Council passes the 2019-2020 county budget and fire service fees on second reading
Council members approved the fiscal year budget and a new fire service fee intended to increase support for volunteer firefighters and transition toward a career-based fire system. The budget includes a new dedicated millage for Central Carolina Technical College to support operations and scholarships.
8 votes6 passed2 failed5 split
The vote behind the headline
Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Millage Ordinance (2nd Reading):Council approved a millage rate increase of 2.33 mills to fund the Central Carolina Technical College appropriation.Taxes & budget
Yes 6 · No 1
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How they voted
✗ Jimmy Jones• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Tom Gardner · not recorded• David Snodgrass · not recorded
The meeting video didn't make clear how the members in grey voted; their votes fill in automatically once the county posts the official minutes.
This ordinance sets the county property tax millage for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, incorporating an increase of 2.33 mills. This specific increase was implemented to provide a sustainable funding mechanism for the previously approved appropriation to Central Carolina Technical College. Council members noted that the adjustment reflects a roughly nine-dollar annual increase for a $100,000 home. The measure passed 6-1, with Jimmy Jones opposing, as he advocated for using existing revenue streams rather than raising taxes. Supporters argued that dedicated millage provides transparency and ensures the college can plan for long-term growth and new program development.
PASSEDFor 6 · Against 1. This includes an increase of 2.33 mills to fund the Central Carolina Technical College appropriation
Zoning Map Amendment for Randy Bach (3rd Reading):Council unanimously approved a zoning change for 21 acres of land owned by Randy Bach.Development
Unanimous · 3-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ David Snodgrass
What this was about
This measure reclassifies approximately 21 acres of property owned by Randy Bach from R-15 (residential) to RD-1 (rural development). The request was brought before Council to accommodate the owner's plans for the property, moving through the standard three-reading legislative process. As this was the final third reading, the approval serves as the official adoption of the amendment. No specific controversy or public opposition was noted during the session, and the measure passed with a unanimous vote from the Council members. The change will now be reflected in the county's official zoning map, allowing the applicant to move forward with development according to the new classification requirements.
Fire Protection Service Fee (2nd Reading):Council passed a new fire service fee to support local volunteer fire departments and transition to career services.Taxes & budgetEMS & fire
Yes 6 · No 1
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How they voted
✗ Jimmy Jones• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Tom Gardner · not recorded• David Snodgrass · not recorded
The meeting video didn't make clear how the members in grey voted; their votes fill in automatically once the county posts the official minutes.
This ordinance creates a $25 fee per parcel and per vehicle to generate approximately $1.7 million annually for the county fire plan. The proposal seeks to address long-standing underfunding of volunteer fire services and begins a transition toward a career-based staffing model to handle the increasing volume of emergency calls. This was the second of three required readings, passing with a 6-1 vote, with Councilman Jimmy Jones opposing the measure. Public comments highlighted significant concerns from residents on fixed incomes regarding the cumulative financial burden of new fees, and skeptics questioned the necessity of the fee versus an advisory referendum. Council leadership argued that the delay caused by a referendum would be detrimental to safety, noting that current volunteer capacity is strained. The measure will return for a third and final reading in the next session.
PASSEDFor 6 · Against 1. This ordinance establishes a fee to generate revenue for the county fire plan
2019-2020 Budget Amendment for CCTC (Appropriations):Council amended the budget to allocate $549,880 for Central Carolina Technical College operations and scholarships.Taxes & budget
This appropriation amendment ensures funding for Central Carolina Technical College (CCTC) for the upcoming fiscal year. The allocation includes $499,880 for general operations and maintenance, plus a dedicated $50,000 for student scholarships. The move comes after extensive debate regarding how to best fund the college, with Council members emphasizing the need for a skilled local workforce to attract industry. The total amount reflects a significant commitment to keeping higher education affordable and accessible for Kershaw County residents. The amendment was approved unanimously as part of the broader effort to finalize the 2019-2020 county budget.
PASSED (Unanimous). This amendment allocates $549,880 for college operations and $50,000 for scholarships
2019-2020 Budget (2nd Reading):Council approved the overall county budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year on second reading.Taxes & budget
Yes 6 · No 1
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How they voted
✗ Jimmy Jones• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Tom Gardner · not recorded• David Snodgrass · not recorded
The meeting video didn't make clear how the members in grey voted; their votes fill in automatically once the county posts the official minutes.
What this was about
The 2019-2020 fiscal year budget passed its second reading with a 6-1 vote, with Jimmy Jones casting the dissenting vote. The budget encompasses broad county operations, including public safety, sheriff department funding, economic development initiatives, and support for the technical college. It represents the culmination of months of work by staff and Council to balance service needs - such as school resource officers and road infrastructure - against revenue constraints. While the budget was amended during the meeting to include specific technical college appropriations, the core fiscal framework remains focused on managing county services for the next year. A third and final reading is required to finalize the budget before the start of the fiscal year.
Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Millage Ordinance (2nd Reading):Council approved a millage rate increase of 2.33 mills to fund the Central Carolina Technical College appropriation.Taxes & budget
Yes 6 · No 1
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How they voted
✗ Jimmy Jones• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Tom Gardner · not recorded• David Snodgrass · not recorded
The meeting video didn't make clear how the members in grey voted; their votes fill in automatically once the county posts the official minutes.
This ordinance sets the county property tax millage for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, incorporating an increase of 2.33 mills. This specific increase was implemented to provide a sustainable funding mechanism for the previously approved appropriation to Central Carolina Technical College. Council members noted that the adjustment reflects a roughly nine-dollar annual increase for a $100,000 home. The measure passed 6-1, with Jimmy Jones opposing, as he advocated for using existing revenue streams rather than raising taxes. Supporters argued that dedicated millage provides transparency and ensures the college can plan for long-term growth and new program development.
PASSEDFor 6 · Against 1. This includes an increase of 2.33 mills to fund the Central Carolina Technical College appropriation
This ordinance amendment updates the existing county sewer and utility code to bring local regulations into alignment with current mandates from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). The changes involve technical adjustments to water quality standards, such as parts-per-million requirements, and streamline the administrative rules for utility management. The update is a regulatory necessity to ensure the county remains in compliance with state and federal clean water laws. The Council voted unanimously to approve the changes on second reading, with staff noting that the amendment was drafted to meet only the minimum regulatory requirements.
PASSED (Unanimous). This update aligns the county code with EPA and DHEC mandates
Council Member Contingency Accounts ($49,000):A proposal to re-establish $7,000 discretionary accounts for each council member failed to pass.
Yes 3 · No 4
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How they voted
✗ Jimmy Jones✗ Russell Brazell✗ Ben Connell✗ D. Snodgrass• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Tom Gardner · not recorded
The meeting video didn't make clear how the members in grey voted; their votes fill in automatically once the county posts the official minutes.
What this was about
This proposal sought to re-establish discretionary contingency accounts, providing each of the seven council members with $7,000 to be spent at their discretion for local projects, totaling $49,000. Supporters argued that these accounts allowed for rapid response to community needs, such as precinct maintenance or small-scale fire station improvements, and emphasized that every expenditure still requires a majority vote by the full Council. Opponents, including Chairman Ben Connell, strongly argued that this constitutes bad practice, suggesting it creates an environment of influence-trading and that any necessary expenditures should be handled through the central budgeting process. The motion failed on a 3-4 vote, meaning the funds were not added to the budget.
FAILEDFor 3 · Against 4. This proposal to re-establish discretionary accounts for council members did not pass
United Way Contribution Increase:Council rejected a proposal to increase the county's financial contribution to the United Way.
Yes 3 · No 3
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How they voted
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ David Snodgrass✗ Jimmy Jones✗ Russell Brazell✗ Ben Connell
What this was about
Council considered a motion to increase the county's annual contribution to the United Way of Kershaw County to $10,000. Councilman David Snodgrass argued that this was a minimal investment that would yield significant community benefits, citing the long history of the organization in the county and its effectiveness in supporting local safety nets. However, the motion failed on a 3-3 vote, with two members abstaining from the decision. The discussion highlighted a divide among the Council regarding the role of government funding for private non-profit entities, despite acknowledging the good work done by the local chapter.
Ag and Art Tour: Representatives presented the Kershaw County Ag and Art Tour, highlighting the county's agricultural productivity and recent industry awards.
Air Methods Community Partnership: LifeNet representatives presented a community partnership program for air medical transport. Council requested staff to conduct due diligence and return with a business case.
Census 2020: The council discussed the formation of a Complete Count Committee to ensure accurate participation in the upcoming federal census.
Public comment▸showhide
Three residents addressed the council.
Concerns were raised regarding the financial burden of new fire service fees on fixed-income residents, the skepticism surrounding government-led tax and fee increases, and the restriction of specific language during public comment periods.
Coming up▸showhide
3rd Reading of the Budget: The budget and associated ordinances will return for a final vote in the next council session.
Elgin Work Session: County staff will hold a work session with the Town of Elgin to discuss fire service planning.
Independent summary, generated from the county's public video, not an official county communication.
How this recap was made: Prepared from the meeting's live-stream transcript. The county's official minutes (the verified vote record) will be cross-checked automatically once the county publishes them, often a couple of months later. This is an automated summary written by software (a neural-network summarizer working from the documents above). Rely on the official county record for anything important.
