Council focuses on sewer grant transparency and infrastructure management
Council members addressed the discovery of a $10 million state grant for sewer expansion, which was signed without prior Council notification. The body voted to refer the grant's status to the Finance Committee to develop a strategic plan by June 27, while also initiating a process to increase minimum lot sizes to 15,000 square feet to better manage regional growth.
10 votes10 passed
The vote behind the headline
Directive to Coordinate 15,000 sq ft Minimum Lot Size Ordinance:Council directed staff to draft an ordinance increasing the minimum residential lot size to 15,000 square feet.
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe
Council unanimously passed a motion directing the County Administrator, Planning Director, and legal counsel to draft an ordinance amending the Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR). The goal is to establish a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet for all single-family residential development in all zoning districts. This measure is intended to curb high-density residential subdivisions that Council members argued are placing excessive strain on county roads, school capacity, sewer infrastructure, and stormwater systems. Staff were also instructed to propose related amendments to setbacks and conditional use standards to maintain consistency throughout the code.
Following the meeting's call to order, Council voted to adopt the meeting agenda. At the request of Councilman Derek Shoemake, the agenda was amended to include an executive session regarding a $10 million sewer grant, a discussion on the grant in open session, and a new public presentation by Tim Taylor regarding the Good Neighbor Award. The council emphasized the need for transparency regarding these late additions, as the grant documentation was not included in the original published packet. The motion to adopt the agenda as amended passed by a unanimous vote of the six members present.
Following the discovery that a $10 million state sewer grant had been signed without prior Council notification, the body moved into an executive session to receive legal advice. The grant was originally tied to ARPA funds and state revolving loan (SRF) commitments that have since been reallocated or are no longer available. Council members expressed frustration regarding the lack of transparency in the grant's status and its relation to current financial priorities, such as public safety, EMS, and existing infrastructure. Administrator Danny Templar noted that he requested a meeting with state officials to discuss whether the application can be modified to reflect current needs. Ultimately, Council decided to refer the status of the grant to the Finance Committee to develop a strategic plan by the June 27, 2023, meeting. The discussion highlighted a commitment to maintain transparency with the public regarding the county's financial obligations and future development projects.
Exit Executive Session:Council exited the closed session and returned to the public meeting.
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Russell Brazell
What this was about
Council voted to conclude their executive session and reconvene the public meeting at 6:24 p.m. No votes or formal actions were taken while in the closed session. Immediately following the exit, Councilman Derek Shoemake provided an opening summary of the grant status in open session.
Approval of May 30, 2023, Minutes:Council members formally approved the minutes from the May 30, 2023, special called meeting.
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe
What this was about
The Council reviewed the minutes from the special called meeting held on May 30, 2023. Councilman Derek Shoemake made a motion to approve the record, which was seconded by Councilman Danny Catoe. The minutes were approved by a unanimous vote of the six members present.
Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Planning and Zoning Commission (2nd Reading):Council approved the second reading of an ordinance regarding the Planning and Zoning Commission.Development
Yes 5 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Jimmy Jones
What this was about
Council conducted the second reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 2, Article X, Division 5 of the Kershaw County Code of Ordinances, which governs the Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilman Derek Shoemake made the motion to move the ordinance forward, seconded by Councilman Brant Tomlinson. While Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. expressed reservations about the terms not being expanded as previously discussed, the motion carried with a vote of 5-1, with Tucker opposing.
PASSEDFor 5 · Against 0 (S. Tucker, Jr. abstained)
Government Obligation Contract for EMS Body Cameras:Council approved a contract for the purchase of 50 body camera systems for EMS personnel.EMS & fire
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe
Council approved a resolution authorizing the execution of a government obligation contract with Fleetwood Finance Leasing, LLC to acquire 50 Commander Smart body camera systems and six docking ports for Emergency Medical Services. The total cost of the contract is $210,994, to be paid over five years. During the discussion, it was clarified that the funding source for these cameras would be the Enterprise Fund rather than the General Fund. The resolution passed unanimously.
Directive to Coordinate 15,000 sq ft Minimum Lot Size Ordinance:Council directed staff to draft an ordinance increasing the minimum residential lot size to 15,000 square feet.
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe
Council unanimously passed a motion directing the County Administrator, Planning Director, and legal counsel to draft an ordinance amending the Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR). The goal is to establish a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet for all single-family residential development in all zoning districts. This measure is intended to curb high-density residential subdivisions that Council members argued are placing excessive strain on county roads, school capacity, sewer infrastructure, and stormwater systems. Staff were also instructed to propose related amendments to setbacks and conditional use standards to maintain consistency throughout the code.
Directive to Amend Stormwater and ZLDR to Complaint-Based Process:Council directed staff to transition stormwater regulation outside of MS4 areas to a complaint-based process.Water & sewer
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe
Council unanimously approved a directive to shift the enforcement of stormwater regulations outside of the MS4 areas to a complaint-based process. Councilman Russell Brazell argued that the county should not dedicate limited staff resources to permit enforcement for areas where the county is not the primary issuing agency. The motion instructs the County Administrator and Planning Director to draft and submit proposed amendments to the Stormwater Ordinance and the ZLDR to implement this change, aimed at streamlining county operations.
2023-2024 Budget Resolution for Lugoff Fire Department:Council approved the balanced annual operating budget for the Lugoff Fire Protection District.Taxes & budgetEMS & fire
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe
Council unanimously approved the 2023-2024 operating budget resolution for the Lugoff Fire Protection District. The department requested no funding increases and voluntarily declined the $20,000 annual mutual aid payment previously provided by the county, which council members praised as an act of fiscal responsibility. Representatives from the Lugoff Fire Department attended the meeting to receive the Council’s commendation for their ongoing performance and cooperation with the county-wide fire service.
Adjournment of Meeting:The meeting was formally adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Russell Brazell
What this was about
Following the conclusion of council briefings and the Administrator's report, a motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. and seconded by Councilman Russell Brazell. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting concluded at 8:10 p.m.
Council received a public presentation from the ATAX Committee regarding recommended funding disbursements for local non-profits and cultural events.
Additionally, Tim Taylor presented the "Good Neighbor Award" program, a new community recognition initiative now featured on the county website.
Public comment▸showhide
Ten residents addressed the Council. Multiple speakers expressed concerns regarding budget priorities, specifically questioning the allocation of ARPA funds toward recreational facilities versus essential infrastructure like water, sewer, and public safety.
Other topics included a request for paving Colonial Lake Drive due to increased traffic and safety concerns, a request for rezoning property on Ridgeway Road to accommodate a proposed commercial development, and concerns regarding security screening procedures at Council meetings.
Coming up▸showhide
The Finance Committee is scheduled to review the status of the sewer grant and provide a recommendation to the full Council by the next meeting on June 27, 2023.
This is an independent summary prepared from the county's official published minutes and the meeting's live stream, not an official county communication.
How this recap was made: Prepared from the county's official minutes (the verified vote record) combined with the meeting's live stream (quotes and discussion). 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.
