The headline
Council sets the stage for 2026 with regulatory and administrative planning. In the final meeting of 2025, the Council passed the first readings of three significant ordinances aimed at regulating synthetic cannabinoid sales, remapping a commercial land parcel, and establishing rules for golf cart operation. Members also opened a collaborative dialogue with the new state Department of Environmental Services (DES) to address county stormwater permitting and maintenance needs through a potential pilot partnership.
Resolution Approving 2026 Council Meeting Dates (None):
Council adopted the formal calendar for its 2026 regular meetings held on second and fourth Tuesdays.
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
Council adopted Resolution #001-2026, which sets the schedule for the body's regular meetings throughout 2026. The resolution maintains the traditional cadence of meeting on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Kershaw County Government Center in Camden. The first meeting of the new year is scheduled for January 13, 2026. During the discussion, Chairman Ben Connell noted that the Council intends to utilize additional work sessions throughout the year to handle the upcoming budget cycle, which may require adjustments to the formal calendar. The approval ensures the public has sufficient notice of when the Council will convene. The resolution passed unanimously with all members present or participating via remote call.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Votes at a glance ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Adoption of Agenda, Proclamations, Audit Presentation, Minutes Approval, Appointments, and Executive Session:
Council approved routine administrative items, including a church anniversary proclamation, the annual audit, and commission appointments.
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
This item bundled several standard administrative procedures required to conduct county business. Council adopted the meeting agenda and unanimously approved the minutes from the November 18, 2025, regular meeting. Members also issued a proclamation honoring Mt. Moriah Baptist Church for its 160th anniversary, recognizing its long-standing role as a community cornerstone and its service to the needy. Additionally, the Council received a positive fiscal year 2024-2025 audit report from Sheheen, Hancock and Godwin, LLP, which noted clean financial statements and better-than-expected budget performance. During the appointments portion, Christopher Stryffeler was named to the Planning Commission for District 5, and a slate of four nominees - Conor Rom, Virginia Long, Danielle Preussner, and Jennifer Branham - was approved for the Clean Community Commission. These routine actions ensure the continuity of county governance, regulatory compliance, and community representation.
PASSED (Unanimous/6-0 vote on minutes)
Who said what
» Sammie Tucker Jr. Council Member: praised Mt. Moriah Baptist Church for its long-standing commitment to feeding the hungry and serving as a local pillar. ▶︎» Russell Brazell Vice-Chairman: congratulated the church members on their milestone and their service to the faith community. ▶︎
Ordinance to Regulate Hemp-Derived/Synthetic Cannabinoid Retail (1st Reading):
Council advanced a zoning ordinance to restrict the sale of synthetic cannabinoid products in retail shops.
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 Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations to designate hemp-derived or synthetic cannabinoid retail as a conditional use. By establishing specific location, separation, and operational restrictions, the Council aims to curb the rapid growth of these products in vape shops and gas stations, which members described as a public health threat. The measure addresses concerns that these products, often marketed as legal under a federal loophole, lack potency testing and pose dangers to youth. Public speakers, including a pastor and an Alpha Center board member, urged the Council to limit the accessibility of these intoxicating substances. The ordinance passed its first reading unanimously and will head to the Planning Commission for further review on January 12 before a public hearing on January 27, 2026. It also includes operational requirements like mandatory ID checks and product testing for existing retailers.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Who said what
» Russell Brazell Vice-Chairman: argued that synthetic cannabinoid products are harmful and that the county must use zoning tools to limit their local availability. ▶︎» Sammie Tucker Jr. Council Member: inquired about the impact on current stores and the need for coordination with surrounding municipalities like Camden and Elgin. ▶︎
Ordinance to Rezone 4.18 acres at 209 Boulware Road (1st Reading):
Council approved remapping a parcel in Lugoff to B-2 zoning to allow for unified site development.
DevelopmentRoads
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
Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to rezone a 4.18-acre tract at 209 Boulware Road in Lugoff from General Development (GD) to General Business (B-2). Representing the applicant, John Wells explained that the move is intended to consolidate the zoning of contiguous parcels owned by the Upurch estate. The property currently carries a mix of zoning designations, which creates complications for potential sale or development. By shifting the parcel to the more restrictive B-2 classification, the owners can align it with adjacent lots on Ridgeway Road. The Council found the request logical and straightforward, viewing it as a cleanup of property records rather than a significant shift in land-use intensity. Planning staff confirmed the proposal aligns with standard county land-use policies. The ordinance will proceed to further readings in the new year.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Ordinance to Establish Golf Cart Regulations (1st Reading):
Council passed an ordinance allowing golf cart operation on public streets after sunset, following state law guidelines.
Parks & rec
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 aligns local rules with state legislation regarding the operation of registered golf carts on public streets. Under the new guidelines, golf carts may be operated within unincorporated areas of Kershaw County, provided they stay on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less and remain within four miles of the registered address. The regulation requires drivers to be at least 16 years old with a valid license, mandates insurance coverage, and requires children under 12 to wear seatbelts. Significantly, the ordinance updates the rules to allow for operation after sunset, which had previously been restricted by state sunset clauses. Councilman Brant Tomlinson and Councilman Jimmy Jones sponsored the measure to provide residents with more flexibility in neighborhood travel. The ordinance passed its first reading unanimously and will proceed through the standard legislative process.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Who said what
» Brant Tomlinson Council Member: explained that the ordinance is necessary to update local rules to match recent state changes allowing night operation. ▶︎» Sammie Tucker Jr. Council Member: questioned the specific safety requirements, such as lighting and mirrors, required for night operation under the ordinance. ▶︎
Resolution Approving 2026 Council Meeting Dates (None):
Council adopted the formal calendar for its 2026 regular meetings held on second and fourth Tuesdays.
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 adopted Resolution #001-2026, which sets the schedule for the body's regular meetings throughout 2026. The resolution maintains the traditional cadence of meeting on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Kershaw County Government Center in Camden. The first meeting of the new year is scheduled for January 13, 2026. During the discussion, Chairman Ben Connell noted that the Council intends to utilize additional work sessions throughout the year to handle the upcoming budget cycle, which may require adjustments to the formal calendar. The approval ensures the public has sufficient notice of when the Council will convene. The resolution passed unanimously with all members present or participating via remote call.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Discussed, no vote ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Pecan Orchard Project: Council discussed project timelines, noting that permitting is underway; members requested a progress update at the January meeting.
- West Wateree Pickleball Courts: Council reviewed a $105,000 private donation offered for the construction of pickleball courts; staff will research total costs to determine next steps.
- Stormwater Management: Following a presentation from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (DES), Council discussed potential collaboration and the possibility of a stakeholder summit in early 2026 to explore efficient stormwater program management.
Coming up ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Work Session Planning: Council is expected to set dates for budget work sessions during the January 2026 meeting.
- Stormwater Summit: A follow-up discussion regarding the proposed DES partnership is scheduled for the January 2026 meeting.
- Public Hearing: The proposed ordinance regarding cannabinoid product restrictions is scheduled for a public hearing at the January 27, 2026, meeting.
This is an independent summary prepared from the county's official published minutes and the meeting's live stream, not an official county communication.