The headline
Kershaw County Council advanced several ordinances aimed at managing the county's rapid growth while addressing concerns from the local building community. The Council also focused on improving medical care standards at the county jail, approving a contract for Advanced Correctional Health Care (ACH) to provide enhanced services.
Detainee Health Services Contract (Proposal #25-128-04):
Council approved an $828,871 annual contract with Advanced Correctional Healthcare to enhance medical care at the jail.
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
This item approves Proposal #25-128-04 awarding the detainee health services contract to Advanced Correctional Healthcare (ACH) for $828,871.53 annually. Although ACH's bid was approximately $172,000 higher than a competing vendor, county staff and the Finance Committee recommended ACH because it upgrades facility staffing from Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to Registered Nurses (RNs) for 80 hours per week, adds an RN supervisor, and expands prescriber hours. ACH will also support in-house Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) in partnership with the Alpha Center and assist with mental health evaluations, reducing off-site transports to medical facilities. Vice Chairman Russell Brazell initially requested a deferral to examine contract details, prompting Council to push the discussion to the end of the meeting so County Administrator Danny Templar could gather specifics. After Templar confirmed the increased nursing credentials, prescriber availability, and mandatory health screenings, Brazell expressed full support. Council passed the contract unanimously among members present.
PASSED (Unanimous). The Council approved the contract for Advanced Correctional Health Care (ACH), citing a necessary shift from LPNs to RNs and increased prescriber availability to ensure higher standards of care and liability protection
Who said what
» Derek Shoemake: pointed out that the higher bid provides significantly higher quality medical staff at the jail, saving money in the long run ▶︎» Russell Brazell: requested detailed information about staffing levels and contract costs before feeling comfortable casting a vote ▶︎» Danny Templar: explained that the contract upgrades staffing to Registered Nurses for 80 hours weekly plus a supervisor and expands prescriber availability ▶︎» Danny Catoe: noted that enhanced on-site care reduces hazardous off-site medical transports and limits county liability ▶︎» Sammie Tucker Jr.: highlighted that upgrading from LPNs to RNs raises the level of medical certification at the facility ▶︎Votes at a glance ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Joint Industrial and Business Park Boundary Amendment (1st Reading):
This housekeeping measure removes non-performing properties from the joint park agreement with Fairfield County.
Jobs & economyParks & 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 first reading ordinance amends the joint industrial and business park agreement between Kershaw County and Fairfield County to remove certain non-performing properties located within Kershaw County. Specifically, County Attorney John DuBose described the ordinance as a housekeeping measure involving the Kawashima properties. Because Council previously approved economic development incentives for new companies reoccupying those sites, those projects were placed into the Lee-Kershaw park agreement instead. As a result, the former non-performing, vacant properties are no longer eligible for multi-county industrial park status under the Kershaw-Fairfield park agreement. Removing these parcels cleans up county records and ensures proper economic development alignment across regional parks. The ordinance passed first reading unanimously without controversy. It will require two additional readings and a public hearing prior to final adoption.
PASSED (Unanimous). This "housekeeping" measure removes non-performing properties from the joint park agreement with Fairfield County
Rezoning 32.17 Acres at 41 Youngs Bend Road to General Development (2nd Reading):
Council approved a second reading to rezone 32.17 acres on Youngs Bend Road to General Development.
DevelopmentRoads
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
This ordinance approves second reading to rezone a 32.17-acre portion of parcel TMS# 062-00-00-025 PO at 41 Youngs Bend Road in Kershaw. The property owner requested to change the zoning classification from Rural Development (RD-2) to General Development (GD) to allow business expansion. Planning Commission materials noted that the parcel is surrounded by General Development zoning on at least three sides, including across the roadway and to its south. First reading was approved on March 24, 2026, without opposition. Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. commended the business owners for being good neighbors in the Westville community and encouraged their continued growth. Councilman Danny Catoe confirmed that the surrounding parcels were already zoned General Development. The rezoning passed unanimously on second reading and will proceed to a third and final reading.
PASSED (Unanimous)
Amendment to ZLDR Section 3:3 Rural Country Golf Club Requirements (2nd Reading):
Council approved second reading amending conditional use regulations for rural country golf clubs, including guest lodging limits.
Parks & rec
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
This ordinance updates Section 3:3.28 of the Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR) governing conditional uses for rural country golf clubs. First reading passed on March 24, 2026, with initial revisions adjusting guest lodge definitions, event regulations, and setback requirements. At second reading, County Attorney John DuBose noted minor corrections to typographical errors and aligned conflict-of-law provisions with standard county ordinance language. Applicant representative Stephen Smoak requested an adjustment to increase maximum guest lodge floor area from 18,000 to 20,000 square feet to align with proposed master site renderings, while maintaining a cap of 24 bedroom units. Staff lodging regulations were also clarified to cap staff facilities at 8,000 square feet with a maximum of 16 units. Councilman Danny Catoe moved to approve second reading with the applicant's requested amendments, which passed unanimously. The measure must clear a third reading before taking full effect.
PASSED (Unanimous, as amended). The Council approved amendments to correct scrivener's errors, align with standard conflict-of-law provisions, and adjust guest lodging square footage to 20,000 sq. ft
Who said what
» John DuBose: explained that minor typographical errors were fixed and the conflict-of-law language was brought into standard county alignment ▶︎» Stephen Smoak: thanked council and affirmed that no other substantive changes were submitted beyond those previously reviewed ▶︎» Danny Catoe: moved to approve the ordinance on second reading incorporating the corrected text and the applicant's requested lodge size amendment ▶︎
Solicitation and Panhandling Ordinance (2nd Reading):
Council approved a second reading establishing panhandling regulations while preserving permits for registered non-profits and emergency services.
DevelopmentEMS & fire
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
This ordinance amends Chapter 24 of the Kershaw County Code of Ordinances to establish regulations governing solicitation and panhandling within unincorporated areas. Following first reading on March 24, 2026, concerns were raised regarding potential impacts on charitable fundraising by local volunteer organizations. Councilman Derek Shoemake introduced second-reading amendments explicitly clarifying that registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, volunteer fire departments, and rescue squads may continue soliciting roadside donations provided they obtain proper county permits. County Attorney John DuBose affirmed that existing code provisions protecting charitable and emergency squad fundraising remain fully valid and unaffected by prohibitions on aggressive panhandling. The ordinance aims to protect public safety on county roadways while preserving legitimate community fundraising activities. Council approved the second reading unanimously as amended, sending the ordinance to a third and final reading.
PASSED (Unanimous, as amended). The approved version explicitly protects the ability of registered 501c3 groups, rescue squads, and volunteer fire departments to solicit funds with a permit
Who said what
» Derek Shoemake: explained that the second reading amendment protects permitted roadside fundraising by rescue squads, volunteer firefighters, and non-profits ▶︎» John DuBose: confirmed that the amendment clarifies that existing code sections allowing permitted charitable solicitations remain valid ▶︎
Detainee Health Services Contract (Proposal #25-128-04):
Council approved an $828,871 annual contract with Advanced Correctional Healthcare to enhance medical care at the jail.
Unanimous · 7-0
▸
detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny CatoeWhat this was about
This item approves Proposal #25-128-04 awarding the detainee health services contract to Advanced Correctional Healthcare (ACH) for $828,871.53 annually. Although ACH's bid was approximately $172,000 higher than a competing vendor, county staff and the Finance Committee recommended ACH because it upgrades facility staffing from Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to Registered Nurses (RNs) for 80 hours per week, adds an RN supervisor, and expands prescriber hours. ACH will also support in-house Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) in partnership with the Alpha Center and assist with mental health evaluations, reducing off-site transports to medical facilities. Vice Chairman Russell Brazell initially requested a deferral to examine contract details, prompting Council to push the discussion to the end of the meeting so County Administrator Danny Templar could gather specifics. After Templar confirmed the increased nursing credentials, prescriber availability, and mandatory health screenings, Brazell expressed full support. Council passed the contract unanimously among members present.
PASSED (Unanimous). The Council approved the contract for Advanced Correctional Health Care (ACH), citing a necessary shift from LPNs to RNs and increased prescriber availability to ensure higher standards of care and liability protection
Who said what
» Derek Shoemake: pointed out that the higher bid provides significantly higher quality medical staff at the jail, saving money in the long run ▶︎» Russell Brazell: requested detailed information about staffing levels and contract costs before feeling comfortable casting a vote ▶︎» Danny Templar: explained that the contract upgrades staffing to Registered Nurses for 80 hours weekly plus a supervisor and expands prescriber availability ▶︎» Danny Catoe: noted that enhanced on-site care reduces hazardous off-site medical transports and limits county liability ▶︎» Sammie Tucker Jr.: highlighted that upgrading from LPNs to RNs raises the level of medical certification at the facility ▶︎Discussed, no vote ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- Homestead Exemption Plan: Vice-Chairman Brazell proposed a multi-year plan to increase homestead exemptions for seniors, eventually aiming for full tax exemptions for those over 75 with homes valued under $500,000. No vote was taken; the Council will continue to study fiscal impacts.
- Pecan Orchard Drainage: Council members and the County Administrator discussed ongoing drainage and property acquisition efforts. While frustration remains regarding the timeline, administration reiterated that legal and engineering steps - including utility identification and property appraisals - are currently underway.
Public comment ▸ tap to showtap to hide
Four residents addressed the Council: - Mark Wood expressed disappointment regarding the progress of drainage projects in the Pecan Orchard neighborhood. - Isaac McCaskill inquired about the status of a property tax seizure issue previously brought before Council. - David Dabney urged a "common sense" approach to permit allocations and ADU restrictions, emphasizing the impact on local builders and families. - William Robinson invited the public to the Knights Hill Park May Festival on May 9th and announced new free golf instruction for the community.
Coming up ▸ tap to showtap to hide
- The Council will continue monitoring the progress of the Pecan Orchard project and expects further updates on drainage and property acquisition timelines.
- Future meetings will further address the "Smart Growth" ordinance recommendations previously introduced in the March 31st special meeting.
Independent summary, generated from the county's public video, not an official county communication.