Council rejected a proposal to immediately pursue a sale of the county wastewater treatment plant but narrowly voted to direct the administration to study all options for improving and financing the system
The debate highlighted concerns over the facility nearing capacity and the high costs of future infrastructure upgrades versus maintaining public control.
4 votes3 passed1 failed2 split
The vote behind the headline
Proposal for Sale of Wastewater Treatment Plant (New Business):Council rejected a motion to immediately pursue the sale of the county wastewater treatment plant.Water & sewer
Yes 1 · No 5
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How they voted
• David Snodgrass · not recorded• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Tom Gardner · not recorded• Julian Burns · not recorded• Jimmy Jones · not recorded• Ben Connell · not recorded• Russell Brazell · 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
Council member Jimmy Jones proposed a motion to authorize the county administrator to immediately pursue the sale of the county wastewater treatment plant and initiate the necessary procedural steps. The proposal was framed as a way to generate funds for sewer system expansion and to eliminate the need for a specific sewer tax currently paid by residents. However, the majority of the Council expressed concerns about the lack of an existing bid, the potential for premature action, and the desire to first understand the value of the asset. Speakers emphasized that the plant is currently near capacity, with future upgrades estimated to cost between $12 and $20 million, which made the discussion of alternatives necessary despite the rejection of an immediate sale. Ultimately, the motion failed with only one vote in favor, while the Council indicated a preference for a more methodical study of options.
FAILEDFor 1 · Against 5. This motion sought to authorize the administrator to pursue a sale and necessary procedural steps
Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Budget (1st Reading):Council approved the first reading of the annual budget in title only to begin legislative proceedings.Taxes & budget
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ David Snodgrass✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell
This vote marks the formal start of the legislative process for the Kershaw County budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. By passing the ordinance in title only, Council satisfies statutory requirements to initiate the budget review cycle while continuing the detailed work required to finalize spending priorities. Earlier on the day of the meeting, the Council held a multi-hour workshop to examine the general fund and set the stage for upcoming sessions. Further work sessions are scheduled for May 18 and May 25 to review specific departmental requests, with a second reading planned for the evening of May 25. Council members expressed confidence that the current process allows for transparency and a return to normalcy following a difficult year of pandemic-related financial challenges. The budget serves as the primary instrument for funding county operations, public services, and infrastructure maintenance for the coming year.
PASSED (Unanimous). This approval in title only begins the legislative process for the upcoming budget
Proposal for Sale of Wastewater Treatment Plant (New Business):Council rejected a motion to immediately pursue the sale of the county wastewater treatment plant.Water & sewer
Yes 1 · No 5
▸detailsless
How they voted
• David Snodgrass · not recorded• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Tom Gardner · not recorded• Julian Burns · not recorded• Jimmy Jones · not recorded• Ben Connell · not recorded• Russell Brazell · 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
Council member Jimmy Jones proposed a motion to authorize the county administrator to immediately pursue the sale of the county wastewater treatment plant and initiate the necessary procedural steps. The proposal was framed as a way to generate funds for sewer system expansion and to eliminate the need for a specific sewer tax currently paid by residents. However, the majority of the Council expressed concerns about the lack of an existing bid, the potential for premature action, and the desire to first understand the value of the asset. Speakers emphasized that the plant is currently near capacity, with future upgrades estimated to cost between $12 and $20 million, which made the discussion of alternatives necessary despite the rejection of an immediate sale. Ultimately, the motion failed with only one vote in favor, while the Council indicated a preference for a more methodical study of options.
FAILEDFor 1 · Against 5. This motion sought to authorize the administrator to pursue a sale and necessary procedural steps
Expansion and Financing of Sewer System (New Business):Council directed the administration to study ways to improve, expand, and finance the county sewer system.Water & sewer
Yes 5 · No 2
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How they voted
✓ David Snodgrass✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Jimmy Jones✗ Ben Connell✗ Russell Brazell
Following the failure of the motion to sell the wastewater treatment plant, Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. introduced a successful motion directing the administration to explore methods to expand, improve, and finance the sewer system to meet current needs and future growth. This measure ensures the county performs due diligence by conducting engineering studies and investigating potential partnerships or other financial alternatives without committing to a specific sale or privatization. Supporters argued this provides a clear directive for staff to gather facts, such as how to address capacity issues at the plant and the maintenance of the southern loop project, without the pressure of an immediate liquidation. The Council emphasized that this path allows them to be better informed regarding the long-term fiscal health of the utility before making irreversible decisions. The administration is now tasked with reporting back to Council with comprehensive options.
PASSEDFor 5 · Against 2. This directs the administration to examine methods to expand, improve, and finance the sewer system to meet current and future growth
Council approved a project to rehabilitate the main 6-24 runway at the Kershaw County airport. The project covers approximately 62,000 square yards of resurfacing and repairs, with a low bid of $1,657,177 submitted by Bogs Contracting. The county's contribution is limited to a 5 percent local match, which will be sourced from the economic development fund, totaling roughly $100,000. This project is a top priority on the airport's five-year plan and is considered vital for maintaining infrastructure that attracts economic development and corporate investment. The authorization is strictly contingent upon the receipt of FAA grant funding; if federal support is not secured, the project will not proceed. Council members view the airport as a front porch for the county, providing a critical first impression for visiting business leaders.
PASSED (Unanimous). This project authorizes the rehabilitation of the main 6-24 runway with the county providing a 5 percent local match contingent on FAA funding
Council received an administrative update on COVID-19, noting the county reported zero new cases for the first time in many months.
Representatives from South Carolina Water Utilities were present to discuss potential collaboration and their capacity to assist with regional growth, though council emphasized that no formal bids are currently under consideration.
Public comment▸showhide
Residents and officials addressed the council on three primary topics. Cliff Judy provided historical context regarding his past dealings with local sewer utilities and shared concerns about rate increases.
Ralph DeMarco from the Solid Waste Department requested full-day Saturday hours for the landfill and reported on equipment maintenance issues. Judge Debbie Bradham urged the council to take a methodical approach to a county employee salary study, favoring a 2 percent cost-of-living adjustment for the current budget year.
Coming up▸showhide
Council will hold further budget work sessions on May 18 and May 25, 2021. The second reading of the budget is scheduled for the evening of May 25.
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.
