Meeting recap · June 8, 2021
Council passed the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 county budget on third and final reading after a lengthy debate over funding mechanisms for fire services and personnel bonuses
The budget maintains current millage levels while moving toward a professional career fire service model and includes a pay raise for county employees.
5 votes3 passed2 failed4 split
The vote behind the headline
FY 2021-2022 County Budget (3rd Reading):
The annual budget passed, featuring a pay raise for employees and new fire service investments.
Taxes & budget
Yes 4 · No 2
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detailsless
Yes 4 · No 2
How they voted
✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell✗ Jimmy Jones✗ Russell BrazellWhat this was about
Kershaw County Council officially adopted the FY 2021-2022 operating budget following a 4-2 vote. The budget includes a multi-tiered pay raise for county employees, ranging from 1 to 4 percent depending on salary levels. A central component of the spending plan is the aggressive restructuring of debt to free up revenue for capital projects, including a new fire station in Cassett and an EMS facility. While the budget overall received praise for its focus on employee retention and public safety infrastructure, the dissent from Council members Jones and Brazell was primarily driven by the inclusion of the new fire protection fees. Despite these concerns, the Council leadership touted the budget as a transformative financial document that leverages federal COVID-19 relief funds and debt restructuring to meet the county's long-term infrastructure needs without raising general property taxes.
PASSED For 4 · Against 2
Votes at a glance ▸ showhide
Amendment to ARPA Worker Bonus Cutoff:
Council rejected a proposal to limit worker bonuses to employees hired before January 1, 2021.
Yes 2 · No 4
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detailsless
Yes 2 · No 4
How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✗ Jimmy Jones✗ Julian Burns✗ Tom Gardner✗ David SnodgrassWhat this was about
This amendment sought to establish a strict eligibility cutoff for federal ARPA-funded bonuses for county employees. Councilman Ben Connell proposed limiting these payments exclusively to staff who were actively employed before January 1, 2021, and remained employed through the date of distribution. The debate highlighted a tension between rewarding long-term service and providing broad support to the current workforce. Some members argued that such a cutoff was necessary to prevent bonuses from going to staff hired after the height of pandemic risks, while others, including Councilman Jimmy Jones, expressed a desire to include all employees regardless of their start date. County administration indicated that they had already planned a more nuanced approach, targeting employees on the payroll by March 31, 2021, to coincide with the end of the emergency ordinance period. Ultimately, the motion failed in a 2-4 vote, maintaining the broader eligibility scope for the bonus program as originally envisioned by the budget framework.
FAILED For 2 · Against 4. The amendment sought to limit bonuses to employees hired prior to January 1, 2021
Who said what
» Ben Connell Chairman: argued that bonuses should be reserved for employees who worked through the period of highest risk ▶︎» Jimmy Jones Council Member: preferred a more inclusive approach that did not exclude newer employees ▶︎» David Snodgrass Public comment: felt the conversation led to a policy that better aligned with the intent of the funding ▶︎
Budget Amendment regarding ARPA Worker Bonus Cutoff (Motion to Amend):
This was a redundant motion to amend the budget that failed alongside the previous proposal.
Taxes & budget
Yes 2 · No 4
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detailsless
Yes 2 · No 4
How they voted
• Ben Connell · not recorded• Russell Brazell · not recorded• Jimmy Jones · not recorded• Julian Burns · not recorded• Tom Gardner · not recorded• David Snodgrass · not recordedThe 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 item refers to the procedural motion to amend the ARPA bonus eligibility criteria. As the previous motion to limit bonuses to employees hired prior to January 1, 2021, had already been debated and voted upon, this motion served as the formal vehicle for that attempt. The discussion remained focused on the same parameters, specifically the administration's plan to use a March 31, 2021, cutoff date. Since the Council chose not to adopt the earlier January 1 constraint, this motion also failed. The result ensures that the administration maintains discretion over the distribution of the 1.2 million dollars in bonus funds, allowing them to follow the internal guidelines set by the county manager, which prioritize staff active during the peak of the pandemic while excluding those hired significantly after the initial crisis months.
FAILED For 2 · Against 4
Ordinance for Fee Agreement with Project Sapphire (2nd Reading):
Council unanimously approved a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement to facilitate a new economic development project.
Unanimous · 6-0
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Unanimous · 6-0
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Julian Burns✓ Tom Gardner✓ David SnodgrassWhat this was about
Project Sapphire is a confidential economic development initiative currently moving through the Council's approval process. This ordinance authorizes the execution of a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes (FILOT) agreement and specific tax credits for the entity. Because the project remains in an early, sensitive stage of negotiations, the details regarding the specific company, its sector, and the exact dollar amount of the investment are currently restricted. Council members emphasized that the vagueness of the ordinance is a standard requirement to maintain the confidentiality of the project until negotiations are finalized. This vote marks the second of three required readings, signaling strong Council support for the project's potential impact on the county tax base and local job market. No public opposition was raised, and the ordinance will head to a third reading at a future meeting.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Who said what
» Ben Connell Chairman: explained that the vague language is necessary for ongoing contractual negotiations ▶︎About this project: Project Sapphire »
Ordinance for New Fire Protection District Vehicle Fee (2nd Reading):
Council approved a new 10-dollar vehicle fee to fund the transition to a career fire service.
EMS & fire
Yes 4 · No 2
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detailsless
Yes 4 · No 2
How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ Julian Burns✓ Tom Gardner✓ David Snodgrass✗ Jimmy Jones✗ Russell BrazellWhat this was about
This ordinance creates a new 10-dollar annual fee on motor vehicles within the county fire protection district to help finance the move toward a full-time professional fire service. The measure is part of a broader strategy to address staffing and equipment shortages that have plagued volunteer-heavy fire departments. Proponents, such as Councilman David Snodgrass, argued that the current reliance on volunteers is insufficient for a growing population and results in higher insurance costs due to poor ISO ratings. However, the vote was split 4-2, with Council members Jimmy Jones and Russell Brazell dissenting. They argued that the timing of the fee is inappropriate following the pandemic and suggested that alternative funding sources, such as the sale of the county sewer system, should have been explored. The ordinance passed its second reading and will require one final vote before the fee is officially implemented.
PASSED For 4 · Against 2. This fee supports the shift to a career fire service model
Who said what
» David Snodgrass Public comment: argued the fee is a necessary step to transform the fire service model ▶︎» Jimmy Jones Council Member: opposed the fee because he believes alternative funding solutions were ignored ▶︎» Ben Connell Chairman: noted that millage is the ideal funding tool, but state laws currently restrict its use ▶︎
FY 2021-2022 County Budget (3rd Reading):
The annual budget passed, featuring a pay raise for employees and new fire service investments.
Taxes & budget
Yes 4 · No 2
▸
detailsless
Yes 4 · No 2
How they voted
✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell✗ Jimmy Jones✗ Russell BrazellWhat this was about
Kershaw County Council officially adopted the FY 2021-2022 operating budget following a 4-2 vote. The budget includes a multi-tiered pay raise for county employees, ranging from 1 to 4 percent depending on salary levels. A central component of the spending plan is the aggressive restructuring of debt to free up revenue for capital projects, including a new fire station in Cassett and an EMS facility. While the budget overall received praise for its focus on employee retention and public safety infrastructure, the dissent from Council members Jones and Brazell was primarily driven by the inclusion of the new fire protection fees. Despite these concerns, the Council leadership touted the budget as a transformative financial document that leverages federal COVID-19 relief funds and debt restructuring to meet the county's long-term infrastructure needs without raising general property taxes.
PASSED For 4 · Against 2
Discussed, no vote ▸ showhide
- Lady Demons Softball Proclamation: Council unanimously recognized the Lugoff-Elgin High School team for their 2021 4A State Championship.
- Lugoff Fire District Budget: Chief Chris Spitzer presented a balanced budget, highlighting the department's transition toward full-time staffing and the ongoing need to support volunteer firefighters with equipment and recruitment.
- Clean Community Commission Report: Wanda Swan reported on recent successes, including the collection of over 16,000 pounds of litter, and urged council to consider increasing litter fines to act as a stronger deterrent.
- Advisory Referendum on Fire Fees: A motion by J. Jones to hold an advisory referendum on new fire service fees failed to receive a second.
Public comment ▸ showhide
Residents expressed appreciation for council's economic development efforts and the recent budget planning.
Concerns were raised regarding the fairness of additional fees in rural areas, the need for improved infrastructure such as sewer and road maintenance, and the importance of preserving historical memory and community pride.
Coming up ▸ showhide
- Vision 2030 Planning Meetings: June 17 at Blaney Elementary and June 21 at North Central High School.
- Next Council Meeting: June 22, 2021.
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.