The headline
Major wastewater expansion and safety planning approved. The Council took significant steps toward infrastructure growth by awarding a $16.4 million contract to M.B. Kahn Waterworks for a 1-million-gallon-per-day expansion of the wastewater treatment plant. Additionally, the Council committed $200,000 in matching funds to support a regional safety action plan aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving pedestrian infrastructure along the Highway 1 and White Pond Road corridors.
Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan Funding:
Council approved $200,000 in matching funds to pursue a $1 million regional safety grant.
RoadsGrants
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell BrazellWhat this was about
Council approved a $200,000 local match to support a regional safety action plan grant application through the Santee-Lynches Council of Governments. This federal grant program provides up to $1 million total, which will be used to address traffic congestion and pedestrian safety issues along the U.S. Highway 1 and White Pond Road corridors. These areas have seen increased traffic due to regional growth, and the funds will allow for necessary safety improvements such as improved signaling and signage. This initiative marks a shift for the county under the Santee-Lynches membership, which officials highlighted as a successful move to secure regional infrastructure funding. The motion passed unanimously, demonstrating a commitment to addressing critical roadway safety hazards.
PASSED (Unanimous). Council approved $200,000 in matching funds to secure regional grant support for roadway and pedestrian safety improvements
Who said what
» Danny Templar Presenter: detailed how the grant funding works and where the improvements will focus ▶︎» Sammie Tucker Jr. Council Member: noted the importance of the corridor improvements for the county's growth ▶︎» Ben Connell Chairman: linked the success of this grant opportunity to the county's recent switch to the Santee-Lynches COG ▶︎Votes at a glance ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Chapter 32 Utilities Ordinance Amendment (3rd Reading):
Council updated sewer use ordinance definitions and pre-treatment requirements to align with federal regulations.
Water & sewer
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek ShoemakeWhat this was about
This ordinance serves as a technical cleanup of the Kershaw County sewer use code. It primarily addresses pre-treatment provisions, which are mandates for local governments that operate sewer programs under federal standards. While the county’s existing program was generally compliant, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services requested more explicit language within the ordinance to ensure clarity. The amendments reorganize certain definitions and surcharge calculations to match federal code requirements. This was the third and final reading, following previous votes on February 11 and March 11. No public comments were received during the public hearing held at 6:25 p.m. The measure passed unanimously, ensuring the county remains in compliance with state and federal oversight.
PASSED (Unanimous). This update clarifies definitions and pre-treatment requirements for the county sewer ordinance to align with federal regulations
Private Hangar License and Hangar Construction Ordinance (3rd Reading):
Council approved standardized hangar lease rates and economic development incentives for airport tenants.
Taxes & budgetJobs & economyDevelopment
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ 6 members voted yesThe official minutes recorded this vote as a count without listing each member by name.
What this was about
This ordinance formalizes contract terms and lease rates for private hangars at the Kershaw County Airport. The measure establishes a tiered pricing structure: $0.19 per square foot for hangars with electricity, $0.24 for those with electricity and water, and $0.14 for the older wooden hangar. Crucially, the Council added amendments to incentivize economic development. Tenants who register aircraft worth at least $500,000 in the county and meet criteria like job creation or high capital investment can receive rent abatement. These changes ensure the airport moves toward self-sustainability as required by FAA grant guidelines while providing a clear framework for long-term ground leases. The ordinance passed with a 6-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Russell Brazell abstaining due to a potential conflict of interest regarding the incentive criteria.
PASSED For 6 · Against 0 (R. Brazell abstained). The ordinance was approved alongside two amendments establishing specific ground lease rates, economic development abatement criteria, and requirements that aircraft must be registered and taxed in Kershaw County
Who said what
» Ben Connell Chairman: explained that the airport must formalize contracts to protect taxpayer interests and ensure self-sustainability ▶︎» Jimmy Jones Council Member: raised concerns about the fairness for non-corporate tenants who built their own hangars ▶︎» Russell Brazell Vice-Chairman: announced he would abstain because he would qualify for the new incentives ▶︎» Sammie Tucker Jr. Council Member: questioned the impact of the abatement timeline on existing tenants who already passed their original lease term ▶︎
Construction Contract for WWTP Expansion (3 MGD):
The county awarded a $16.4 million contract to expand wastewater capacity by 1 million gallons daily.
Water & sewerGrants
Unanimous · 7-0
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detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell BrazellWhat this was about
Council approved a $16,467,915 contract with M.B. Kahn Waterworks to expand the county’s wastewater treatment plant. This project will increase capacity by 1 million gallons per day, bringing total operations to 3 million gallons. The project is funded by a $10 million state grant from the Rural Infrastructure Authority, with the remainder covered by local enterprise funds. The original bid was valued engineered down from over $17.7 million to reach the final contract price. This expansion is viewed as a vital step in supporting the county's industrial growth and economic development efforts. The contract was awarded to the only bidder, M.B. Kahn Waterworks, after a thorough review of the construction requirements.
PASSED (Unanimous). This award funds the expansion of wastewater treatment capacity using $10 million in state grant funding alongside local enterprise funds
Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan Funding:
Council approved $200,000 in matching funds to pursue a $1 million regional safety grant.
RoadsGrants
Unanimous · 7-0
▸
detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell BrazellWhat this was about
Council approved a $200,000 local match to support a regional safety action plan grant application through the Santee-Lynches Council of Governments. This federal grant program provides up to $1 million total, which will be used to address traffic congestion and pedestrian safety issues along the U.S. Highway 1 and White Pond Road corridors. These areas have seen increased traffic due to regional growth, and the funds will allow for necessary safety improvements such as improved signaling and signage. This initiative marks a shift for the county under the Santee-Lynches membership, which officials highlighted as a successful move to secure regional infrastructure funding. The motion passed unanimously, demonstrating a commitment to addressing critical roadway safety hazards.
PASSED (Unanimous). Council approved $200,000 in matching funds to secure regional grant support for roadway and pedestrian safety improvements
Who said what
» Danny Templar Presenter: detailed how the grant funding works and where the improvements will focus ▶︎» Sammie Tucker Jr. Council Member: noted the importance of the corridor improvements for the county's growth ▶︎» Ben Connell Chairman: linked the success of this grant opportunity to the county's recent switch to the Santee-Lynches COG ▶︎
Budget and Finance Housekeeping:
Council finalized dates for the upcoming budget retreat, reading schedule, and finance committee meetings.
Taxes & budget
Unanimous · 7-0
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detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
Council approved a series of financial planning dates to facilitate the 2025-2026 budget process. The annual budget retreat is scheduled for April 3-5 at the Economic Development Training Center. The Council also set the formal reading schedule for the budget ordinance, with the first reading in title only on April 22, the second on May 27, and the third on June 24. Additionally, a list of upcoming Finance Committee meetings - April 1, 7, 24, and 29 - was approved to ensure consistent financial oversight. These measures were brought forward by Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. following recent committee sessions, aiming to ensure transparency and sufficient time for public and staff input throughout the budgeting cycle.
PASSED (Unanimous). Council approved dates for the annual budget retreat (April 3-5), the 2025-2026 budget reading schedule, and a series of Finance Committee meetings
Discussed, no vote ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Salary Study: Councilman Jimmy Jones requested that the County Administrator initiate a salary study for county employees, noting that the last comprehensive review occurred in 2000. Staff will develop a cost estimate and report back to the Finance Committee.
- SCART Presentation: Representatives from the South Carolina American Revolution Trust (SCART) provided an update on their new research center at the Robert Mills Courthouse and their ongoing efforts to preserve Revolutionary War artifacts.
Public comment ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Krishonda Tones spoke regarding the importance of implementing financial literacy programs in the county to help residents manage debt and economic opportunities.
- Tom Webb III expressed concerns regarding the county’s litter ordinance, specifically questioning the justification for current fine structures and the impact of wind-blown debris on roadside violations.
Coming up ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Finance Committee Meetings: April 1, April 7, April 24, and April 29 at 4:00 p.m. (Room 207, Government Center).
- Annual Budget Retreat: April 3-5 at the Economic Development Training Center.
- Budget First Reading (Title Only): April 22, 2025.
This is an independent summary prepared from the county's official published minutes and the meeting's live stream, not an official county communication.