as Captain of the Clarendon County Detention Center.
After public comments, council made a proclamation stating the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The 2023-02 Fair Housing Month Resolution was then read and April was declared Fair Housing Month in Clarendon County.
Board authorizations were then passed unanimously to appoint the following member to serve a term on the Harvin Clarendon County Library Board: Rhunnette Robinson and Valera Goff representing District Three.
Lynden Anthony gave a brief update on what duties the County Finance Department carries out. Patricia Pringle then presented the auditor budget, letting council know there was a slight increase due to fees out of their control. Pringle also spoke on the exemptions for citizens of Clarendon County and the State of South Carolina. Many of these exemptions include help for farmers and veterans.
Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell presented, requesting only for County Council consideration for a full time clerk administrative assistant for the Coroner's office for the third budget year in a row.
Coroner Blackwell was followed by Probate Judge Margaret Sorrell asking for an increase "in most things" due to the rising cost of contractual services, membership and dues, office supplies, etc. Judge Sorrell presented the council with the file folders that the Probate office uses, stating a case of the file folders is just over one thousand dollars and the office is in need and has to order a case a year due to increased workload.
Sharmaine Anderson, Director of the Voter Registration and Election Commission, has called for a title change for one of her staff from 'Clerk Two' to 'Training Coordinator' to handle poll management and poll workers and precinct changes. Anderson had a decrease in her budget from the previous year. Due to six upcoming elections, Anderson did ask for an increase in office supplies, and a part time clerk if the change from Clerk Two to Training Coordinator is approved.
Third Circuit Public Defender Edgar Donnald Jr. asked for a budget increase of about $10,000 to keep up with the increased costs of living expenses and to help with the salaries of Public Defenders.
After the presentations, there was a First Reading of Ordinance 2023-1, an ordinance to provide a levy of taxes for county purposes of Clarendon County, SC for the fiscal year beginning Jul. 1, 2023 and ending Jun. 30, 2024 to direct the expenditures of said taxes and other funds for Clarendon County, and to provide for other matters related thereto including the administrative accountability procedures to be followed during implementation of the budget (operating and capital) for Clarendon County for the fiscal year beginning Jul. 1,2023 and ending Jun. 30, 2024. This passed unanimously.
The second reading will take place at the Council's regularly scheduled May meeting, followed by a public hearing.
Consideration of First reading of Ordinance 2023-02, to amend Ordinance 2008-09, as amended by Ordinance 2010-05, to authorize the county to enter into an enterprise financing agreement and/or issue revenue bonds, in one or more series, taxable or tax exempt, in an aggregate amount not to exceed blank number of dollars to be paid from and secured by a pledge of an enterprise charge and/or hospitality fees collected by the County; approving the form and terms of certain documents in connection with the same; authorizing the county administrator to determine certain matters relating to the financing; providing for the payment of the financing and the disposition of the financing's proceeds; and providing for other related matters.
County Administrator David Epperson explained it as, "basically allowing us to finance repairs needed for Weldon Auditorium." Repairs such as but not limited to, a new roof on the main section of the building, a new roof over the art corridor, new bricking on the outside of the building, as well as new drywall and paint on the inside of the building. The estimated cost of repair is between 1.7 and 1.9 million dollars.
"We are looking at several ways to pay for this. One being the refinance of the current hospitality revenue bond on Weldon, or perhaps the issuing of a second bond pledged by the hospitality tax," stated Epperson.
The Hospitality tax is a one percent tax on prepared food and beverages, this is not a tax on any general obligation or an individual taxpayer. The first reading passed unanimously and the second reading and public hearing will be held during the May meeting of council.
