Machine transcript of the county's live stream. Each » marks a change of speaker; the captions don't say who is talking, and names are often misspelled. For the readable version see the recap; the official record is the county's minutes.
» Hey, Jimmy, can you hear us? Jimmy, can you hear us? Hey, Jimmy, are you there? Test, test, one, two, test. How do we drive back, Russell? Yes, sir. Two minutes. It's up. Let's go. All set? Yep, looks like microphones are up. I think this mic is up. How about now? You got it? You got audio? Good. Let's go. Well, Merry Christmas, everybody. We've got a big agenda today. We've started out with a public hearing. I'm wondering if we've got anybody that wanted to sign up for the public hearing with Mr. DuBose. If not, we'll work it in later on. But the public hearing has to do with, let's see, a philo arrangement on economic development. So with that, Mr. DuBose. Okay, great. Okay. He says we've got audio. We don't have audio. I've got it now. How about now? Check. Yep, we got you.
» Loud and clear. Okay. I need to explain up front before I open the session that while we're here today and we are required as a council to have one meeting a month. And on the last meeting schedule on Tuesday, we're unable to get a quorum. And today, you can see that we're about there. And next week, in being Holy Week, it just gets harder and harder. And so I thank you all for your flexibility in joining us today. And with that, we'll move ahead. I will make a notice to you that at the appropriate point in the proceeding, we're going to amend the agenda to put the appropriate date on the top because it still reflects a Tuesday meeting. And with that, we have a quorum. Mr. Jones is on the phone. Mr. Tomlinson is airborne right now and will call when he lands in Florida.
» But I would like to begin, before I even open the session, with a moment of silence. We lost some great people, among others, Willie Mickle. Danny lost his brother. And we lost Judge Edwards, probably the longest-serving employee of the county. And we lost four young men to fentanyl, which is a tragedy beyond belief. So can you join me in a moment of silence, please? Amen. Amen. And may our Christmas have no such loss again. With that, we're called to order. We have a quorum of five people with four present in accordance with the law. And with that, it's a great day in Kershaw County, all-American county. Tinsel Trail has begun. Veterans Park is maxed out every night. We've had parades. And one more to go in Boykin on Sunday for the first time in three years.
» We've got a great agenda to finally fix sewer. We've got two important economic development items. We're going to hear about a thoroughly balanced budget. We're going to hear from the Equine Center. And my personal favorite, we have DNR here for black bass fishermen. So with that, please stand and join me in prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Come, Holy Spirit. We remember the words of the good book. It says, blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. With that, may he shine on us in this meeting and in the year to come, and especially during the Christmas season to celebrate the birth of his son. And keep us all safe in this time and in the new year. All this we ask in the name of our son, our Savior, of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. Join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
» I pledge allegiance. To the flag. Thank you very much indeed. We are now moving to public comments. And with that, I ask Mr. DuBose to tell us what we have. Mr. Chairman, five people signed up for comment, public comment. Yeah. The first person signed up is Ted Davis. All right. Commander Ted Davis from the American Legion. We'll allot, what, three minutes? Are you going to keep the time for us? Three minutes. Five. Five minutes. Six of them. Five minutes. Thank you very much. And if you'll keep the time, go right ahead. Mr. Davis. Thank you very much. Ted, I appreciate it. Thank you. Can you put up on the screen the rules for the public hearing guidelines, public comment guidelines? Yeah. That's it. Mr. Chairman. Yeah. Go ahead. Do we have Mr. Jones on? Yes, we do. Yes, we do. Mr.
» Jones, can you hear us? Okay. Can you hear me? Yeah, we can hear you. We got you. Thank you, Russell. Yes, sir. Yeah, yeah. I thought we already established that. Very good. With that, we go ahead to the next one, Mr. DuBose. The second person signed up is Preston Christman. Okay, so Preston doesn't need to come up. Thank you. The third person signed up is Mary Brandenberger. Yes, ma'am. Good morning. Can you bring the mic down so everybody can hear you? Yeah, I hope so. Thank you very much. We'll make a note of that and pass it on. Mr. DuBose. The fourth person signed up is Jeff Maddox. Mr. Maddox. Good morning, guys. I'm not worried about what you guys are going to do today. I think those deals are done. The lines have been drawn. I'm here to talk about my friend Mary.
» Mary Segler has been there for me for years and years and years. And she's always had a smile on her face, always been helpful. I so much appreciate everything that she does. It's just incredible the way she's so open and caring. And it just amazes me how good a person that we have in our council. Mary, I love you. And I'll miss you. And whoever's taking over, you've got some big shoes to fill. Thank you. Thank you, guys. Thank you very much indeed. Mr. DuBose. The last person signed up is Matthew Hutchinson. Very good. Thank you, sir. I wish I would have let Jeff go last. I'm here to speak out against this meeting today at 10 a.m. There is nothing on the schedule for these chambers this afternoon, this evening.
» I've attempted to find out through various channels, but I don't think this chamber is booked this evening, if that's correct. So I don't know why the 10 a.m. meeting, unless you're trying to hide something or run from somebody who might be here to speak out against you. Also, the fact that this meeting was canceled on Tuesday due to not having a quorum is absolutely shameful. Scheduling vacations while you're a council member should be done with the schedule in mind. The people's business has to be done, so you should be here when the meeting's here. I think if my councilman were to do the same thing, I'd be looking for a new councilman next time the election comes around.
» As far as the sewer debt goes, y'all are going to pass it today, and we're going to take out a loan from the state, 2.7-something million dollars. Even though, you know, you've already been charging people the new fees, the user fee, for the last two years, and you could probably save up for a couple years to pay cash. You have the ARPA money, which could pay cash for this loan. You could buy new radios for the firefighters and EMTs in this county. You could even buy the new fire trucks that we're going to get money from the state for today. You could fund the new station up in Cassett, which really is your job, is for the protection of the citizens.
» But instead, you're going to build a pump station and then put money back into the account and pay interest on it, which is completely asinine to me. I don't run my household budget that way. I don't know anybody else who does. To finish up, I have a gift for Julian Burns on your last meeting. I'm sure you know General Smedley Butler. He was a two-time recipient of the Medal of Honor. He had a field grade commission to lieutenant and retired as a brigadier general. He wrote a pamphlet named War is a Racket, and he was speaking out against the military-industrial complex before Eisenhower gave his famous speech and before we've been in perpetual war. So, Mr. Burns, I bid you farewell.
» I wish you good luck in your next war, and I hope you have a good profit from selling your weapons for our proxy warriors over in Ukraine. I hope you and your fellow war pimps make a lot of money off the blood of American soldiers. And I'll leave this with Mr. Templer. He can give that to you. I hope you read it and meditate on it and change your ways. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. DuBose. That concludes the sign-up list. And that concludes public comments.
» We move now to a public hearing in regards to an ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of a fee in lieu by and between Kershaw County and Orion Performance Compounds, South Carolina Corporation, and 15 Mesa Lane, South Carolina Limited Liability Company with respect to certain economic development property in the county. With that, I'll open the public hearing. Mr. DuBose. One person signed up, Matthew Hutchinson. Mr. Hutchinson. Now, going through the public hearing guidelines, I'll just review those briefly. They're up on the board, I hope. Yes, there they are. Prior to the hearing, we have to publish the sign-up list, which we've done. And then when the public hearing is open, the persons be notified, and persons will speak in the order in which they signed up.
» Each person can speak a maximum of 10 minutes. And, of course, the usual matters of decorum apply. Go ahead, Mr. Hutchinson. Thank you. I'm here to speak out against the policy of a fee in lieu of taxes in general. As a small business owner myself, I think the last thing I would do would go to the government and ask for money or a break. This company was established here in South Carolina. I think it was incorporated in 2021. I've been looking and trying to find out some information about this company. It was a little hard to find. They're owned by another group and that sort of stuff. That's kind of how business is done, I guess, these days with multimillion-dollar corporations. I'm glad the building, that empty building, is getting filled up with somebody.
» It's been sitting up there, bought and paid for by the tax dollars of Kershaw County citizens. I'm glad somebody bought it and moved in. Hopefully, they hire people from Kershaw County, but there's no telling with that. I mean, they probably need some qualified individuals coming from somewhere else. This ties in with my last comment about wars of racket. I think, from what I found, one of their biggest customers is the U.S. government for polymers and frames for weapons. So, this is pretty ironic that they are the ones who came here to Kershaw County, signed this deal with the boondoggle up on the hill. I'm just excited about the new council coming in.
» Hopefully, we'll have a change of policy on the fee-in-lieu of taxes that we will stop selling ourselves out and keep our county rural, as all of us love it, us citizens. We want it to stay rural. So, thank you. Thank you very much. Mr. DuBose. That concludes the sign-up list of the public hearing. And I'll wait to see if there are any others coming forward. Since there are none, we'll move to close the public hearing and move to an adoption of the agenda. And as I said at the start, we're going to need to amend this agenda slightly to make a Scrivener's Era, which needs to change the date and time to the day. With that, can we have a motion to adopt the agenda? Make a motion. We approve the agenda, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Tucker, a second? Second. Second. Mr. Gardner.
» With that, can we have a motion to amend? Before we take that vote, I'd like to make the amendment to the agenda. Very good. And what would that be? I'd like to make the amendment that the date reflects December the 15th at 10 a.m. Very good. Can we have a second? Second. Any discussion? Mr. Tucker? None. Mr. Jones? I have an amendment I want to make to the agenda. All right. Go ahead, Mr. Jones. Okay. I would like to make the motion to remove from the agenda new business, number one, allocations of funds to support and support of the battlefield, number two, boards and commission appointments, number three, amend the council meeting schedule to include only meetings in January and February. When we talk about that for the second and fourth Tuesdays, that would be my amendment.
» Just to restate and see if we get a second, you want to delete item number one, allocation of funds in support of the honored dead on the battlefield. Item number two, boards and commission appointments, item number three, county council meeting schedule. Is that correct? To that amendment, Mr. Chairman, with all due respect, it is to include only scheduling the meetings for January and February. For meetings only in January and February. And if I can get a second, I'll be glad to explain all this, if I can get a second. All right. Can we get a second? I'll second it. Mr. Mr. Brasel. Okay, Mr. Jones, please explain. Thank you, Mr. Brasel, for a second and at least let me get on the floor to explain this.
» End of my discussion for my justification as to the battlefield funds, there's no proposal in the agenda as the source of where the money's coming from. We can take this up in January and we can readdress at that time and find the source of where the money's going to come from. And I truly believe that this council spends money with no transparency. And I support the concept of the request, but not the timing of the soldiers. And I will, as I said, I'll put it on the next agenda with the source of funds and hopefully might be able to support boards and commissions. That should be handled by the new council, guys. It needs to be addressed and supported, not by this council. This is the last meeting. And that's just showing respect.
» The schedule, let the new council members address setting their schedules for next year. We can certainly make the motion to schedule a meeting in January and maybe February, two meetings in January, February. But let the new council come in and set their plans for next year. But also, the audit report, it can wait and should wait until the new council comes in. And there's no reason to do it now. So those are my justifications as to why we should do that. The chairman is correct. We are under home roots, supposed to have one meeting a month. But we can hold that one meeting a month, open it up, give our best wishes, and say goodbye and let the new council come in and do their business. Other discussion, Mr. Brazel.
» I certainly agree with a portion of that, that new council is going to have to be responsible for where the money comes from, for the allocation of funds, for the honored debt, which I'm not sure the amount of money in total that they're going to need. But we'd definitely like to discuss that. But I think the guys who are going to be carrying the water next year should get the opportunity to appropriate it and to make sure that the county's secure enough to be able to do that. As well as take on all the other burdens and tasks that we have. As far as boards and commissions, I think that also should wait. And I think for this year's council to set the meetings for us for next year, I think that all should wait.
» And I think we've got other things on the agenda that need to be finished up in old business. I have no issues with any of the old business. So those are my comments. And I suppose we can put it to a vote. Thank you. Other discussion? Yes, sir, Mr. Jim. No, Mr. Tucker. I just want to say that as I duly understand Mr. Jones' motion and Mr. Brasel's second, and that some of you guys are going off at the end of this month. The people that did vote for you, which was the majority that put you in his office, did not put you in his office to govern for three years and 11 months. We must continue the people's business as this agenda is outlined, and anything the new council, and I will be a part of that come January, wants to change. They have the authority to change.
» Whether they want to do something totally different, add to it, amend it, that is their right to do. But to stop governing just because you're in your last weeks as an elected official is not what you signed up for, and I truly believe in that. This is not Washington, D.C., where you are lame ducks. We're closest to the people as you can get here by being county officials and city officials and local elected folks. So, for those reasons, I will not support this amendment this morning. Any other discussion? Mr. Jones, any final discussion before we go to a vote? Did you all hear me? Yes. Totally. Sandy makes a little bit of sense, but not a whole lot on that comment you just said. You know, guys, come on. This is absolutely absurd to have these things on the agenda for the last meeting.
» There's no reason why we can't wait until the first meeting in January when the new council comes on board. You don't even have a source of where the funding is coming from for the battlefield soldiers. You know, the boards and commissions, this new council should be making them because they're going to be living. Listen, folks, I don't mean no ugliness by this, but the fact is the people have voted down y'all's policy. The majority of people have spoken. And I'm just saying, out of respect for the new folks coming in, I think this is absurd to have this meeting today with all of this on the agenda. And I stand by my position. I'm going to vote against this agenda. Very good. Another discussion. All right. We have two amendments. We'll start on the first one to the agenda. That's Mr.
» Jones' amendment to delete the audit and items one, two, and three in the new business. All those in favor, signify. Mr. Jones, how do you vote? I vote yes. Delete it. Others, signify by raising your hand. And we have one other. And that's Mr. Brazel. Those opposed to that amendment, signify by raising your hand. And the amendment fails. We move to the first amendment, which is to change the date and time to today at 10. What was the vote on? What was the vote? I couldn't hear you. Yeah, it was three to two, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Tucker, and Mr. Burns in opposition. Now, we move now to, as I said, to the first amendment, which is to change the date and time group of the amendment. I'm sorry. I didn't hear you. If you would stop talking long enough to let me get my clarification, please, sir.
» Go ahead. It's hard to hear over this telephone, and you're moving so darn quickly. Just please bear with me. I don't mean to be ugly this morning, but I want a fair shot at this as well. I want to know who voted with my amendment. I will recite. Voted for your amendment was you and Mr. Brazel. Those against was Mr. Burns, Mr. Gardner, and Mr. Tucker. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And Ms. Mary has that duly recorded. With that, we move to the first amendment, which is Mr. Tucker's to change the date and time to today at 10. And let's move to a vote on that, starting with you, Jimmy. I vote no. And all those here present, how do you vote? All those in favor signify. And the agenda is amended accordingly. We move now to the final vote to vote on the amendment agenda as amended.
» All those in favor signify. All those in favor signify by raising your hand in the amendment. Mr. Burns, Mr. Tucker, and Mr. Gardner. Those opposed, Mr. Brazel. So we have two to three in favor. Jimmy, did you get that count? Yeah, thank you. All right, very good. And thank you for the opportunity to get back to you. We hope you're feeling better, and especially Mara. We move now to the next item on the agenda, which is a proclamation from Mr. Mike Mathis. It's at page four. It's at Annex A in your agenda. And I will read it and then take a motion. A proclamation in honor of Mike Mathis' decades of service in equestrian sports in Kershaw County.
» Whereas Kershaw County is horse country and noted nationally for its culture and love of horses and embraced Vision 2030's goal to leverage the equine industry for economic development and the preservation, protection, and promotion of horses, their training, stabling, and care, and thereby enhancing the richness of the culture and the sport for citizens and visitors alike. Whereas Kershaw County Council has invested in and supported the equine culture and businesses through every facet of the industry, most notably the equine park and associated events, and thereby bringing millions in tourism revenue, sales of horses, and of horse tack and equipment, enhancing property value, and maintaining the legacy of the horse in the county for future generations.
» Whereas Mike Mathis has served for over 13 years as director of the equine park and established Kershaw County as the premier equine showplace of the Midlands and with the SCE board, I believe they're present here today, enhanced its appeal over the entire state, drawing visitors from Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and nationwide. He has been tireless giving of weekends and weekdays for 40 shows a year with hundreds of horses per show and thousands of riders, trainers, and owners. Whereas upon his arrival in 2010, he renovated the park to bring it back to a functional equestrian center, working with council and the board to make it self-sustaining.
» Mike has overseen, number one, new footing in all rings and incentives and enhancements that bring enthusiasts from all over the southeast. Number two, new state-of-the-art covered arena. Number three, permanent restrooms at the new rings and sheds for ringside shade. Excuse me. Number four, grading and prep work for the 13 adjacent acres of land to become a trailer RV park. Whereas Mr. Mathis has mastered the needs of breeds, exhibitors, and associations to include, a long list follows, quarter horses, paints, hunter jumpers, rainers, dressage, western rodeo, and gated horses. Throughout, he has worked some 40 shows a year and leaving only a few weekends to himself.
» Whereas he also leads our emergency preparedness at the facility during natural disasters as to keep the park moving with the horse shows while accommodating evacuees as needed. Therefore, be it known, Kershaw County and the council join with the entire equestrian community and the people of Kershaw County in congratulating Mike Mathis for exceptional service above and beyond his duties in making the county the irreplaceable, unmatched home for horse lovers in the southeast and we wish him continued success as a grandfather and others in the years to come. Can we have a motion to approve? Make a motion that we approve, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Tucker, a second? Second. From Mr. Gardner. Any discussion? Sammy? I just wanted to say thank you, Mr.
» Mathis, for your service and your dedication here in Kershaw County. And, of course, the citizens are going to be the beneficiaries as these things continue to grow. Thank you. Mr. Jones. I just say congratulations, Mr. Mathis. We appreciate what you've done serving our community. Thank you. Thank you. Other comments? Mr. Gardner. Congratulations. I mean, you heard all the list of things that they've done. The job well done. We appreciate it. Thank you very much. And is the board here today? There they are. Can the boards just stand up for a minute? Very good. We're going to ask you to come up for pictures, but I presume that you agree with this award. With that, we move to a vote. Thank you very much for coming. Mr.
» Jones, how do you vote? And all others signify, and it's unanimous, Mary. Mike and the board, can you all come up, please? I just wanted to thank the council. This is Cindy Prestige, please, from the board. Vice Chairman. Chairman Tamara Flynn could not be here today, but I just want to thank council members for this opportunity and this acknowledgement of Mike Mathis. He has done an absolutely amazing job for the park and for the county. I mean, as Chairman Burns has spoken, it brings a lot of people in here, a lot of tourism dollars come in with the park. You know, 40 horse shows a year, and they can average anywhere from 150 to 250 horses. And more people than that come in with each horse. It's probably four or five per horse. And that may be a little bit off.
» But just thank you for this opportunity to be here and wanted to introduce Tanya Schnoiter. She is our new replacement. Connie, would you just hand it up? And we're ecstatic. She comes with a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of great ideas. And we just look to push the park forward and do even more for the county. Very good. Thank you. Thank you. And for the new director, Willkommen. Thank you. And Frohweinachsfest. Thank you very much. She's really quite an expert. And you get to know her, you need to ask her what her qualifications are. They're very impressive. Mike, Godspeed, my friend. With that, we move to public presentations. Item number one is the South Carolina DNR BAS survey results. If you all would come up. It requires no vote. And I want to thank you for coming.
» The Preston Christman will lead off. But at the request that I made back in the winter last year, and collaborated in by my friend Russell Brazel and Ben Connell, they went out and did what I think is shock surveys. It sounds awesome, but it's really quite humane if fish can be called humane. And we went out on the lake, and we've asked for an analysis why some of my friends are not catching any bass. And so this is about the watery lake. Go ahead. Nice to have you here, Preston. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you to the council for inviting us. Is Michael Williams here, by the way? Yep. Michael has been helping me and Russell and Ben understand this language we're about to receive. Go ahead, sir. I will try to make it as plain as I can.
» But if anyone has questions, feel free to ask. As mentioned, my name is Preston Christman. I'm a fisheries biologist with the South Carolina DNR out of the Rock Hill office. We are in region two, which encompasses York, Chester, and Fairfield counties, all the way over to Horry County, that big band across the top of the state. This morning, I'll be going over the results from our long-term monitoring of the largemouth bass population at Lake Watery. And I want to, again, thank the members of the council for inviting us here to present these results. Here's the outline of the presentation. I'll be working through really quickly.
» I'll first go over the concerns that were raised to DNR about the fishing at Lake Watery and then move into the data that I analyzed, what those results were, and then, finally, the significance of any trends that we observed. We have heard reports from anglers that have expressed concerns over declining fishing for largemouth bass at Lake Watery over the past few years. This has surprised us, as our electrofishing results from Lake Watery have always been well above other lakes in the surrounding area, both in terms of high numbers of fish as well as very good average size.
» When comparing the lake to nearby lakes in our region, lakes like Lake Wiley, Fishing Creek Lake, Lake Robinson, and Lake Monticello, Lake Watery has long had the highest quality largemouth bass population in Region 2. However, due to the rising number of concerned anglers, Kershaw County Council Chairman Julian Burns called and requested a meeting in early 2022 to address these angler concerns and see what, if any, steps could be taken to improve the quality of bass fishing at Lake Watery. To prepare for that meeting with the Kershaw County Council members, we wanted to examine our long-term monitoring data of the largemouth bass population at the lake to see if any declining trends could be observed using a wide range of key population characteristics.
» So, I went to work compiling data from SCDNR spring electrofishing samples as far back as I could find. I was able to locate electrofishing data from Lake Watery as far back as 1984. I combined all of these data sets into a single file and ran it through a statistics program to generate all of the population metrics that we wanted to examine. We went over this data with the council members at that meeting earlier this year. Additionally, Lake Watery was on our sampling schedule for this year, so I have since added the results from 2022 to this master file, and that is the data set I'll be sharing with you this morning.
» In these pictures, you can see our electrofishing boat, one of our electrofishing boats, you can see the generator near me and the driver's, near me back at the driver's seat. This generator puts electrical current into the water through those two booms that hang off the front of the boat, fish that come creating an electrical field. Fish that come into the electrical field get stunned and their muscles seize up, causing them to float to the surface like you can see in the second picture. We scoop the fish up in our dip nets, they quickly recover in our live well until we finish our sampling run. This electrofishing method is how all of the fish data were collected that we will be going over next. Here are the years of spring electrofishing data I was able to collect.
» No need to delve too deeply into this table since it is so difficult to read. I just put it here mainly to show you how many years of data I've managed to find, which ended up being 27 years of data across a 38-year period that spanned from 1984 to 2022. Starting in 2005, the standard sampling protocol changed, and since that time, we sample Lake Watery for three years in a row, then take two years off, and then return for another three years of sampling. So we will also be on Lake Watery again in spring 2023 before the two-year off period sets in for 2024 and 2025. I can only locate the amount of time that was spent electrofishing for data sets back to 1999. So this population metric only looks at these data sets from 1999 to 2022.
» This chart here shows the number of largemouth bass that we collected per the hour of electrofishing time. These numbers are used to get an idea of the number and density of fish in a water body and can be used to monitor trends over time, like we are doing here, or to compare different water bodies to each other. The red dashed line is the average catch rate for all samples from 1999 to 2022, which is right at 70 bass per hour spent electrofishing. So you can see that results from 2021 and 2022 did decline from the cluster that was in 2016 to 2018, but still remained above the lake average over this time frame. For comparison purposes, the catch rate at Fishing Creek Lake was only 42 bass per hour. At Lake Robinson, it was 50 bass per hour in 2022.
» At the world-renowned Santee Cooper Lakes, the average catch rate was only 53 bass per hour over the past six years. So Watery's catch rates were drastically higher than nearby reservoirs for 2022, even more than the Santee Cooper Lakes. So you're not saying a good fisherman will catch 78 bass an hour? No, sir. Good. All right. Got it. Not unless they are cheating like we do. So this potentially indicates higher largemouth bass abundance at Lake Watery. So the numbers seem to remain high. Next slide, please. This collection of charts is from a publication that DNR put out some years ago that compared the bass populations across the state using results from 1997 to 2005.
» Even back then, Watery, located in the center box, still produced higher catch rates than all other reservoirs in the entire state. So looking at these results and the results from the previous slide, it would appear that there has always been and still are an above average number of largemouth bass in the lake. Next chart shows the average total length of largemouth bass that were collected from 1984 to 2022. Again, you see a decline in 2021 and 2022 samples from that highest cluster that we saw in 2016 to 2018, meaning the fish were on average a little bit shorter. But again, average total length still falls within that normal range that we have seen throughout this time. The total average across all years was 12.9 inches.
» So the results from 2022 were actually still above the long-term average. This next series of charts shows how many largemouth bass were in each inch group. I broke the full data set into a group of smaller periods to see if the distribution of lengths changed over time at all. You can see that most of the distributions look pretty similar, with the peaks centered around the 12 to 15 inch length groups, except that the peak was a little higher for the 2011 to 2013 and the 2016 to 2018 periods, which were more in the 14 to 16 inch length groups. So once again, it looks like a small decline in the proportion of fish in the 14 to 16 inch length groups for 2021 and 2022.
» But other than that, the length distribution appears pretty similar to how it historically has, with well above average numbers of tournament quality fish greater than 14 inches. This next chart is one other way to look at how the lengths of largemouth bass were distributed. This chart shows the trends in what is called proportional size distribution, or PSD. This is a metric that fisheries biologists use to generate a quick number to let them know the proportions of fish at various length groups.
» So the line at the top of the chart is the percentage of largemouth bass that are at least 12 inches long, the middle line is the percentage of bass that are at least 15 inches long, and the bottom line is the percentage of bass that are at least 20 inches long, which is always a really low number like we see here, as those fish are hard to catch even when we are using electric fish. Lake Watery has always been very strong in these categories compared to other lakes, returning PSD results of all lengths that were higher than recent results for Lake Wiley and Fishing Creek Lake, but a little bit lower than Santee Cooper Lakes, which is to be expected given the high numbers of trophy bass that those two lakes produce. This next chart shows the results for relative weight.
» The easiest way to explain this metric is to compare it to the body mass index chart at your doctor's office. If you go to your doctor and they say, "Preston, you're 5'10", you should weigh 175 pounds, but instead you actually weigh more than that, that is the body mass index chart. Relative weight is the exact same thing, but for fish. Now, unlike my doctor, fish biologists and anglers want their fish to be big and fat, so a relative weight score of 100 actually means the fish is very plump compared to the nationwide average fish of that same length. So, in practice, reservoirs in South Carolina that have lake average relative weight scores of 90 or greater are generally the best places at producing quality bass fisheries. Lake Watery certainly has always fallen into that category.
» This red dashed line is the lake average across all years, which is a score of 97, very close to that target of 100. As anyone that fishes Lake Watery can attest, these high scores indicate that the numbers of shad in the lake are very high compared to other lakes, leading to fatter bass. For comparison purposes, the Santee Cooper Lakes had an average relative weight score of 91 the past six years. Lake Watery's average score was 93 over that same time, indicating fatter bass at each length. We did sacrifice some fish in 2022 to remove an ear bone that produces growth rings. We can count the rings to determine how old the bass was just like you can with a pine tree. This picture is what that ear bone looks like.
» Using the links of the fish that we aged, we were able to assign ages to using a statistics program to the fish that we did not sacrifice. This chart shows the frequency at each age that we collected in 2022. There isn't much here that is earth shattering or unexpected. We see strong reproduction due to the high numbers of one to three year old bass. So numbers of fish in the lake should continue to remain high for the foreseeable future. I had meant to go back and change this plot from millimeters to inches, but I ran out of time. So just quickly for reference, 200 millimeters is roughly eight inches, 300 is roughly 12 inches, and 400 is roughly 16 inches. Forgive us, fisheries biologists generally work on the metric scale.
» But this chart shows the growth rate of largemouth bass based on our age results from 2022, and we caught fish that ranged in ages from one to 10 years old. So of note, the statewide average length of three year old largemouth bass was 14.0 inches from a study that looked at the South Carolina reservoirs from 97 to 2005, as I mentioned earlier. At that time, Lake Watery's average length of three year old bass was above that average at 14.2 inches. Results from 2022 indicate even faster growth rates, where the average three year old largemouth bass was 15.0 inches. So compared to lakes from that 97 to 2005 study, this growth rate would have been only behind the Santee Cooper lakes and higher than all other lakes, including Lakes Murray, Wiley, Hartwell, and Greenwood.
» So bass are growing at the fastest rates we have seen for Lake Watery and among the fastest we have seen in all other South Carolina reservoirs as well. So growth still looks to be good. This chart shows how we calculated an estimate of the mortality rate. That is the number, the percentage of the fish that die every year, which is that 50.2% in the bottom corner. This means that roughly 50.2% of largemouth bass die each year. That sounds like a very high number, but this is actually very much in line with reservoirs in South Carolina. Back to that DNR study from 1997 to 2005, South Carolina reservoir mortality rates for largemouth bass ranged from 23 to 60%. And Lake Watery's mortality rate at that time was 47%. So that has remained pretty much constant.
» Okay, this one, I'm not going to delve into the weeds with this model, but at the meeting we had with Chairman Burns and others earlier this year, the question was raised on if a change in the regulations might help the bass population in the lake. I'm going to avoid going into the weeds with what I did into this computer model to try to answer that question. You can read that long description if you want, but the short version is I plugged a lot of the numbers that we have discussed here this morning into a computer model. The model applied those numbers to a theoretical population of a thousand largemouth bass and calculated what would happen 50 years from now based on these three harvest regulations that I tested.
» Essentially, based on those results from this model, I don't see there being any real benefits to the Lake Watery largemouth bass population that would be caused by changing the harvest regulation. And finally, we did some, we took fin clips from 100 random bass that we collected this spring. These are the results of those genetics tests. Lake Watery has a high proportion of Florida strain bass in the lake. The delta bass that you see there is a candidate to be listed as a new species, but it's only, it's native to the Mobile River Basin. Their genes showing up in Lake Watery is likely just background noise from the tests because they are so closely related to Florida strain bass.
» So I would pretty much ignore that and really only look at the difference between the Florida bass and the northern slash largemouth bass. So to clarify what this pie chart actually is showing, we did not catch any pure northern largemouth bass nor any pure Florida bass. Every fish we caught was a mixture between the two strains and a few had a splash of that delta bass genes thrown in. But this shows that the average bass in Lake Watery has about 42% Florida bass genes in its DNA, which is high for most reservoirs in the Piedmont region. We have recently collected additional genetic samples from fish that were caught during two bass tournaments.
» And once we get those results back, we will be able to compare the tournament caught fish to our electrofishing caught fish to see if there are any differences. These genetics results will help DNR determine what genetic makeup bass would need if we ever decided that stocking the lake with additional largemouth bass could prove beneficial. Okay, we're done with the charts. As you've seen, most of the population characteristics that we look for have dipped a little in 2021 and 2022 compared to the period from 2016 to 2018. But looking at the long term trends that 2016 to 2018 period was the highest period of the entire data set for most of these metrics.
» So even while the dip from that period is unwelcome, most metrics are still within the normal fluctuation cycles that we observed throughout this long term data set. And many are still above the average for the lake over that time while our electrofishing data does not appear to indicate any significant declines to parts of the largemouth bass population in the lake. We do plan to devote more resources towards investigating additional factors that may have caused the decline in the fishing that many anglers are reporting. We will be back on the lake in spring 2023 for the final year of this current three year sampling block. We will also likely take additional genetic samples to provide further clarity on the genetic makeup of the bass population in the lake.
» Once these results are finalized from the current sampling block and the genetic samples, we will determine if any additional actions need to be taken in the future in terms of potential regulations changes or stocking events. One of the first steps we do plan to take is a sizable increase in our habitat improvement efforts on the lake. We received funds from the sport fish restoration program to purchase a new pontoon boat that will be larger and faster than the one we currently have, allowing us to haul more habitat to different locations throughout the lake more quickly. We have also secured funding from Duke Energy to purchase around 35 fish attractor units like the ones in these pictures.
» And we are in the process of securing the permit from Duke and the Army Corps of Engineers to sink these units in various locations throughout the lake, which will provide habitat to bass and crappie and a host of other species as well. Additionally, due to the work that is being done by Duke Energy to the Lake Watery Dam, all of the pieces of busted up concrete are going to be sunk in the lake for deep water habitat. The last estimate we received from Duke was around 2200 cubic yards of concrete material will be sunk at four or five locations in the lower lake that we selected for them this upcoming year.
» We will also determine what additional habitat improvement projects we can accomplish at the lake and will likely consider transplanting the water willow plants that you see out there to establish them in areas of the lake where they are not currently found. As that has been some of the best bass habitat we can find during our electrofishing samples. Other projects that are more research focused that may be able to provide additional insight into the bass population dynamics in the lake are being discussed but are in the very preliminary stages.
» But just know we are planning to approach these angling angler concerns from multiple different directions to see if we can determine what may be causing a decline in fishing when our sampling data does not indicate a similar trend in the decline of the largemouth bass population. I'm aware that this picture is not of largemouth bass but I'm always the one taking the pictures and didn't get any pictures with bass from Lake Waterie this year so instead here are a pair of two pound shell crackers that I that we collected this spring and I wanted to feel included in the PowerPoint. I want to thank the council members for inviting myself and other DNR representatives to present these results at this meeting and for being so involved in their support for this fishery.
» Kershaw County residents should feel confident in knowing that their representatives have been very proactive in trying to support our management of the excellent resource that is Lake Waterie for their constituents. I can take any questions if you have them now or if there's not time that's my email address feel free to send me questions. Thank you. We're very near our 20 minutes allotted for this public presentation but I'm sure there might be some questions. Let me defer first to Mr. Jones. Any questions or comments. Did you say Michael Emerson Williams is out there in that audience? Yes. Well anything he's involved in is a good thing. Good presentation. It was. Other comments. Mr. Tucker. Mr. Tucker.
» Preston, can you go back to the scale where you had the years of average for the fish? I think it was like, go back Ryan. You got to go back to the beginning. I don't know if that was. All the way back. It was showing the amount of fish in the river per year. Per year. Yeah. It's like the beginning. Other way. Other way. Yeah. There. This one? Go back. Right there. Right. So my question is why, like in 1999 and 2001, 2000, why was this such a spike? I mean, did the hurricane bring some in more? If you look at the next column, that is CPUE, which is that catch per hour of electrofishing, which you see actually went down. So that shows a lot more time was spent collecting fish. So the number went up, but we actually were, they were catching fewer fish. Okay.
» So they just, I think that year I had both DNR and data from Duke Energy. So it was just a much bigger data set than what the normal year. All right. Thank you. You're welcome. Other comments. Russell. Please. Thank you. Really appreciate and enjoyed the time that we had out on the lake and growing up fishing on the lake. It's always near and dear to my heart. And there's a lot of people that live here in Kershaw County. We have never had shellcracker that big. Only no ever. That's, that's, I remember catching those and thinking, whoa, who put these in here? But, um, you know, I think we always have to listen to the fishermen. Um, the data is important. Um, but I know listening to, to Mr.
» Uh, Michael really appreciate you pushing this and getting everybody on the same page and making this happen along with Chairman Burns. Um, really appreciate what this means for Kershaw County. Um, I do have a little off the topic question while we're here. Um, so while the water's down, you guys are going to be making some improvements, uh, structures and that sort of thing. Yes, sir. I've noticed a lot of people, um, especially like in the lake watery, um, Facebook page and that sort of thing, the HOA and different, different groups, they've noticed, uh, rocks and things that aren't marked that would, that would get a foot on a motor or a prop. Right.
» Is there a way that when we're out putting those, when you guys are out putting those traps out and all those, uh, different items to attract fish, can we mark those and get buoys up? Yes, sir. So that is actually falls under the law enforcement part of our, of our agency. Um, where, you know, biologists and law enforcement officers, the game wardens are, are different groups within that. So that is their, their responsibility to mark those. But we, we were letting them know every high spot that we see. Okay. Um, and they, they have them on the schedule to get out there and get them marked. Beautiful. Perfect. I know there's some, some hard stomps and that sort of thing. Right. Oh yeah. I want, I'd like to see that take place.
» And, um, also, uh, Danny, if, uh, if I might add this, we've had some folks that are out there picking up old tires. These tires have been out there probably since the seventies, eighties. People put tires out for fish attractants. I don't know if, if they're detrimental or not to the environment. We don't encourage tires. Yeah. You never know what's going to leech out of those things over, over time.
» So could we, could we maybe see if the DNR along with, uh, Duke Energy, along with, um, Palmetto Pride and others, could we make an effort for a tire pickup on Lake Watery? And, um, Danny, can we, can we make some special places to receive those tires for, you know, a period of time for maybe a two or three week period of time that if folks wanted to, uh, pick out tires up in front of their property, if they bring them in, I feel like we need to make an effort to do something while the lake's down to, to clean those up. Uh, I saw several people also in those, uh, Facebook groups saying, gosh, you know, I picked up 12 tires, but I don't know where to take them. And, um, I tried to direct them and say, hey, no, we can take them.
» And I think maybe Fairfield County, I know that doesn't pertain to us, but Lake Watery goes up into Fairfield County. Only take four a day. What's our policy? Four a day. Four a day. So can, can we do something there to, to allow folks that are bringing tires from the lake in to, uh, to, to exceed four a day? Because I think people are willing to help and willing to do this, but not if they're limited to four a day. I mean, they, they may go in front of their dock and pick up 15, 20 tires. So I just, I don't know how we can connect the dots and get some sort of a, um, a push to, to help clean the lake up. The Catawba Riverkeeper group is a, it would be a good con, they do like trash sweeps and things like that.
» So that would be a good, uh, and I can, I know, I have a contact for them and I can get in touch with them. Okay. We can talk after the meeting. I know we've got lots of other topics to go. Thank you so much. Absolutely. Yeah. Just to close it out, uh, DNR from South, the state of South Carolina is competent, engaged, and let me just say effective. I really appreciate you showing the citizens of Kershaw County, uh, how professional you are and engaged. You care about our environment as much as we do. Uh, all this started with tournament bass fishermen who lost, complaining to me there weren't any fish in the lake. And I think I'll tell them just to change their lure. And I'll give them a name of a couple of bait stores they can go to.
» I just want it on the record that you said that and not me. Yeah, that's right. Uh, we're as interested, uh, rest of the, the watershed to include below the dam. And with Mike Williams' help, uh, we, uh, will probably be back to talk to you again. But I wish you a merry merry Christmas and a safe journey from where you came. Thanks for your, uh, flexibility to come today. Thank you very much. Well done. That was something. Well, we've done horses. We've done fish. We're gonna do race cars a little bit with Mr. Michael Cummings, but right now let's go to the budget and do the audit. That's the next item. Shaheen Hancock Godwin and, uh, with Mr. Mark Wood, sir. But Mark, can you come forward, please? And let's try to stay within 20 minutes, uh, if we can. And over to you, sir.
» I hope you've got some good news for us. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's a pleasure in council. It's a pleasure to be with you this morning. Uh, no, I will not try to take 20 minutes. I'll try to be faster than that 'cause I need to get back to my office 'cause I've got a lot of stuff to get done. Um, you've got your executive summary in front of you. That's what I'm gonna go through this morning. Um, you received an unmodified opinion, which is the highest, um, opinion we can give on a set of financial statements, so. Can we get a copy to Mr. Jones after this meeting, please? Thank you very much. Uh, we're gonna skip down to number two. Number two, number one is just kind of an outline and out report. Y'all, that's pretty self-explanatory.
» Uh, so number two, I'm gonna go through the general fund first and then we'll come back and run through the proprietary funds. General fund total assets were $41.8 million. Total liabilities were 23.6. So your fund balance was a little over 18 million. Number three, that shows you a breakdown of your analysis of your fund balance. So non-spendable, which is prepaid expenses is 5,600. Restricted was 281,000. Committed, which most of that is for, um, capital projects was nine point, almost 9.4. And your unassigned and unrestricted fund balance was 8.5 million. Your total revenues were just under $30 million. The expenditures were about 25.6. Transfers and other sources, uh, financing sources were a little over a million. So your positive change in fund balance was almost $3.3 million.
» Um, now if, if you look at that, um, you know, you look that that's a very positive fund, fund balance change. The, the most of that though is sitting in your committed. Last year for 2021, your committed, which most of that is for capital projects was about $6.6 million. So you really only added about $500,000 to your unrestricted fund balance. Um, so council has committed most of that increase for capital projects. Um, that 8.5 million is roughly about four months of reserves. And while I'm on that subject, let me kind of explain that, you know, the rule of thumb is three to six months.
» Um, four months, you know, you kind of on the low end, but why it's critical to have reserves is because your biggest source of revenue, which is property taxes only comes in a very short period of time, meaning from about January through about April. The other eight months, you've got to rely on your other sources of revenue, plus your reserves in order to make cash flow. And so once you get into September, the county is running kind of lean. And so they are running based off of reserves in order to continue to make payroll and those things like that until property taxes kick back up in January. So I just wanted to emphasize that, that, um, there, there's a reason why you need to have reserves. Um, you're not hoarding money.
» It's you've got to have that in order to continue to function as a county when times get lean as they normally do starting in about August. Okay. Proprietary fund. I've, I've combined these together. Uh, you can look at page 20 and it'll show you the breakdown between the sewer and the EMS. And also on page 21, I just did this as a combined number. Uh, but it's 33.5 million for total assets, 8.5 million for total liabilities. And your equity net position is 25 million. Of course, most of that is invested in capital assets of 20 million. 600,000 is restricted and a little over $4 million is unassigned or unrestricted. Okay. Sorry. Yeah. Thank you, Mary. The revenues were about 9.7 million total expenditures were 7.3. Your other is interest is a hundred thousand.
» You had transfers and capital contributions. So your positive change in that position was $3.7 million. Okay. And once again, that's page 20 and page 21. We'll show you the, uh, breakdown of, of both of those between EMS and sewer. Looking at the budget, the revenues, you exceeded your budget by 2.7. And where most of that is out is property taxes were $680,000 over budget. Local option sales tax was a little over a million dollars. And planning and zoning fees were a little over 500,000. Expenditures were under budget by 1.7. And that was mainly due to general government being 780,000 under and public safety being 870,000 under. And your transfers were over budget by 1.1 million. Um, just for reference, your OPEB obligation this year went down by about 800,000.
» That's your post-employment health insurance. And your pension liability decreased this year by about 6.5 million. Um, you know, I think overall, I think the county should be very pleased with this report. Uh, it shows that the county is in a very healthy position. Um, no findings. And, um, you know, I'd like to thank Mr. Templer and Sandra for all their hard work. Um, you know, we, we, we put them through the ringer for about two weeks. And, uh, we demand a lot of y'all staff, but they're, uh, excellent to work with and, uh, are very, um, knowledgeable. They're very responsive to what we need. And, uh, it helps us out tremendously trying to get our job done. With that, I'll open it up to any questions y'all might have. Explain what no findings mean.
» No findings means we did not find any internal control issues that we felt like needed to be brought to council's attention. Yeah, I just wanted that for the record. Thank you. Mr. Templer, you have any comments here? And then we'll take, uh, questions. No. All right. Uh, let's go to Mr. Jones. Do you have anything? No comments. Okay. Uh, up here, Mr. Tucker. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, first of all, let me say, uh, thank you to Ms. Brown and her staff, as, uh, Mr. Wood has already stated. Uh, we appreciate what you guys do in keeping us, um, rocking and rolling financially and in good, good, good straight bounds. Um, there's a lot of counties that don't have the talent that we have here, um, and the hardworking folks. So I want to say a duly thanks, uh, to all of you. Um, Mr.
» Wood, uh, my question to you, and thank you again for your team doing what you do as, as far as making sure that we're audited properly and that we're, um, you know, guided in the right directions. Um, appreciate your explanation on how important the reserve fund is. Um, my question to you is, are you amenable to coming back sometime the first of the year? Because we do have quite a few new council members to, uh, briefly go over this or set down, you know, smaller group with those council members that may not have their head around this just yet because they're new, um, on site. It would be my pleasure. Okay. I'll be happy to meet with council, uh, whether that's one-on-one, small group, however y'all would like for me to do that. That would not be a problem. I greatly appreciate that.
» Thank you. Thank you. Other comments? Mr. Gardner. Yeah, I just, uh, thank you, Mr. Wood, for, uh, the good, the good news. I, I think this is a testament to Danny, our department heads, our employees that, you know, we stay within our budget. Uh, we don't spend just because it's in the budget and, uh, I just think that's a testament to the caliber of people we have in this county and it's reflected in this audit. So, uh, thanks to our employees. Other comments? Well, we went from, yeah, Mr. Brassel, please. Can we talk about, um, specifically our sewer fund? It's an enterprise fund. I just want to walk through it real quick. Do you have time to? Sure. Um, I want to make sure I understand. We've got a $250,000 debit. What page you on, Russell? Uh, 21. On page 21. Go ahead.
» So we're showing a $250,000 debit to the general fund. Is that correct? About two thirds of the way down. Yeah, there was a transfer of $250,000 to the general fund. Yes. Okay. Was that to repay, um, money that had been put into there? Or what was the reasoning for that? Do we know? To be honest with you, I do not remember what that would be. I'd have to get back to you on that. Okay. Um, and that's fine. We can, we can, just as Mr. Tucker said, we can discuss that later. I'm real big on, we've got three funds. Um, two are enterprise funds and then we've got our general fund. I'm real big on those being independent and incapable of standing on their own two feet. Um, we got rid of the tax for the sewer fund so that the public pays no tax. Only the users pay, pay for the service.
» Um, I'd like to make sure moving forward to be fiscally responsible that the revenues from, from user fees and that sort of thing stay in that fund. Um, it looks. Yeah. And let me, to, to your point, Councilman Brazel, let me show you that. If you look at above that, where it says, um, operating income of one point, almost $7 million for the sewer. Right. So your, your sewer fees come in at 4 million. Your total operating expenses were 2.3. So you had a positive operating income of almost $1.7 million. So I think that shows you that your fees are covering your costs. Right. So, uh, to, to continue down that trail, I want to make sure that, that all capital projects and improvements that we make are, are funded, um, through the, the sewer fund and nothing's, uh, taken from anywhere else.
» And I think that's definitely the case. Um, how much money do we have in the sewer fund in, in reserve status? And does that, uh, affect our total reserves? The eight and a half million that we were just speaking of. Eight and a half million is just general funds. Okay. So your unrestricted reserves for sewer is 3.3. That's on page 20. Okay. So we have 3.3 million unrestricted in our sewer fund. Is that correct? Danny, do we have any projects that we need to pay for, um, other than the bond revenue that's, that we're, we're voting on today? That'd be the, um, phase 2A of Southern Loop. But is there anything else? I mean, there, there's always going to be something that some of the, part of the system is old and it, you know, we'll have 30, 60 feet of line crumble.
» So there's, there's, um, flash issues that come up, but as, as far as projects beyond the scope of, uh, Southern Loop and we'll upgrade that we'll need. What's the, what's the minimum? I'm sorry, Mr. Jones had something. Mr. Jones, do you have a comment? I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just saying also we have to look at expansion as well too. Yeah. Yeah. Right. The future. Correct. Um, so, so just as you were saying three to four months or three to six months rather is our minimum in the other fund is, is, is a, is a bottom. What's our bottom in this sewer fund? What are we comfortable having as a minimum amount of money in case of emergency? That sort of thing. We, we have a line break or whatever.
» I would say you need probably at least six months in the sewer fund for utility, because if you have a major pump station or anything like that go down, you're, you're not talking a few thousand dollars, you're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars. So I always tell people that are in the utility business, not that you can't have too high reserves cause you can, but you, you certainly need reserves because the older your system gets, you're going to constantly have lines going out. You got to replace lines. And then, you know, if you've got a pump station that goes out or two of them go out, those are some major expenditures that, um, you don't want to have to go and borrow every time that happens. You want to be able to have reserves on hand that you can make those repairs.
» So I would say at a minimum, you would need six months. So it's like $191,000 a month. If I take the total operating expenses and divide by 12. So we, we would probably need a million dollars, roughly a million one, something like that. A million two. Um, probably at least. So I think my point is we're taking money out of that fund that we're not sure where it went. Um, we've got three point, what was it? Three. Three point three. Three point three million in reserves. So that basically would give us $2 million to spend on any kind of, um, expansion. Um, do you think it'd be foolish to spend some of that money instead of taking this bond out? And that's, that's the Danny question. I wouldn't recommend it as the administrator.
» I wouldn't recommend it with the, the borrowing capability with this, this SRF loan. But a 1.6% 10 year life of the loan is $273,000 in interest. Um, Mr. Jones, please. I agree with Mr. Brousel on that. Sorry, Danny. I don't know that I've developed an opinion yet. I'm just thinking through things, but I agree with the way you're thinking, you know, and I think it's something worth looking at. And when the new council gets on board, this is something we were going to be addressing. Is there a prepayment penalty for that bond? There's no prepayment penalty. If we're third reading tonight. Correct. Um, if it passes, how long will it take to transpire to get the bond started? Would it be a month long process? Yeah, he's back there. Okay. We have that.
» Why don't we defer that to the sewer part? Cause so we're on the audit right now. Is that all right with you? Yeah, I've gone a little far down the trail. That's fine. I just wanted to do some fact finding and understand the, where we were at. Thank you so much. Yeah. Other comments. So to summarize a balanced budget, well managed, correct? Correct. Uh, right. Um, thus far, uh, you've had a darn good record with no findings and we've cut the debt on the county substantially. So county debt has been dramatically reduced. We've done away with the sewer tax. And in your judgment, this last fiscal movements that we made under the last budget result in no findings and a solid budget. Correct. Right. So I say that for the benefit of the staff, Danny and Sandra and others.
» That it's a sorry frog that won't croak in its own pond. And I let you croak all you want, Sandra. Well done. Thank you very much. So we go from bass to frogs and to audits. Thank you very much. And thank you, Mark. Merry Christmas to you. Thank you. Merry Christmas. Yeah. Thank you very much. We move now to that ends public presentations. We move to approval of minutes. It's on page, uh, five at tab B. Can we have a motion to approve? So moved. Mr. Gardner, a second. Second. Mr. Tucker, uh, discussion beginning with Mr. Tucker. Got none. Uh, Mr. Gardner. Excuse me. Uh, Mr. Jones calling in any comments. Okay. No comments. I'd say we move to a vote, uh, beginning with Mr. Jones. How do you vote? Yes. And all others signify by raising your hands. And it's approved Mary universally.
» Thank you very much for that. We move now to a series of ordinances. Third reading of an ordinance approving a financial, uh, financing of the Southern Loop. It's on item number one under ordinances. Uh, and on page 10 for you, uh, Jimmy out there at 10. Uh, there at tab C third reading of an ordinance approving the financing of the Southern Loop. Uh, sewer improvement, uh, project. Mr. Mr. Danny Templer, can you just give us a summary of this? And then we'll take a motion to put it on the floor. Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, members of council. This is before you third reading. Um, obviously we've talked through this on the last two.
» This would allow us to borrow $2.7 million to both finish up phase 2A of Southern Loop and repay ourselves for the money we spent out of pocket, if you will, for phase one. Um, so, and I have, uh, an individual here to help us. Uh, Gary is here to help us with understand, uh, any nuances or any questions you all have. Yeah. And of course we will want to talk about the interest rate. Uh, with that, can we have a motion to approve? Make a motion that we approve, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Tucker, a second? Second. Second from Mr. Gardner. It's on the floor. Uh, Mr. Uh, do we want to have any discussion before I just go ahead and go to have the council start, Danny? I'm sorry. What was that? You want to go ahead and just begin council discussions? Yes. Yes. You want to add anything further? Okay. Mr.
» Tucker, lead off, please. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, Mr. Brazzo, I, I, I'm tracking where you're looking at into this audit and a reference to what we have. And it's roughly about $2 million there. Uh, if you remember, uh, yeah, you remember last. Um, it was last meeting on meeting before last, as we were going down this, I asked that question. Bless you. Was there any, uh, penalties to pay it off early? And we were told by the bond attorney. No. Um, I feel with the administrator, um, with the process that you have to go through the timing and the rate. Um, if you don't take advantage of this now, I think you would be blowing opportunity and draining our reserves there in the sewer fund down to a level that I feel unsafe as one goes. Unsafe as one governing person in this body.
» Um, because lines and pumps break. This is an antiquated old system. Um, and it was given back to council in, in that condition. Um, and we've been working on it since I've been up here and even before I got here. So things come up unexpectedly and there's no way you'll get this bond rate or move through. You see how long it's taken us to get through the third reading, uh, with all the steps we have to take the process in time of emergency. And so that's what scares me. And that's why I'm supporting this tonight. Very good. Uh, Mr. Jones out from you, please, sir. Well, I disagree with Mr. Tucker on his comments. I think that, uh, there's money that's, uh, that's out there. I thought Mr. Broussel was very sharp in bringing up some discussion.
» I understand he did not form an opinion, but he brought up some very interesting matters within just a few minutes. That I think that council moving forward next year can look at, or I would like to have the opportunity to at least do that before they go creating another debt, because we do have an old system. There's gonna be many, many things that needs to be done for the upkeep and the expansion. And yet there's not been a whole lot of exploring other options rather than, oh, we got a good bond rate. Well, I don't have a crystal ball. I don't know that we won't have a good bond rate five months from now. Nobody can say that.
» But, you know, I just, I wish we'd slow down because I think in interest, we will be paying how much interest in this by the time we finish paying for it? What's the interest rate, uh, Mr. Jones is asking? 70,000. What's the rate? 1.6. You can't do better than that. Uh, back to you, Mr. Jones. Yes, sir. Thank you. That is, that is a good rate. No question about it. But bottom line is, it's creating more debt. And we haven't really had the opportunity to look into it. I feel like we're sound, solid, uh, business minds like Mr. Broussel that the council coming on board could look at this and probably determine a better way of doing it than just going out and taking on another bond. But that's, that's my opinion. Of course, I would be voting no against this. All right.
» Other comments? Uh, Mr. Broussel, we cut you off in the audit session. Do you want to go ahead? Maybe, maybe for the bond attorney. Do you mind, sir? Yeah. Come on up, Gary, and identify yourself for the people listening in. Gary Pope from Pope Flynn, uh, bond attorney for this transaction. Very good. Go ahead there, Danny. Uh, excuse me, Russell. Um, obviously we're, we, nothing to do with the project or what you're doing. We're going through a transition. Um, we, we've got some new members coming and they, they're the ones that are going to be responsible for making sure everything's successful moving forward. Just as this council has been responsible for the, the, the last eight to 12 years, depending on how long you've been here.
» Um, would it hurt the situation to take this up in about three weeks? And I know that means another trip for you. Um, I mean, I think you need to do what you think. That's a policy decision. And I, I, I can ask the SRF to defer for just a moment if they'd like to, but. Could we keep the same rate? They're going to, yes. They're going to keep the same rate as long as we, I will say that we are, uh, process, this process started, I think in like 2018. I was looking back at my records. And so, uh, SRF commitment that maybe came in 2020. So I mean, we're, I don't know if this is setting a record for how much patience they're giving us to close it. But, uh, I do get a little prob from time to time to say, you know, where is this? And we'll move along.
» I don't think waiting another month is going to cause any trouble if that's, uh, policy. Uh. Okay. Thank you so much. Other comments? Yes. Uh, Mr. Jones. Oh, welcome. Glad you're here. And, uh, appreciate you clarifying that up to us as well. So, uh, council, as I said, that's, there, there wouldn't be any harm in waiting. And I think that's what we need to do. Because I think you have some bright new ideas coming on board next month. And, uh, I just think, guys, we shouldn't be doing this tonight. Today. Excuse me. Just this morning. Thank you. Yeah, this morning. Thank you, Mr. Jones. Other comments? Thank you, Mr. Jones.
» I mean, I think we're going to talk about the financial system that we have in our budget and how we have come through to reduce debt, remove the sewer tax universally, and go to a rate payer system. And to tinker with one piece of it and the whole has not been addressed in a definitive budget process in which it seems to be suggested that we go after pieces of the budget in advance of a, of a proper budget process that we've already had that led us to this point. It seems to me ill-advised to delay the vote. Secondly, we are very clear about the fact that our infrastructure is, is deficient. And that needs to be addressed first and foremost right away.
» If there is a larger context to doing a budget that addresses millions of dollars, then it ought to be done as a part of a budget process and that would be my advice to those coming in the new council instead of doing it in piece part. And they may have a, that budget will be interesting and I wish you luck on that. But the debt here now is so small and the interest rate paid so low with the need so pressing, I think we should proceed. The second and, excuse me, the third issue is, has been widely suggested that we need to expand our sewer plant. That is desirable, but not crucial. And that is the reason we're taking a look at it in a deliberate way and set aside funds for that in the future. So that should be addressed in a, in a deliberate way if I was to give any advice.
» But if my vote were taken right now, I'd vote to proceed. With that, I call the question. Excuse me. Can I make one more comment? Yeah, please. Mr. Jones. Thank you. Thank you so much. Let me just say this, that, you know, we talk about, we, we did away with the sewer tax. Well, what we did was the sewer tax district is still in place. And what we did was, we shift the money. It was a pin and shell game. We shifted the money to the users of the sewer system. Some of them have seen double and almost two and a half times more on their, their monthly increases because of that. But the sewer district is still there countywide. I don't think it was taken care of. And, you know, we talk about a minuscule amount of interest. Mr.
» Pope, what would the interest be to pay this bond off in its total? Sorry, could you say that one more time? You broke up. Yeah, I'm sorry. What is the amount of interest Mr. Pope would be paying at the full length of this bond? You have that number. 268,000, I think it is. 273. 273. Yeah. And here's where, here's where I'm standing to. You know, we talk about, and it was brought up again about, this county council said, we need to expand our sewer plant. We have no capacity. We need to buy land next to it to do it. Then this county council says, no, we don't need to buy the land. No, we don't need to expand right now. You know, guys, you all know we have a problem with the sewer. And I just really think this is a hasty move.
» It's going to lock the new council in to some debt that they don't need to have that they should be making on their own decision. You know, come January, I've said it to some of the new members. Look, we can't blame anybody after January because it's going to be on us, the new council. We got to produce. Well, what we're doing here tonight or this afternoon, excuse me, is just locking us into something that I think the new council should have an opportunity to look at, decide which they want. So that's where I'm at. All right. Thank you. With that, I'm ready to call the question. Having stated that we are below capacity on the current system and the old system is in urgent need. With that, Mr. Jones, how do you vote? All those in favor, signify by raising your hand. Mr. Jones, Mr.
» Gardner, Mr. Tucker. Those opposed? And that's Mr. Brazel. That makes Mr. Brazel and Mr. Jones in opposition. The motion passes and that is, we can move now to the next item on the agenda. Item number two, the third reading of an ordinance regarding, I cannot take that call. There you go. Third reading of an ordinance of county council to amend the county's official zoning map. It's at page 23 for you, Mr. Jones, tab D. Would you tell us what it is, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Templer, excuse me. I have one quick question. Was Mr. Tomlinson planning on calling in? We haven't heard from him, so we're moving ahead. Go ahead, Mr. Templer. Mr. Chairman, members of council, you have before you a rezoning for Carolina Motorsports.
» It is just, the spirit of this is right now to purchase land and create a buffer around the racetrack, which has been something they've consistently done throughout their operation. Very good. We have Mr. Cummings here, who is the owner. Thank you, sir. With that, can we have a motion to approve? So moved. Mr. Gardner, a second? Second. Mr. Brazel, thank you, Russell. Discussion, Mr. Gardner, please. Yeah, this has been approved on the first two readings. The motorsport parks is a viable industry here, a good partner. There's no reason where this would cause any problems. I'm talking to Mike, I can't hear things. It would be a very good thing for Kershaw County, so I will support this. Very good. Second. Mr. Brazel. Mr. Brazel. Well, let me hear first from Mr. Jones. Go ahead, Jimmy.
» I can't really hear a thing anybody's saying. And I don't mean this for disrespect, but if I can really talk clearly and loudly in their mics, I'd appreciate it. I have no comments. I am going to support this. I have no comments. Oh, okay. Mr. Brazel. I think anybody that invests this kind of money in our community is certainly appreciated and deserves our support. So we want to thank Mr. Cummings for everything that he's done. His family's invested a lot of money in our community, and we appreciate what that does for Kershaw County. So I'm in full support. Very good. Other comments? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to say congratulations and thanks again for being well invested in Kershaw County, even though you're real close to the Lancaster County line.
» They think they have ownership at that track up there, especially the Sheriff's Department, but we own it because it's in Kershaw County. And I just want to check your right hand or your left hand partner that's sitting back there. You know who you have sitting by you? He's a good man. Thank you, sir. All right. With that, I think we're ready to move to a vote. Thank you, sir, for your investment in our county. It's a great addition, and it's slightly bigger horsepower than what we're used to with Mike Mathis and the Equine Center. Thank you very much. All those in favor? First, Mr. Jones, how do you vote? Yes. And all those signify by raising your hand. And, Mary, it's unanimous and passes.
» We move now to item number three, third reading of an ordinance authorizing a fee in lieu by and between Kershaw County for Orion Performance Compounds. It's on page 33. It's at tab E. Mr. Templer, can you just give us a quick rundown, and we'll move to a motion. Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman. Members of the council, you have before you third reading of a fee in lieu agreement between Kershaw County and Project Orion Performance Compounds. I have Jeff Burgess here to answer any specific questions you all may have. Very good. We have Mr. Burgess here to explain. Did any member from Orion make it to our change? They did. Very good. Can you introduce him very quickly, and we'll go to a motion. Just tell me who he is, that's all. Mr. -- say again, please. Mr. Daniel Craig, sir.
» Oh, he was great in all the bond moves. So, with that, I'm ready to move to a motion. Mr. Chairman, make a motion to approve. Mr. Tucker, a second. Second. Second. Second for Mr. Gardner. With that, we move to a discussion. Mr. Tucker. Yes, I would like to hear some more on the project from Mr. Burgess as far as some of the particulars that we did go over in first and second reading. Thank you very much. Yes, sir. Can you hear everything okay? Yes. Okay. Because I tend to talk alike. Yes, sir. This is Orion Performance Compounds. They are located in Kershaw County after a multi-state search. They are planning and already have, at this point, invested approximately $13 million in the facility. They plan to hire 54 people.
» The average salary, or excuse me, average wage is right at $25 an hour with an average salary of around $51,000 a year. The group is going to specialize in dealing with extruded plastics. They are going to pelletize it. If you are familiar with what goes on in Vista, they use polymers now and are switching over. This tends to be the, I guess, the new fiber is what it's coming out to be. Their products are used mostly for medical, automotive, as well as aerospace and sporting goods at this point in time. While this group is a standalone operation, it does have affiliations only through investors with other groups that are involved in polymers. So this is basically going to be their first go, and they chose Kershaw County for that first go. So we're glad to have them here.
» They are set up to start expanding at some point in the future, and that is their plan. They don't intend on slowing down where they're at. And can you be clear about the location? They are located in the Heritage Point Industrial Park in the former spec building. In the spec building. Yes, sir. I should have let Mr. Brazel take the second on that motion because that's where he's putting in his expansion. Very good. That park is filled up very quickly. Okay. Back to you, Mr. Tucker, and then we'll go to Mr. Jones. I'm good for now. All right. Thank you. Mr. Jones, please. Is Mr. Jones up? Hello. Can you hear me? Yep. We got you. No comments. What was that, Danny? No comments. No comments. Okay. Russell. Jeff.
» So just yesterday, I think it was announced in Charleston, three and a half billion dollars. Wow. South Carolina is the place to be. The good and the bad, right? Yes, sir. With all these great jobs come a lot of great people. And we see it on our roads. We feel it. I'm thrilled to have them here. Investment in our community is what keeps our economic wheels turning. So I will support it. But I do know things have changed with fee and low agreements. Didn't state legislature change? They did. They did. It's complicated. And I'd rather have someone speak to it much more than I can. But what can happen now is they have lowered what effectively is the ten and a half percent assessment ratio, which personal property and real property are taxed at the, on the industrial side. That is now at 6%.
» So a company can technically come in and get 6% right off the top. Yeah. But that's going through a formula that they basically break it down. The only thing it allows on that side is the company can also qualify for the five-year statutory tax abatement if they go that route. And Ken, feel free to jump in if I get this incorrect. On a philo, you have the option of offering an SSRC, which that only through a philo can you do that and bring it before council. And that's a special source revenue credit, which is a credit back to the company. But also the philo allows for a company to go into a multi-county industrial park. And for the company, it represents a rebate for their job tax credits that they can apply for. But it just opens up the doors for those two.
» Now with a philo, they cannot qualify for the statutory tax abatement for five years. So it's going to kind of be up to the companies and their attorneys and consultants to determine what action they want to take. I guess a general observation is now that the state of South Carolina is at 6%, not at 10.5%, we're not really competing with North Carolina and Georgia as much as we were because we're on a level playing field. It's much more level. They're still lower, but I think that we tend to have a little bit more aggressive on the state side as far as incentives go. Okay. So, but basically we're not giving any sort of abatement to get to 6% at this point. So it's standard taxation and they get some incentives because they're bringing jobs to the county. Yes, sir.
» To generalize it just a little bit. Is that right? Yes, sir. I look forward to having them. Thank you. Thank you. Absolutely. Other comments? All right. I will say that we are delighted you're here. Thanks for your flexibility in moving to Thursday. It's a great win for Jeff. He's added to his notches on his pistol with the Prestige Farms moving out within Vista. Well, that 54 jobs, Prestige Farms 300. Jeff, you get to be a frog in your own pond here today too. But we do appreciate the vision and the trust in us that you demonstrate, sir, by being here today. Thank you very much. We've had a great year in expanding and that means downstream there will be FILO funds that will help us probably in the fiscal year 23, 24, somewhere in there.
» But you have not only reversed, but you have expanded our FILO posture. Thank you, Jeff. With that, I'm ready to move to a vote. Sammy, other points? Yes, sir. Can we hear from the gentleman? I mean, I don't know. Yeah. He thought he got three ones gained. Yeah. And tell us it's the bass fishing that brought you here. So my name is Daniel Craig. I'm actually their attorney. So I'm who walked them through the process. Right. Well, at least you know who you are. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. And I'll convey a note to the CEO after this today. Thank you very much. Thank you. Give him our best. And with that, we move to a vote. Mr. Jones, how do you vote? Yes. Yes. All others signify. And Mary, it's unanimous. And that's a very Merry Christmas for you, Jeff. Thank you, sir.
» We move to new business, which is item number one, allocation of funds in support of the honored debt on the battlefield. There's a letter from Mr. Doug Bostic at page 108, tab E, in which he asked for the allocation of $35,000. And secondly, in which he asked for in-kind support, some of which we're already providing at the park, thanks to Danny Templer and the rec department. I turn to Mr. What I propose is we put it on the floor. We'll have Lauren Reeder go through a briefing they sent us. Lauren is not an advocate for or against, but she can take us through the briefing so you can all see what we're in for. With that, I ask for a motion to approve. Mr.
» Chairman, make a motion to approve $35,000 to the Battlefield Trust and in-kind support for the burial of the honored dead in April of 2023. And can we have a second? Second. Second, Mr. Gardner. Lauren, if you wouldn't mind gracing us with a short briefing. And I guess we can see it here on the screen, correct? Yeah. Thank you. Good morning. Good morning. As a member of the Camden Burial Steering Committee, I wanted just to briefly give Council a quick overview of what has happened this year. Bring the microphone close so Mr. Jones can hear. There you go. Can I hear me better? Okay. What's happened this year and then what's going to happen in the new year. We are working, the Burial Committee is working with the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust.
» That was founded in '93 and it's dedicated to protecting and preserving battlefields and historic military sites in our state. Since its inception they have 72 sites in South Carolina that they are protecting. Next slide. The Battleground Trust has been a part of this discovery from the very beginning and will be involved with the project until the end with a respectful burial with full honors on April 22nd and the actual locations they were found at the Camden Battlefield. Next slide. Earlier this summer battlefield excavations occurred, recovering 14 bodies, 12 Maryland or Delaware Continentals, one soldier with Bryan's North Carolina Volunteers, which is Loyalist, and one British soldier from Frazier's Highlanders.
» Just a quick overview and recap of what occurred at the Battle of Camden and what it looked like in August of 1780. As you can see the majority of militia troops broke and ran before British troops even reached their lines. Next slide. We do have a number of persons and organizations that are involved all the way from an international to local level. Nationally we've got the South Carolina Congressional Delegation, U.S. Army, Commanding Generals at Fort Jackson and Third Army, the Director of Office of Army Cemeteries in Arlington, Virginia is involved. We have international ambassadors and DAT from Germany, Great Britain and France. At the state level you've got our Governor, General Assembly, National Guard, VA, State Guard, as well as Freedom Riders and American Legion.
» We also have involved state delegation from Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Obviously our county and city of Camden officials are involved, as well as multiple historical and heritage organizations. And lastly, I wanted to leave you with what is to come this year. As you can see this is the kind of event schedule starting April 20th of 2023. We will have a morning procession from Columbia to Camden with a ceremonial event at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. There will also be a public school drive-through. On Friday, Honor Guard with Soldiers Remains will be at Historic Camden and it will be guarded 24/7 or 24 hours a day. There will also be re-enactors at Historic Camden and then an evening concert that evening as well. And then on Saturday, we start our day at 9 a.m.
» with a procession from Historic Camden to the Bethesda Presbyterian Church, which is here in downtown Camden. 11 a.m. is the funeral service. We will then concur at 2 p.m. with a battlefield ceremony and burials. And then later that evening we will actually do a dinner theater at the Westminster Hall at Bethesda Presbyterian. Is there any questions that I can answer on behalf of the burial committee? Can we get copies of these slides to Mr. Jones? Mr. Jones, any questions on the concept? No. Have we taken a vote yet? No, no. We're coming to that in a moment. All right. I'll be on the floor for discussion because I lost y'all for a few minutes. I couldn't hear a thing. All right. No, we're not on the discussion yet, but as soon as we're finished with Lauren, we will begin.
» He wanted to know was there a motion and a second, and the answer is yes. Oh, yes. I'm sorry. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Yes, we're on the floor for discussion. We'll open it up here shortly. All right. Lauren, thank you. That was perfect. Thank you. Let's get a copy out to everybody. Mr. Tucker, I think you made the first motion. Yes, sir. I have no report at this time. No, nothing to discuss. Over to you, Mr. Jones. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the county council. Oh, goodness. Well, as to the battlefield funds, no proposal in the agenda as to the source. And that's why I have a problem. You know, this council is spending money. If we go out on this today, we're spending money with no transparency. I support the concept of the request, but not the timing.
» It should be done next month. If this council will certainly yield, I will put this on the next. So I'm sure somebody will put this on the next agenda with the source of funds in advance and hopefully can support it at that time. So that's where I'm at. Mr. Chairman. Yeah, Mr. Tucker. Thank you. And I do apologize because normally I do identify my source of revenues when we spend. So, Mr. Jones, to your point, these funds have been identified by the administrator, that he has them in the budget that we've currently passed, and that this will not be any fee tax increase to any citizens. So I'll let Mr. Templer speak for himself, but that would be the source of the revenue. But it wasn't posted. Mr. Templer. Yes. The obvious source would be a tax. Okay. And Mr. Jones gets your answer.
» My point is it wasn't posted. The source wasn't posted in the agenda. All right. I got you. We don't post source in the agenda. We just have source. I've been here eight years. We've never done that before. We always have transparency at this table, but not in a manner that you suggest, and I don't believe that's necessary for us to slow down the process when you've heard from Mr. Templer, formally and officially. Well, y'all are, y'all, with all due respect and much respect for this council, but y'all are a ball of transparency. Listen, let me just say this. I stand by my position. There was no source in the agenda to the proposal, and you're talking about $35,000. You know, bottom line, guys, bottom line is that this was put on the agenda with no information. All right. Thank you, Mr.
» Jones. Other discussion? Mr. Chairman. Mr. Tucker. I just can't let that go. It was posted in your package, a letter, the amount that source requested. It was not exceeded on what they requested. Everything was done proper and in order. We never identify funds. We do discuss them when we get up there and make motions and seconds and bring it to the floor, and I've identified that. And I'm sorry it doesn't satisfy Mr. Jones, but I'm looking forward to taking the vote. All right. Any further discussion? If I may. Mr. Brassel. Mr. Brassel. So, I actually had the same question, and I want to clarify. You did say that it's going to be taken from ATAX. Is that 100%? Okay. You said that would be the obvious choice, but we don't proceed on obvious choices. Right.
» I mean, just -- It's got to be factual. The spirit of which this project is, bringing in people, tourism, if you will. And I say obvious for me. Right. It would obviously go to ATAX. Unfortunately, we don't get that pleasure sitting in the NIAS. We have to be very clear. I can support it if ATAX dollars are going to be used, and we have enough available in the ATAX fund. All right. And that's a yes. Thank you for that clarification. If somebody? Yeah, Mr. Jones, one last talk. Go ahead. Thank you. I don't disagree with what Mr. Basil said. You know, now that we understand it's going to be taken out of ATAX funds, I just don't like hearing about it at the last moment. So I will not vote for this because of the way it was -- only because of the way it was handled by county council.
» Thank you. All right. With that, we move to a vote. Mr. Jones, how do you vote? Vote. And then for the allocation of funds in support of the honored dead on the battlefield, how does the remainder vote signify by raising your hand? And it's Mr. Tucker, Mr. Brazel, Mr. Burns, and Mr. Gardner. It's four to one, and it approved. Thank you very much. Camden has already approved it, and it's good to be able to move forward together. Item number two is boards and commissions appointments. We have two, I believe. Mary, help me through this. The first one is on page 105, I believe, 105, tab G, which is a replacement for Mr. Hardis on the Clean Community Council. I believe Mr. Garcia's name has been put up. Can we have a nomination for Mr. Garcia? Make a motion for Mr. Garcia. Mr. Tucker.
» A second? Second. Second. Very good. It's on the table. Mr. Tucker, you want to lead? Well, you have this information there before you. Can we get that on the computer here? Yeah. Can you put it up? Can I have it? It should be on your, here. Page 105. 105. We've got two. Yeah. Two appointments. Yeah. I believe he lives up in yours. Mr. Tucker, go ahead. All turkey roads. Yeah. He runs the Highway 97 cleanup every time we have a six-month run-through up there. He does a great job. Now, this recognizes him by putting him on the committee. I think that's it. Yeah? All right. Back to you, Mr. Tucker. You want to defer to Mr. Brasel? Yes, sir. Go right ahead. All right. Go ahead, Russell. No, it's fine. He's a great guy. To appoint him. Yeah. He is a terror on trash. Let me tell you.
» That's a good thing. We'll take all the help we can get. Yes, sir. We do. Thank you, sir. Which slide is he taking? Because we have two appointments there. Mr. Hardis. Mr. Hardis resigned. Okay. I just want to make sure I'm marking my paper correctly. Okay. Other comments? Mr. Jones, how do you vote? I cannot hear a thing. Everything's mumbled and jumbled. I really can't hear a thing y'all saying. Who made the motion for this individual? I'll make the motion. I've already made it. Mr. Tucker. The motion was made by Mr. Tucker. Second by Mr. Gardner. Second by Mr. Gardner. What is his name again? I missed the name. Mr. Garcia, lives up on 97 and does a great job up there. Russell, Russell, you know him? I don't, but looking at his application, I feel like he'll do us a great job.
» And like I said, all helps appreciated. So I think we're in good hands here. I vote yes. I vote yes. Okay. And others signify by raising your hand. And it's unanimous. And we'll send along a note to Mr. Garcia for all he's done and probably will do. And with that, we have a second one is a reappointment of Mr. Strickland. I've got that on page. I got to catch up here. You messed up my computer there. Russell, I can't find anything. Page 107. Page 107 for you, Mr. Jones. Let me get it up for you. Yes, it was quite all right. Yeah, this is the Zoning Board of Appeals to reappoint Ben Strickland. What district? Is this without regard to district? It looks like it's Ben's district. Yeah, Ben's district. Ben's district. So it's nobody here from Ben's district yet.
» Can we have a motion to approve the reappointment of Mr. Strickland? Yes, so moved. Okay. Russell, a second? Second. Second for Mr. Tucker. Discussion, Russell? Anything at all? He and I spoke some time ago on the phone. Great guy, hard worker. Very good. Loves his community. I think, again, we're in good hands. Thank you. Mr. Jones, any comments? As I said earlier in my comments at the beginning of the meeting, you know, I think the board's commission should have waited until next month to do, but I will support this gentleman. Very good. Other comments? I propose we move to a vote. Mr. Jones, how do you vote? Over to you, Jamie, to vote. Yes or no? Yes. Okay. Very good. Others signify by raising your hand. And it's unanimous, Mary. Tell Ben, thank you very much. Maybe you can, Russell.
» Item number three is county council meeting schedule at tab H. It's at page 108. It returns us effectively to two meetings a month. I was put on the agenda by Mr. Tucker. Would you like to make a motion? Yes, sir, Mr. Chair. I make a motion to approve the 2023 schedule for council meetings. Can we have a second? Y'all don't have to meet now. I'm not going to be here. Do we have a second? Second. Mr. Gardner gives a second discussion. Mr. Tucker is incoming council. Yes, sir. I just want to say that we have to have a meeting schedule at least to get the new council off in January. And if they see fit to want to go back to one meeting after the budget, that's totally left up to them. They can amend this however they feel fit. But this is the schedule for 2023. Mr. Gardner, Mr.
» Jones, I'll let you go next. The schedule is the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers, except December, one meeting in December. Mr. Tucker, if I may. Mr. Jones. Yeah, for the year. Yeah, it's for the entire year, Jimmy. I'd like to make an amendment. Could we just wait until January? Well, let's ask Mary. Mary, can we wait until January? I would like to make an amendment. We'll get right to you, Jimmy. We're getting an interpretation here. Go ahead. I think you need to schedule the meetings certainly for January and probably the first one in February just because of scheduling ordinance readings and public hearings. Beyond that, you could do it. All right. Jimmy, did you hear that from Ken? Yes, I have an amendment. Go ahead.
» My amendment is that we schedule meetings for January and February just for the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Let's let the new council schedule the year out. Okay. Can we have a second? Second. We have a second. Jimmy, you want to lead the discussion? Yeah. I mean, it's just common sense, guys. Why should we want to sit here and go ahead and set the schedule for the whole year for the new council coming in? I agree and I understand that after all these 16 years, we have to schedule for the meetings next month. But let's just schedule January and February the second and fourth at 5:30 and then the new council can make their own schedule when they come on board in January. Other discussion? Go ahead. I completely agree. We need to take a vote on Jimmy's amendment.
» Gentlemen, I would -- He's got Brantley on the -- He's got Brantley on the -- If he's going to bring him on, that's great. But let me just say I would appreciate if we could just wait until January and let everybody who's going to be the one serving have that input. If we could do that, I'd really appreciate it. Okay. Other discussion? Okay. We've got a motion to amend to go to two meetings a month for January and February only. With that, I think we go to a vote. Mr. Jones, how do you vote? All those in favor, signify by raising your hand. I'm going to abstain. We have Mr. Brazel. It's two and two then. Agreeing. Those voting for the other way, please raise your hand, which is for the year. That's one. Mr. Tucker voted for the entire year.
» So my interpretation is the majority is one to two and two to one in favor of the first two months. The amendment passes, correct? He voted in favor. In favor of the amendment. Two to one. Yes. Two to one. So it's two to two, right? Two to one. No, we had two to one. Two to one. You've got to pay attention here. I abstain. I abstain as well because I'm not going to be here. So yes, the motion passes. Yeah, Moses passes, Mr. Jones. Now we move to amend the original amendment to move to a vote to approve the motion as amended by Mr. Jones to go to the two meetings a month in January and February. Mr. Jones, how do you vote? That's my amendment, correct? Yes, your amendment. Yes, for two meetings for two months.
» And all those in favor of two meetings a month for two months, signify by raising your hand. And it's, say again. Can I speak? Can I finish talking, please? And that's Mr. Brazel, agrees. All those opposed, signify by raising your hand. Danny. Mr. Tucker. Thank God. What does he want? Go ahead. Ms. Julian, with all due respect, I'm trying to talk and you keep talking. I hadn't finished. I wish you would just slow down a little bit and let me say what I've got to say. I don't mean that ugly. It's just getting aggravating because I'm saying things and nobody's hearing what I'm saying. The bottom line is I voted yes on the January and the February meetings at 5:30, second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
» That's what I was trying to get out and I appreciate if everybody would just slow down a little bit. Yeah, it was heard and voted and approved. Jimmy, your motion is approved and that's the schedule going forward. With that, we move to old business, which is an executive session. Mr. Thomason just called me and said his plane was delayed from South America and now he's boarding the other one and cannot make the executive session. But let's see if we can contrive to get Mr. Jones in the executive session and these four men sitting here. With that, can we have a motion? Do you have a motion? Can we have a motion to go into executive session? So moved. And return to a possible vote. Can you make that motion? So moved. We got a first. Executive session. Do we have a second? That's right.
» Do we have a second? Second. We have a second. Any discussion? Mr. Jones, any discussion? No discussion. Okay. We'll move into a vote. Mr. Jones, how do you vote? Yes. And others signify by raising your hands. Very good. We are good. I'll need legal advice and Joey if he's available. Thank you. Fine. Second for Mr. Gardner. Hold on, Mr. Chairman. We're not on. Okay, now we are. Make a motion to come out of executive session. Mr. Tucker is second. Second. Mr. Gardner. We have Mr. Jones up. Good. We'll go to a vote. Yes. Mr. Jones, we're coming out of executive session. How do you vote? Coming out of executive session, I vote yes to come out of executive session. All right. Very good. All those in favor, signify by raising your hand.
» And it's unanimous and we're out of executive session right now. The item on the agenda, and let me catch up here, we're moving around too much, is an executive session. We met. Present in the room was Joey from Planning and Zoning, Mr. Templer, and Mr. Morgan, along with Mr. Gardner, Mr. Brazel, and Mr. Tucker, and myself, and Mr. Jones calling in. No votes were taken, and all action will be taken out here. We're now back in session. Do we have a motion for this particular item? Yes, sir. Mr. Gardner. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion that Kershaw County consents to the terms of the negotiated settlement agreement in case 2022-CP-28-00699, and that county council authorizes the county administrator and the county legal team to take all necessary actions to end this litigation. Very good.
» Can we have a second? He cannot hear it. Okay. You want to read that again? I make a motion that Kershaw County consents to the terms of the negotiated settlement agreement in case 2022-CP-28-00699, and that county council authorizes the county administrator and the county legal team to take all necessary actions to end this litigation. Very good. Can we have a second? Second. Second for Mr. Tucker. Thank you. Discussion. And we have Mr. Morgan here for expert advice. Mr. Gardner, any discussion? I refer to the attorney. Okay. Do you want to discuss it very quickly, Mr. Morgan? Bring the microphone over. Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman and members of council. And I just want to make sure that Mr. Jones can hear. I can hear you. Good. Okay. Excellent.
» You have before you, as the council is aware, there was a lawsuit that was initiated back in September or August earlier this year involving a planning commission decision. There's been discussions and negotiated terms of agreement with regards to settling and ending the case. And the motion made by Mr. Gardner is for the county to consent to the terms of that negotiated settlement. No money will exchange hands, i.e. the county will not be paying any of the parties, any funds, any type of settlement agreement. And all parties are going to agree to bear their costs. In other words, pay for their own attorney's fees. All right. Mr. Gardner. I think it's a good deal for the county. Very good. Thank you. It's a terrible deal for the county. Mr. Jones. No comment. No comment from Mr. Jones.
» Other comments from the county council? Apparently there is none. Very good. I will tell you that at the Mr. Jones suggestion and unanimously approved by the county was a rewrite of the comprehensive plan and the ZLDR and that is proceeding, which would impact zoning going forward in the future. So with that, we move to a vote. Mr. Jones, how do you vote? I vote no. All the others in favor, signify by raising your hand. Mr. Tucker, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Burns. And opposed here is Mr. Brazel. Mr. Brazel and Mr. Jones are in the negative, Mary. So we had the vote and motion passes three to two. Thank you very much. That ends the business. Thank you, Mr. Morgan. And with that, we move to Mr. Jones for council comments. Yes.
» Can y'all hear me? Let's see if we can, can you turn it up a little bit? It is clear. Can you hear me, Danny? Can everybody hear me? Obviously not. Everybody can hear me? Yes, better. Okay. Can anybody not hear me? Okay, sir. Everybody can hear me. I just want to make a couple of comments right briefly here. Okay. Last meeting of the year for this county council, this administration. What I want to do is talk a little bit about the truth of past county councils that I've dealt with, including this one. One, a look at the disasters of the past I think might help. Council has consistently lacked transparency and consistently pursued expensive ventures at the taxpayer's expense by closed doors deals. Spent almost $3 million on property at Liberty Hill. We cannot use and has no public access.
» It's useless land. We cannot use it. We couldn't even probably give it away. And this was years ago. Sewer system has been consistently mismanaged by this county council. No question. You say we need land. You say we don't need land. We need expansion. We don't need expansion. There's not a consistent message. I'm getting mixed messages all the time. We cannot develop it. We have far more new money taken in the past 12 years than we have improved. And I will talk about years ago with another county council. Kershaw Health was a disaster before it was taken over by MUSC. The previous hospital was a disaster. Luckily MUSC has it now. The present hospital would not have existed without my exposing the previous hospital's lavish spending.
» This council has also issued back a $17.2 million economic development bond and had a $17.2 million economic development plan that was a fiasco and a failure. After paying interest for years, it was paid off at the taxpayers expense. Council voted to give a huge tax giveaway for a private boutique hotel. That was the most stupid thing I've ever heard in my life. Huge tax giveaway to support a failed private business. We also bought land in the floodplain that kept us from completing existing projects like West Fortery Complex, Larry Dovey's Complex, still uncompleted, incompleted. That could have been ready for rec ball, travel ball tournaments. But instead, we bought and built an expensive park that floods and is less than one mile from another public park in the river city of Camden.
» I know Riverwalk in Columbia, Lexington, they all have a river park. Well, we got two river parks. Going back, the site of ATEC and CCTC and Economic Development Office is not good. They had to build on a new road at a huge expense to use that site. Site preparation was probably $200,000 an acre. Still have excess issues and no visibility. You know, an expert on soils, Dr. Boykin, came to council and told council that the site was bad, but council ignored him and did anyway. And I was on there fighting that battle with Mr. Bader Boykin. Consistently, we have consistently built spec buildings. You can have spec buildings that have always lost money. We lost $450,000 on one when I first came on county council. We've lost money on this existing one we've got going now.
» Intentionally wasted, I feel, taxpayers' money on failed economic buildings. Opposed all of this and got slammed by other council members who were totally out of touch with the people and with reality. In January, this council will get a real and begin to, I think will get real and begin to serve the people of Kershaw County. I'm looking forward to it. And I just want to bring up a few things from the past. You know, I was even, it got so vicious, it got so vicious about the sewer at one time, that myself along with Randy Bowers and my dear long friend, Frightman Jr., we were accused of sabotaging the sewer plant. Well, I believe that the county administration was arrested and taken to jail, not Jimmy Jones. And that's how ugly it got.
» So, folks, I'll tell you what, we're going to work together come January. We're going to make some things happen. And I think that's about all I got to say. Well, Merry Christmas, Jimmy. Over to you, Mr. Tucker. Well, the first thing I'm going to say out of my mouth is I disagree with everything Mr. Jones just said. That makes me feel better. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas to all the citizens that's watching and will watch later on. And I want to thank Kershaw County employees and Mr. Danny Templer as well for getting us through another good year. We appreciate all that you do. I've got a couple things here of joy that I would like to do before we depart our last meeting for 2022. And I would like to just start off by telling Ms. Mary Siegler, I thank Mr. Jeff Maddox.
» If he ever had a good speech, it was today. And he was dead on. I thank you for all the years that you've given Kershaw County, for all the years you've given me as a council member, and for always being Janey on the spot. You take care of seven different personalities, minds, hearts, and it's a tough balance, but somehow you seem to make it work and you're good at it. And we're going to miss you dearly. But that doesn't mean I don't know where you live. I'll come tapping on your door just so I can say hello. But Godspeed to you. I wish you nothing but well. Enjoy the time. Try not to. I don't think I have to tell you this twice to think about this place. But always keep Kershaw County at your heart. Thank you, Ms. Mary. I go to the gentleman that's sitting next to me, Mr. Tom Gardner.
» You've been here for 12 years. That's over a decade, my friend. And no, as some like to say up here, we didn't 100% agree on everything. We're not supposed to. We're two different minds, two different people. But I appreciate your hard work and your input and all that you had to bring to the table. Your finance background, your business background that you offered this county through your 12 years. And I know just like I have and many of us have up here, you took a lot of lumps and bruises. But you held strong on your convictions. And that's meaningful. I mean, that's all you have at the end of the day is what you believe in and best serve the people. So I say to you, Godspeed as well. I wish you and your family nothing but success moving forward and golf time for you. As long as Ms.
» Janice don't hit you upside the head with the golf clubs for going too much. But thank you. And it's been a pleasure and honor serving next to you. Chairman Burns, eight years. Eight years. And I'm going to pause for a minute because you served on so many different boards and committees and things that you allowed yourself to get out there to be a part of Kershaw County for all the citizens. I don't care what was going on. You were like a clone guy. You popped up everywhere. And I don't know how you do it. Not to say anything about your age, but you're amazing for what you're able to do that I don't see younger folks do. I'm going to put it like that. And we appreciate it.
» So I'm going to pause for a minute because I want to recognize Santee Lynch's Regional Council of Governments Director, Mr. Dennis Cyphers. I want him to come up for just a minute and do a presentation because this is one of the boards that you served on and you served on very well with a lot of grace, patience and guidance and input. Mr. Dennis. Thank you, Councilman Tucker, for yielding this segment of your time to me, Mr. Chairman, council members. My name is Dennis Cyphers, as Councilman Tucker stated, and I currently serve as the executive director of the Santee Lynch's Council of Governments. I join you this morning to publicly acknowledge Chairman Byrne's service to our organization.
» Much in line with the mission and vision of Kershaw County, the Council of Governments aspires to create partnerships for the sole purpose of improving our organization. improving the quality of life for our citizens. Santee Lynch's COG advocates regionally and locally, not for not only Kershaw County, but for Sumter, Lee and Clarendon counties as well. As a member of the COG, Mr. Burns has been an instrumental part of numerous projects that have and will continue to help our region advance in transportation, economic development and the workforce arenas. These projects and programs, I assure you too lengthy to list, have championed our communities and made positive impacts to thousands upon thousands of residents.
» I assure everyone here that the diligence and precision guidance offered by Mr. Burns has been fully embraced. And with, and with my help along with staff will become the standard under which we operate. We are truly grateful to you, Chairman Burns, who has volunteered himself to help and guide the Santee Lynch's Council of Governments, dedicating significant time and energy to help chart our past, present and future. Thank you. Sir, we thank you for your contributions that directly benefit, not just Kershaw County, but an entire region. And with that being said, I would like to present you with this plaque commemorating our thanks for time served on the COG board. Thank you. Thank you, Chairman Burns. Ms. Cypress, thank you so very much.
» And, uh, Chairman Burns, I just want to say, um, I, uh, I wish you nothing but the best for you and your family. Thank you. That concludes my report. Thank you. Mr. Gardner. Yep. Uh, last time here. So I can talk as long as I want to. Won't take long. No, he's got to go. No, I'd like, I'd just like to thank the, uh, the fine folks of District 6 who have allowed me the privilege of serving them for 12 years. It's, uh, it's been quick 12 years. I can remember 12 years ago when I decided to run. Uh, but it has been a privilege and I think that, uh, we've done a lot of good things here. Uh, I'd like to thank all the councilmen that, uh, I've served with through those 12 years. Uh, uh, appreciate, uh, their support. I'd like to thank my family. Uh, Mary, thank you.
» You're the glue that sticks this group together, I think. Amen. And you will sorely be missed. Uh, Chairman Burns, thank you for your service. Uh, and, uh, Godspeed to the upcoming council and, uh, good luck. And, uh, it's been, it's been a pleasure for me. Thank you very much. Thank you, sir. Mr. Roswell. So I will, um, try to be quick, but I would also like to thank everyone for their service. Uh, as, as we all recognize and everyone who watches and pays any attention recognizes, we don't all get alone. And then, and that's okay. Um, I, I would also extend my thanks to, uh, to Mr. Gardner and Mr. Burns, uh, for, for what they've done. Uh, politics is rough. You, you do take a lot of lumps and, uh, people agree and people disagree on certain topics. Um, Ms.
» Mary, thank you for being here for me as I was getting broken in as, as a new member. And, um, I do mean broken in. It's a, it's a completely different world when you step into the public light, even on a small scale. So, um, thank you for being a listening ear and a, a guiding light. You're a very sweet lady and you will be sorely missed. Um, I'd also like to extend, uh, those same things. Uh, those same, uh, farewells to, to councilman Connell. He'll, he'll now be serving for us at the state house and he, he's no longer here. He's just vanished. So he's, he's, he's in Columbia working for Kershaw County. And, um, it was a pleasure working with him and you, you, you take a lot away from working with others and friendships that you develop.
» Um, I want to thank our attorney, Tommy Morgan for what he does. Um, things that, that we, we agree on. That we, we agree and disagree on. Uh, I know everybody's heart is in the right place for Kershaw County at the end of the day. Um, we've got some frustrating problems that, that, that are happening. Uh, severe overdevelopment. All of a sudden, you know, all, all of my friends and neighbors are constantly talking to me about how Kershaw County's, uh, getting, getting punched in the mouth with overdevelopment. And I'll say this, the good comes with the bad. Okay. So it's great that we have these economic development wins, but I promise you, it's going to put more roads, more cars on the road and more, more homes in town. So we are working on, um, standards, our building standards.
» Our ZLDR is being revised. I would urge, uh, Joey, if we could to, to get that firm to work a little faster. Um, we want to see, uh, a good looking Kershaw County, right? We want to see a better looking Kershaw County. We don't want to see our standards going down. We don't want to see our quality of homes being built going down. Uh, we don't want to see high density development. We're fighting hard against certain things. We want to see quality homes built in Kershaw County. We want quality jobs for the people of Kershaw County. That's what we want. And that's what we need. And that's what we are striving for. And unfortunately, the government moves at a snail's pace. And I don't think it's any one particular person's fault. I think that's just the way it is.
» But I urge you, sir, if there's anything we can do to move, uh, the firm forward that, that we've hired on this, uh, rewriting of the ZLDR, please do all you can for us. We're fighting for that. We're going to continue to fight for that. And, uh, that concludes my remarks. Thank you so much. And I'll close it out, uh, as usual as the chairman. And normally, uh, the person who speaks first is the person who leads in the prayer and the national, uh, national, uh, Pledge of Allegiance. Uh, in this case, I was first as the last eight years in Mr. Jones's absence in that role. I have some good news for you. Uh, economic development. Because of our investment in ourselves. Others are investing in us. And CSS X, uh, through the work of Jeff Burgess and, uh, Mr.
» Templer has declared us as a highly favorable mega site. And work continues on its marketability. Thank you, Jeff. Well done. Uh, I'd like to also say that I want to, I want to say to, uh, Mr. Gardner, uh, in the spirit of the revolutionary war, uh, what the cavalry officers wore. And I was a cavalry officer for 35 years as my father and my grandfather before that. Uh, they wore what was called a gorget. And, uh, French always waste a couple of syllables when they pronounce things. But the gorget is wear it on the gorge, which is known as the neck. And presents, prevents, um, sword thrust against the neck. But after the war, the revolutionary war was over, as I gave to, uh, Vic Carpenter, they, this was worn as a badge of honor for those who served. And you certainly did, Mr. Gardner.
» And on here, I have put a small list and they ran out of room of the things that you did in the eight years I served with you. Just example, you saved the hospital. You saved EMS. You saved the watershed. You got sewer straightened out. You devoted a budget appropriately to public safety and fire and EMS and 9-1-1. And all those people are well paid to do their dangerous duties. We got SROs in every school. You cut the budget debt in half. We've got the joint-use campus down at WTC in place, along with KCSD. You got the sewer tax removed. And we fixed it today, uh, with the infrastructure, uh, loan that we're gonna take, thanks to Mr. Templar and the team. We've got the Rev War thing moving ahead, which is tremendously helpful to our county.
» Economic development has got a solid base with sites that can be developed with no extra millage added to do those things. It's totally wrong. Those investments were done without any millage increase. We invested in ourselves. And now the phyllo issue is reversed. And you, Russell, will be the beneficiary in the new budget coming up. Because phyllo will be increasing, not this fiscal year, but the following. Uh, the downtrend in jobs has been reversed. That's the good news, Russell. The bad news is people want to come to this county. We've got the lowest taxes, the lowest crime, the best schools in the Midlands. And that's why people come here. So now we have to deal with growth. We've gotten some things that you detailed, Mr. Brazel, such as the CLDR and the comp plan.
» It can be revised and re-energized. We've got impact fees studies going on and things of that nature, which will allow you to do that. But the jobs are coming because Kershaw County is the most attractive county in the Midlands. We're the only one to include Richland and Lexington that is growing. That's the bad news and the good news. And for the new council, I wish you Godspeed on that. And our airport looks pretty good, too, thanks to the Boy Scouts. Right, Danny? Yeah. And, uh, so I'd like to give you this gorget. And, uh, you don't have to wear it. Thank you very much, Tom. You might need a longer room. And then I'm going to close out by very quickly saying thanks for the opportunity to serve. Serve is in the Burns family bloodline since we came here in 1782.
» We fought in every war just about in every century that the United States has ever fought. I've got two kids in the military now. And they're where I can't tell you right now, somewhere in Europe. So that is a part of my life. And we have been trained from our Christian upbringing that those who will be first must first be the servant of all. I hope I can say that I've done my best and failed where I did. I take the criticism. But I've served in the Army all over the world in 32 different countries in several different shooting environments. And my family back to the beginning of the last century has served on city and county governments and volunteered on various things because it's a part of our lives.
» But I just want to tell you and I hope my wife doesn't forget that I haven't forgotten her. The family serves as surely as does the soldier. And the family serves as surely does the elected officials. And here's Russell. Got his son out there. Good to see you again, young fellow. But there are things that the family wants to do that are being put aside because we have to be here with four of us at least in this seat. Russell, thanks for remaining here. Okay. But for the record, do you all tell Miss Ruthann that I mentioned her in these remarks because of the phone calls and the missed meetings and the missed birthdays and the missed anniversaries and the midnight trips back to Washington so I could close out my business requirements after missing a county council.
» Why do we do this? Why? Because we love this county and we share a vision, as Russell said. It's a great place to live, to work, to have fun, to worship and raise our families. And for that, there is no amount of money in the world you could pay this group to do the hard work they do. But you can't be against something and be for it. If you get up here and make the hard choices, you vote against budgets and fire and public safety and pay in schools and say you're for something, you're not. When you vote against something very dear to all of our hearts, the revolution, then you have a problem. So I would just tell you to the incoming team, you've got a budget that's solid, it's balanced. The audit said it was effective. It was in the black and it's fair. And it reduces budgets debt by 50%.
» So in closing, I want to thank Danny and the staff. It's been a great ride, a hell of a ride. Sometimes without a saddle and very often the horse went another direction. But I charge you and the employees to live up to the trust that I and all of us have in you by giving this county value for money for the budgets that we pass. That's Indian style with no sign. So I wish you a merry Christmas and the whole county a merry Christmas. Over to you, Mr. Templer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of council. In my briefing tonight, I just want to share some really good news that the Santee Lynch's COG was able to work with us at our fire service to secure a community development block grant for $499,994 for the purchase of a new fire truck up in the Bethune Fire District. That's amazing news.
» It's just a testament to what Will and his team does down there. They stay hungry. They're looking for opportunities to fund things, fund their needs down there with outside revenue sources. Prime example. Also, the election dates for Kirchhoff County District 3 special elections are out. We'll push those out early and often. It is going to -- the special election will take place March 28, 2023. Runoff, if needed, April 11, 2023. Primary, if needed, January 24, 2023. Primary runoff, if needed, February 7, 2023. So, again, we'll push this out early and often. If anyone has any questions, please let us know. Reach out to the voter registration over there with John Kaufman and his team. Also, as it relates to the audit, I can't speak highly enough about Sandra and her team, Tyler.
» To have an audit with no findings is no surprise anymore. That's amazing. They've raised the bar, so -- and they do a great job. And sometimes that's why things take a long time to happen because of our procurement process and the transparency that goes along with it. So, it is frustrating to me, but I understand, but it pays off when Mark Wood comes in here and addresses the council and says, "Healthy financial situation with no findings." Absolutely. That juice is worth a squeeze there. So, and gentlemen, it's been an honor to work with y'all. I've learned a lot from each and every one of you, as I have in the councilmen in the past and council coming up, but y'all were true servants. You called me with constituent issues and passionate about getting it handled.
» So, for that, I thank you, and it's been an honor and pleasure to work with y'all, and I wish you the absolute best. The beauty of it is we live in a small community, so we'll bump into each other. Very good. Tommy? Yes, sir. On behalf of myself and Mr. Ken DeBose, we would like to express everyone's -- our appreciation for working with Ms. Siegler, yourself, Mr. Burns, and yourself, Mr. Gardner. We have enjoyed our time trying to do what we can to provide the best legal advice that we can to the county, and understanding sometimes it's not always well received. And that's understandable, because these are hard questions that y'all have to deal with, and sometimes the answers are not necessarily what we want to hear.
» But we have enjoyed working with all of you throughout these years, and so we just wanted to express that. Apart from that, Mr. Chairman, no further legal briefing. Thank you very much. A motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn, Mr. Chairman. A second? Second. Very good. Any discussion? Seeing there is none. Mr. Jones, how do you vote? Opposed to me. Very good. All those in favor, signify. And we are adjourned. Merry Christmas.
