After 11 years of service, Kershaw County Administrator Vic Carpenter submitted his resignation during the meeting. Council members expressed gratitude for his tenure, noting his leadership through major regional challenges and his efforts in securing the county's All-America City designation.
10 votes10 passed
The vote behind the headline
Conveyance of land to Kershaw-Lee Regional Water Authority (1st Reading):Council authorized the sale of a small parcel of land to the water authority for a new tower.Water & sewer
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
This ordinance authorizes the county to convey approximately 0.39 acres of land to the Kershaw-Lee Regional Water Authority (formerly CASET Water). The land currently houses a water tank that serves the Governor's Hill area. The county previously leased this land to the authority, but that lease expired in 2016. Selling the parcel cleans up the ownership structure, as the authority owns and operates the infrastructure on the site. This transfer is part of the county's broader collaborative efforts with the water authority and the City of Camden to support economic development and industrial expansion in the county. The ordinance passed on its first reading, with future readings required to finalize the conveyance.
PASSED (Unanimous). The parcel will support a new water tower for Governor's Hill
Amendment to add Soil and Water Stewardship Week Proclamation:Council unanimously voted to add a proclamation recognizing Soil and Water Stewardship Week to the agenda.Water & sewer
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
This measure was added to the meeting agenda as a time-sensitive item to recognize Soil and Water Stewardship Week, which runs from April 24 through May 1. The proclamation highlights the vital role of Kershaw County's soil and water conservation districts in protecting natural resources, supporting local agriculture, and promoting technical assistance for landowners. It emphasizes that local conservation efforts are foundational to the county's environmental health, economic stability, and long-term prosperity. Donna Douglas, representing the conservation district, provided brief remarks thanking the council for their continued funding and emphasizing the individual responsibility of citizens to conserve these resources. The amendment was proposed by the county clerk, discovered late in the planning process, and passed unanimously by council. This action allows the county to formally support the conservation district's awareness campaign and partnership with state and federal natural resource agencies.
Adoption of the Agenda (as amended):Council adopted the meeting agenda, with Vice Chairman Russell Brazell abstaining from the vote.
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ David Snodgrass✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones
What this was about
Following the addition of the Soil and Water Stewardship Week proclamation, the council moved to adopt the meeting agenda. The agenda serves as the official roadmap for the evening's legislative business, including proclamations, resolutions, and ordinance readings. The motion to adopt the agenda as amended was made by Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. and passed with a 6-0 vote. Vice Chairman Russell Brazell recused himself from this specific vote. This routine administrative act ensures all members are aligned on the items to be discussed and ensures compliance with the South Carolina Home Rule Act regarding public meeting procedures.
Proclamation recognizing May as Mental Health Month:Council proclaimed May as Mental Health Month to increase local awareness and access to necessary services.
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones
What this was about
This proclamation marks the first time Kershaw County has formally recognized Mental Health Month since 2009. The measure aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health conditions, which officials noted have become increasingly prevalent in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and current economic pressures. Chairman Ben Connell introduced the item after a briefing from the Alpha Center, emphasizing that mental health is as critical as physical health. Representatives from Santee-Lynches Mental Health and the Alpha Center, including Jeff Ham and Mara Jones, thanked the council for reinvigorating this awareness effort. Council members discussed the personal importance of mental health support, with members highlighting the need for holistic treatment. Councilman Jimmy Jones abstained from the vote out of an abundance of caution due to his wife's professional involvement in the field, though the motion otherwise passed unanimously.
Resolution requesting DOT post no-through-truck signs on Truesdale Road:Council requested that the Department of Transportation install signs to prevent heavy trucks from using Truesdale Road.Roads
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ David Snodgrass✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns
This resolution addresses safety and infrastructure concerns on Truesdale Road, which has been used as a pass-through by large tractor-trailers despite the road not being designed for heavy traffic. Councilman Jimmy Jones sponsored the measure after receiving numerous complaints from local residents regarding heavy truck usage. The resolution formalizes a request to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) to install 'no-through-truck' signs, which will allow for law enforcement to cite vehicles violating the restriction. Council members noted that the road has suffered damage from heavy vehicles and emphasized the need to protect the community. The resolution passed unanimously, and Chairman Ben Connell offered to sign the formal request to the state agency to expedite the process.
Historic Property Rehabilitation Program (Bailey Bill) Ordinance (2nd Reading):Council passed the second reading of the Bailey Bill, authorizing a third-party review process for historic properties.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
The Bailey Bill is a tax incentive program designed to encourage the rehabilitation of historic structures by freezing property tax rates for a set period. Council approved the second reading with a significant addendum proposed by Councilman Jimmy Jones. This amendment authorizes the county to contract with a third-party reviewing authority, such as the City of Camden, to handle the evaluation of historic properties in unincorporated areas. This move aims to avoid the bureaucratic complications of dealing directly with state archives. The county still retains final approval authority over all applications. Officials noted that the program incentivizes the restoration of blighted properties and reduces the overall tax burden without requiring the county to create new staff positions. Future readings will finalize variables such as the exact tax freeze duration and minimum investment thresholds.
PASSED (Unanimous). Council approved an addendum to allow staff to contract with a third-party reviewing authority
This agreement provides a fee-in-lieu-of-tax (FILOT) structure for RJR LLC, a company that has committed to investing at least $2.5 million in the county. Formerly referred to as 'Project Local,' the company is a local business that met all the state-mandated requirements for such incentives. The agreement is intended to foster business growth and investment within Kershaw County. Vice Chairman Russell Brazell recused himself from this vote, which passed 6-0. This measure is part of the council's ongoing economic development strategy to attract and retain industrial investment in the region.
Unified Zoning and Land Development Regulations Appeals Process Amendment (1st Reading):Council approved a first reading to streamline the appeals process within the unified zoning code.Development
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
This ordinance amendment aims to clean up and simplify the appeals process within the county's Unified Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR). Councilman Jimmy Jones and other members have frequently criticized the current land-use regulations as overly complex and difficult for citizens to navigate. County Administrator Vic Carpenter clarified that the amendment removes outdated or legally inconsistent language but noted that a total rewrite of the ZLDR is necessary to address deeper issues. The administration is planning a lengthy, multi-year process to revise the entire document, which will include a formal bidding process to select a firm to manage the update. The current amendment is a modest step toward making the existing system more user-friendly and clarifying the administrator's limited role in zoning decisions due to dual-office holding restrictions.
Sewer Infrastructure Agreement with City of Camden (1st Reading):Council approved the first reading of an agreement to expand sewer capacity for the Prestige Farms project.Water & sewer
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
This ordinance codifies an infrastructure agreement between Kershaw County, the City of Camden, and the Prestige Farms project developers. The project represents a $150 million investment and requires an upgrade to sewer systems to accommodate 800,000 gallons of daily usage. The total cost is approximately $8.8 million, with the county contributing $2.3 million from economic development funds, the city providing $5.5 million, and the state providing $800,000. While some council members expressed concern regarding the county's lack of revenue from the sewer plant itself, they were satisfied that the anticipated fee-in-lieu-of-tax revenue from the Prestige Farms investment would pay back the county's expenditure within four years. The project is expected to create over 300 new jobs.
PASSED (Unanimous). This codifies the agreement regarding the Prestige Farms expansion
Conveyance of land to Kershaw-Lee Regional Water Authority (1st Reading):Council authorized the sale of a small parcel of land to the water authority for a new tower.Water & sewer
Unanimous · 7-0
▸detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
This ordinance authorizes the county to convey approximately 0.39 acres of land to the Kershaw-Lee Regional Water Authority (formerly CASET Water). The land currently houses a water tank that serves the Governor's Hill area. The county previously leased this land to the authority, but that lease expired in 2016. Selling the parcel cleans up the ownership structure, as the authority owns and operates the infrastructure on the site. This transfer is part of the county's broader collaborative efforts with the water authority and the City of Camden to support economic development and industrial expansion in the county. The ordinance passed on its first reading, with future readings required to finalize the conveyance.
PASSED (Unanimous). The parcel will support a new water tower for Governor's Hill
Resolution requesting unified single Council of Governments (COG) structure under Santee-Lynches:Council resolved to petition for the transfer of the entire county into one regional planning entity.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner✓ Julian Burns✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
Kershaw County is currently split between two Councils of Governments (COG): the Central Midlands COG and the Santee-Lynches COG. This split has hindered the county's ability to receive fair road funding and effectively plan for growth. The resolution requests the transfer of the county's population from the Central Midlands COG (specifically the COATS region) into the Santee-Lynches COG. Council members noted that the county has seen zero road project funding from COATS over the past 23 years, with funds instead disproportionately benefiting Richland and Lexington counties. The move is intended to consolidate the county under a single regional authority, which officials believe will better represent their interests and streamline transportation planning. The resolution received unanimous support, and the county intends to work with federal representatives and the Census Bureau to achieve this transition.
Council discussed ongoing concerns regarding dirt road maintenance and litter, specifically regarding Red Hill Circle.
Members also engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding decorum during public comment sessions, with several council members emphasizing the need to follow existing rules that prohibit calling out individual staff or council members by name.
Public comment▸showhide
Residents raised concerns regarding the maintenance and paving of dirt roads, particularly Red Hill Circle, citing health and safety issues. Other speakers addressed litter, noise complaints, and the necessity for structured development planning to protect local infrastructure.
One speaker challenged the council's restrictions on public comments, arguing that speech restrictions should be content-neutral.
Coming up▸showhide
Council is expected to schedule a special meeting to discuss the recruitment and appointment process for a new County Administrator.
Future readings for zoning and infrastructure ordinances will continue in upcoming meetings, with staff tasked to continue reaching out to Elgin and Bethune regarding historic property review authority.
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.
