Council moves to tackle debt and advance land-use planning
Council members unanimously approved the 2024 initiative to defease the 2008 General Obligation Bond and held a discussion on future budget priorities, including an update on the county's financial health and capital projects. The meeting also addressed land development regulations and infrastructure needs, including the funding of two new fire hydrants on Pine Grove Road.
12 votes12 passed1 split
The vote behind the headline
2024 Initiative to defease 2008 General Obligation Bond:Council discussed the payoff status of the 2008 general obligation bonds and planned for future debt reduction.Taxes & budget
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell
Following a motion by Councilman Russell Brazell, the Council received an update from Auditor Mark Wood regarding the initiative to pay off the county’s 2008 General Obligation Bonds. The report confirmed that the 2008B Bond has been paid off with a zero balance. The County Administrator, Danny Templar, detailed that the county has been using debt service reserves to aggressively pay down these obligations. The Council is now setting its sights on the remaining 2008A Bond, which has a current balance of approximately $1.2 million. The Auditor and Administrator emphasized that the payoff strategy avoids borrowing new money at higher interest rates. The goal is to fully eliminate this debt within the next few years without impacting essential capital projects or the seven-million-dollar sewer grant match. Councilman Brazell requested that the administration prepare an amortization schedule to keep the effort on track for the coming years.
Adoption of Agenda (including amendments):Council approved the meeting agenda after removing two items and reordering the Auditor's report.
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson
What this was about
The meeting began with a vote to adopt the agenda, which saw several key changes before the final approval. Councilman Derek Shoemake requested the removal of the item regarding the minor subdivision definition to allow for further research and the removal of a public hearing item that lacked the necessary 30-day notice. Additionally, the Auditor's report on the 2008 Bond defeasement was moved up to follow the adoption of the agenda. These amendments were approved unanimously by the members present. By adjusting the agenda, Council ensured that complex land-use regulations could be better researched while maintaining transparency for the scheduled financial update. The revised agenda was then adopted by a unanimous vote to guide the remainder of the proceedings.
2024 Initiative to defease 2008 General Obligation Bond:Council discussed the payoff status of the 2008 general obligation bonds and planned for future debt reduction.Taxes & budget
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell
Following a motion by Councilman Russell Brazell, the Council received an update from Auditor Mark Wood regarding the initiative to pay off the county’s 2008 General Obligation Bonds. The report confirmed that the 2008B Bond has been paid off with a zero balance. The County Administrator, Danny Templar, detailed that the county has been using debt service reserves to aggressively pay down these obligations. The Council is now setting its sights on the remaining 2008A Bond, which has a current balance of approximately $1.2 million. The Auditor and Administrator emphasized that the payoff strategy avoids borrowing new money at higher interest rates. The goal is to fully eliminate this debt within the next few years without impacting essential capital projects or the seven-million-dollar sewer grant match. Councilman Brazell requested that the administration prepare an amortization schedule to keep the effort on track for the coming years.
The Council reviewed and approved the minutes for the meeting held on February 27, 2024. Routine approval of minutes ensures the official record of county government actions is accurate and available for public transparency. No corrections or amendments were requested during the session, and the motion carried unanimously.
Rezone 1523 Bradley Road (3rd Reading):Council approved the final reading to rezone 0.92 acres from residential to general development.DevelopmentRoads
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson
What this was about
This ordinance finalizes the rezoning of a 0.92-acre parcel at 1523 Bradley Road from R-10 Medium Density Residential to GD General Development. The property owner, Richard Diehl, sought the change to construct additional warehouse storage for equipment related to his adjacent commercial business. The Planning Commission had previously forwarded a unanimous favorable recommendation, noting that the request was not arbitrary spot zoning because it abuts existing GD-zoned land. Council members expressed support for the owner as a steward of the community during the third reading. This rezoning is effective immediately, allowing the owner to move forward with his planned site improvements.
Joint Multi-County Business Park with Lee County (2nd Reading):Council approved the second reading to update the business park agreement with Lee County.Jobs & economyParks & rec
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Danny Catoe✓ Russell Brazell
What this was about
The Council passed the second reading of an ordinance to amend and restate the agreement for a joint multi-county industrial and business park with Lee County. This partnership allows both counties to provide tax incentives, specifically Jobs Tax Credits and fee-in-lieu of ad valorem tax (FILOT) agreements, to attract industries. The primary change from the first reading was the inclusion of a full legal description for the 'Evergreen Solar' property parcels. The agreement outlines the revenue-sharing proportions - 99% to the site-location county and 1% to the partner county - and ensures the county's ability to remain competitive for regional economic development projects. This is a recurring administrative update required to keep the multi-county park status active and legally compliant.
Amendment to Unified Code regarding minor subdivision definition:Council approved a text amendment to clarify density limits for residential versus apartment developments.Development
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell
What this was about
This ordinance, approved on its first reading, amends the Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR) to provide greater clarity regarding maximum dwelling densities. Following the adoption of Ordinance 397.2023, which increased minimum lot sizes to 15,000 square feet, this amendment explicitly differentiates between single-family residential density (4.35 units per acre) and multi-family/apartment density (6.71 units per acre) in specific zones like R-6, B-2, B-3, and GD. The change ensures that the policy goals established in 2023 are clearly codified, preventing ambiguity during the building permit application process. The measure passed unanimously and will move forward for further readings and a public hearing.
Lease Agreement with United Way of Kershaw County:Council approved a ten-year lease to provide office space for social services at the United Way center.County property
Yes 5 · No 1
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How they voted
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✗ Russell Brazell
What this was about
Council approved a resolution authorizing a ten-year, three-month lease agreement with the United Way of Kershaw County for office space at the Holsten Center on DeKalb Street. The county is statutorily required to provide facilities for the Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (Medicaid). The new lease increases the monthly rent to $15,000, covering electricity, water, sewer, gas, janitorial services, and maintenance. This agreement secures the location through June 30, 2034. While the measure passed, Councilman Russell Brazell cast the lone dissenting vote, as the agreement represents a significant long-term financial commitment to satisfy these state-mandated obligations.
FY25 Budget Priorities:Council formally adopted a ranked list of operational priorities to guide the upcoming fiscal year's budget development.Taxes & budget
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell
The Council voted 6-0 to adopt a prioritized list of operational initiatives derived from the recent Budget Retreat. These priorities were ranked using a numerical system where members assigned weight to various needs. High-priority items identified for the budget include increasing the starting salary for full-time General Fund employees to $15 per hour, ensuring competitive wages for specialty fields like detention and solid waste, and adding staff for the Detention Center and 911 Communications. The Administrator clarified that while this list provides guidance, not every item - especially those rated as medium or low priority - is guaranteed to be funded, as final inclusion depends on available revenue and ongoing departmental reviews. This move formally sets the stage for the upcoming series of Finance Committee workshops and the scheduled budget readings starting in April.
PASSEDFor 6 · Against 0. Note: The official record reflects 6-0 as Vice-Chairman Jones was opposed to the motion to approve the priorities.
Council members unanimously approved a slate of seven workshop dates for the Finance Committee to review departmental budgets for the next fiscal year. The sessions are scheduled for afternoons between March 8 and April 11, 2024, and will involve individual reviews of county departments and outside agencies. Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. confirmed that the committee plans to prioritize meetings with elected officials who were not heard during the initial budget retreat. The workshops will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., with specific department assignments to be determined by staff.
Funding for two fire hydrants on Pine Grove Road:Council approved $12,000 for the installation of two fire hydrants to serve the Pine Grove Road area.EMS & fireRoads
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell
Following a request from citizens in the Pine Grove Road area, Council unanimously approved $12,000 in funding to install two new fire hydrants. The project will be coordinated by the Kershaw County Fire Department in partnership with the Lugoff Elgin Water Authority. Administrator Danny Templar noted that the funding will come from the General Fund. Council members emphasized that while they supported this specific request, they want future requests for infrastructure improvements to be handled through the standard budget process after evaluating water capacity and need across other parts of the county.
Routine Housekeeping (Enter/Exit Executive Session, Adjourn):Council entered a brief executive session for legal advice and then adjourned the meeting.
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Danny Catoe✓ Russell Brazell
Council voted to enter into an executive session to discuss land development regulations, as permitted under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Following a short, seven-minute discussion with legal counsel, Council reconvened in open session and announced that no votes or formal actions were taken during the private session. The meeting was officially adjourned at 7:40 p.m. by a unanimous vote.
Building Permit Allocation System: Councilman Shoemake briefed the council on a forthcoming ordinance intended to manage residential growth; the matter will be sent to the Planning Commission for review before returning to Council.
Administrator Briefing: Staff provided updates on the Comp Plan review process, potential ankle monitor programs to reduce jail population, and progress on the boat ramp and sewer expansion projects.
Public comment▸showhide
Residents addressed Council on several topics:
- Concerns regarding local development impacts and infrastructure pressure.
- Requests for increased community outreach and incentive-based programs regarding litter control.
- Input on regional historical preservation and the need for greater transparency between local government bodies regarding development projects.
- Comments on the preservation of individual liberties and freedom.
Coming up▸showhide
Joint Council and Planning Commission meeting: March 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the Economic Development office.
Finance Committee Workshops: Series beginning March 8, 2024.
FY25 Budget Readings: First reading scheduled for April 23, 2024.
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.
