The headline
Council authorizes Sheriff’s Office budget realignment to fund deputy raises. Council voted to authorize a budget-neutral restructuring within the Sheriff's Office, which freezes three vacant positions to reallocate funds toward a $3,000 raise for deputies and a potential performance bonus. The Sheriff emphasized that this move prioritizes the retention of current, qualified personnel to maintain public safety standards amidst recruiting challenges.
Public Presentation Guidelines Amendment:
Council amended its rules to allow two public presentations per meeting, limited to 15 minutes each.
Yes 5 · No 1
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How they voted
✓ 5 members voted yes✗ Sammie Tucker Jr.The official minutes recorded this vote as a count without listing each member by name.
What this was about
Council debated and passed an amendment to Appendix II of its rules, changing the policy for public presentations. The council moved from the originally proposed one presentation per meeting to a compromise of two presentations, each limited to 15 minutes. This change also codifies the requirement for a written request from a council member or the administrator to place an item on the agenda. This update aims to streamline council meetings while maintaining opportunities for community engagement. Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. dissented on the final vote for the amended guidelines.
PASSED For 5 · Against 1. The council moved to limit public presentations to two per meeting with a maximum duration of 15 minutes each
Votes at a glance ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Stormwater Management Ordinance (3rd Reading):
Council clarified county responsibility regarding stormwater monitoring for permits issued by DHEC outside the SMS4 area.
Water & sewer
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
This ordinance amends the 2015 Stormwater Management Ordinance to specify that Kershaw County does not have a mandatory monitoring and enforcement role for state-issued permits outside of the Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (SMS4). The amendment was initiated by Council to ensure clarity, as SCDHEC retains primary authority for land disturbance activities outside the SMS4. The measure specifies that while the county may take action on a complaint-driven basis, it is not mandated to perform routine monitoring of these state-issued permits. This action follows a June 13, 2023, Council directive to address stormwater regulations in non-SMS4 areas. The Planning and Zoning Commission previously recommended approval with a 4-0 vote. This change helps prevent misinterpretation of county duties and aligns the ordinance with current federal and state regulatory frameworks. No public comment was provided during the public hearing phase on September 12.
PASSED (Unanimous)
RV Campground Stay Limit Ordinance (3rd Reading):
Council removed specific time limits for RV stays, instead allowing parks to operate provided stays remain non-permanent.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
This ordinance revises the Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations regarding recreational vehicle (RV) parks. Originally proposed to extend the length of stay from three months to nine, Council ultimately shifted the approach to a non-permanent stay model. Under the final version, operators must maintain guest registries for two years to assist with potential enforcement, and the ordinance clarifies that RVs cannot remain in a park on a permanent basis. This move aims to provide local business owners with flexibility to compete with neighboring counties while ensuring the county retains the ability to address issues through complaint-driven enforcement. Councilman Derek Shoemake spearheaded the changes, reflecting feedback from local campground operators who emphasized their ability to self-regulate. The ordinance passed unanimously following an amendment to shift away from strict, specific time-frame caps.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Zoning Map Amendment for Lugoff-Elgin High School (1st Reading):
Council approved the first reading of a rezoning request to allow a cell tower at Lugoff-Elgin High School.
DevelopmentSchools
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
The Council approved the first reading to rezone approximately 104.17 acres of the Lugoff-Elgin High School property from R-15 (Low Density Residential) to B-2 (General Business). This change is intended to facilitate the construction of a 195-foot monopole cell tower on the campus. School officials emphasized that this project is a long-standing security priority to address poor cellular service and improve communications during school emergencies. While state law prohibits conditional rezoning for a single use, the entire site was rezoned to accommodate the tower. The project is expected to support four different wireless carriers. No public opposition was voiced at the meeting, and the request received a unanimous recommendation for approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission. This is the first of three readings required for final passage.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Appointment to Planning Commission (Heather Dykes):
Council voted 5-1 to nominate Heather Dykes for a seat on the Planning Commission.
DevelopmentAppointments
Yes 5 · No 1
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How they voted
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✗ Sammie Tucker Jr.What this was about
Council approved the nomination of Heather Dykes to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission, with Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. casting the dissenting vote. Dykes, a local business owner with experience in neighborhood development, will have her appointment ratified during the October 10 meeting. This appointment fills one of two current vacancies. The Council discussed the high quality of applicants for the various boards and commissions during the meeting.
PASSED For 5 · Against 1
Appointment to Planning Commission (Ned Towell):
Council unanimously appointed Ned Towell to fill the remainder of a term on the Planning Commission.
DevelopmentAppointments
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
Ned Towell was unanimously nominated to fill the unexpired term of former Planning Commission Chairman Claude Eichelberger, who resigned on September 11. Towell, an investment manager with previous experience on the Board of Zoning Appeals and Camden City Council, is scheduled for ratification at the October 10 meeting. The appointment is contingent upon Towell resigning his position on the Board of Zoning Appeals.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Appointment to Tourism Advisory Committee (Vanessa Adams):
Council unanimously appointed Vanessa Adams to the Tourism Advisory Committee.
Appointments
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
Vanessa Adams was unanimously appointed to the Tourism Advisory Committee. Adams brings professional experience in travel, tourism, and hospitality to the volunteer role. Her appointment will assist the county in its tourism outreach efforts.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Public Presentation Guidelines Amendment:
Council amended its rules to allow two public presentations per meeting, limited to 15 minutes each.
Yes 5 · No 1
▸
detailsless
How they voted
✓ 5 members voted yes✗ Sammie Tucker Jr.The official minutes recorded this vote as a count without listing each member by name.
What this was about
Council debated and passed an amendment to Appendix II of its rules, changing the policy for public presentations. The council moved from the originally proposed one presentation per meeting to a compromise of two presentations, each limited to 15 minutes. This change also codifies the requirement for a written request from a council member or the administrator to place an item on the agenda. This update aims to streamline council meetings while maintaining opportunities for community engagement. Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. dissented on the final vote for the amended guidelines.
PASSED For 5 · Against 1. The council moved to limit public presentations to two per meeting with a maximum duration of 15 minutes each
Sheriff’s Office Budget Options (Option 1):
Council voted 5-1 to approve a budget-neutral restructuring to fund deputy raises via position freezes.
Taxes & budgetPublic safety
Yes 5 · No 1
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detailsless
How they voted
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✗ Sammie Tucker Jr.What this was about
Council voted 5-1 to approve Option 1, a budget-neutral salary restructuring for the Sheriff’s Office. The measure provides a $3,000 raise - inclusive of a previously awarded cost-of-living adjustment - for 66 deputies, with the potential for a performance bonus of up to $2,000 pending the availability of grant funds. To fund this, the Sheriff will freeze three vacant positions (two patrol and one litter officer) for the remainder of the budget cycle. The Sheriff stated that retaining qualified personnel is a priority due to recruiting challenges and that the department would prioritize quality over headcount. Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. voted against the motion, expressing concerns about the long-term impact of freezing positions and the possibility of future millage requests to restore the staffing levels.
PASSED For 5 · Against 1
Discussed, no vote ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Administrative updates: The County Administrator provided updates on the ongoing Comprehensive Plan process, including upcoming breakout sessions and workshops, and noted that efforts are underway to have the new boat ramp at Patriots Landing ready by summer 2024.
- Legal briefing: The Mount Pisgah Base Lease and Operating Agreement is scheduled to return to the council agenda on October 10.
Public comment ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Tim Taylor: Discussed the growth of the KC UPLIFTED boutique and the organization's need for a larger location in Camden or Lugoff by November 1st.
- Tom Webb, III: Invited the public to a film screening regarding the Declaration of Independence at American Patriot Coffee on September 28.
Coming up ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Next Council Meeting: October 10, 2023.
- Joint Meeting (Council and Planning Commission): October 3, 2023, at the Economic Development Training Center.
This is an independent summary prepared from the county's official published minutes and the meeting's live stream, not an official county communication.