Apr 13, 2026 Clarendon County Council

[1. Introductory Remarks]

[00:00:03]

GOOD, GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

UM, WELCOME TO OUR APRIL CLA COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING.

UM, WE HAVE A REALLY NICE CROWD.

PROBABLY NOT THE BIGGEST CROWD WE'VE HAD, BUT WE DO HAVE A PRETTY FULL HOUSE.

UM, I'D LIKE TO TO WELCOME EVERYONE HERE AND, AND, UH, START OFF TONIGHT BY STANDING AND SAYING LORD'S PRAYER, FOLLOWED BY OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

I FOLLOW.

WE ARE HALL THY KINGDOM.

KINGDOM CALM.

THOU WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND GIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE GIVE THOSE AND TRESPASSED AGAINST US.

AND LEAD US NOT IN TEMPTATION TEMPTATIONS, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL FOR THE KINGDOM, POWER, POWER, AND GLORY FOREVER TO FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THROUGH THE RIVER OF, FOR WHICH STANDS ONE DAY NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

FIRST

[4. Approval of Agenda]

ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE RECEIVED THEIR PACKETS AND HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK OVER IT.

DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE APPROVE TONIGHT'S AGENDA.

SO MOVED.

FAVOR A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN RICHARDSON.

SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN ODE.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

ALL OPPOSED? AND MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT

[5. Approval of Minutes]

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES? SO MOVE.

I'LL SECOND IT.

MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN RICHARDSON.

SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN RODIN.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ALL OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT WE

[6. Service Awards Recognition – Leonard Lowery, HR Director]

GOOD EVENING COUNCIL, UH, ADMINISTRATOR AND THE CITIZENS OF CLARINE AND COUNTY.

THIS EVENING I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF PRESENTING FIVE SERVICE AWARDS TO, UH, SOME OF OUR MOST DEDICATED EMPLOYEES.

THE FIRST AWARD, DEPUTY JANE LAMBERT.

FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE.

SHE WORKS IN THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE.

THANK YOU.

MY NEXT EMPLOYEE, CORPORAL WILLIAM ROE WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE.

THANK YOU, SIR.

NEXT WE HAVE COORDINATOR MARY BAKER, SOLID WASTE, FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE.

I OUR NEXT EMPLOYEE, ASSISTANT COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR, ASHLEY WHITE WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE.

THANK YOU.

AND NEXT I BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR, THOMASINA HALL, HUMAN RESOURCES.

20 YEARS OF SERVICE.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S GIVE ALL OF

[00:05:01]

[7. Presentation and Acceptance of the Clarendon County Fiscal Year End, June 30, 2025]

AUDIT REPORT.

MS. LORI SALLY PARTNERS WITH MCGREGOR AND COMPANY LLP.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M HERE TO PRESENT THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30TH, 2025.

AND I KNOW ALL OF YOU RECEIVED THESE VIA EMAIL, SO HOPEFULLY YOU'VE HAD TIME TO LOOK AT 'EM.

UM, WE'RE KIND OF GONNA GO, UM, KIND OF QUICKLY THROUGH THEM, BUT IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, PLEASE STOP ME.

SO I'M GONNA START ON PAGE NUMBER FOUR.

THIS IS YOUR INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE VERY FIRST PARAGRAPH, YOU SEE THE OPINION AND THE OPINION IS AN UNMODIFIED OPINION.

THAT MEANS THAT THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE FAIRLY STATED IN ALL MATERIAL RESPECTS, WHICH IS A CLEAN OPINION, WHAT WE USED TO CALL A CLEAN OPINION, UM, BEST OPINION YOU CAN GET.

SO THAT'S GOOD, GOOD NEWS.

ALL RIGHT, SO I'M GONNA START, UM, IN THE MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS.

THIS SECTION OF THE REPORT STARTS ON PAGE NUMBER EIGHT.

AND IT'S A GOOD SUMMARY OF THE ACTIVITY FOR THE YEAR.

SO IF YOU DON'T GET TO READ ANY OF THE OTHER PARTS OF THE REPORT, YOU'LL GO THROUGH THIS REPORT.

YOU'LL KIND OF GET A GOOD GRASP OF WHAT'S HAPPENED DURING THE YEAR.

SO ON PAGE NUMBER EIGHT, I'M GONNA START WITH THE FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS.

I USED TO KIND OF GO THROUGH THE STATEMENTS AND EXPLAIN, YOU KNOW, WHAT EACH STATEMENT WAS LIKE, AND IT GOT KIND OF, UM, I THINK BORING.

SO I'M GONNA JUST TRY TO HIT THE HIGHLIGHTS.

AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, STOP ME.

SO, UM, BASICALLY Y'ALL REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE TWO SETS OF STATEMENTS, FULL ACCRUAL BASIS STATEMENTS, AND THEN YOUR FUND ACCOUNTING STATEMENTS.

SO IN THE POOL ACCRUAL STATEMENTS, I'M GONNA PINPOINT THAT THE NET POSITION IS 32 MILLION.

BUT KEEP IN MIND THAT OF THAT 32 MILLION, THAT A LARGE PIECE OF THAT IS, UM, YOU'RE CAP INVESTED IN CAPITAL ASSETS.

SO, 'CAUSE YOU'VE GOT CAPITAL ASSETS ON YOUR BOOKS, YOU'VE GOT LONG-TERM DEBT.

SO THE INVESTMENT IN CAPITAL ASSETS IS YOUR CAPITAL ASSETS MINUS THE DEBT THAT, UM, IS THERE TO PAY FOR THOSE ASSETS.

THE OTHER PART OF THAT IS YOUR RESTRICTED PART.

SO THE, THE UM, CAP INVESTMENT IN CAPITAL ASSETS IS LIKE 26 MILLION.

THE RESTRICTED PART IS 27 AND THE DIFFERENCE IS A NEGATIVE 19.

SO THEREFORE, BASICALLY IN THE, UM, NET POSITION, MOST OF THAT IS OBLIGATED.

OKAY? ALL OF IT'S OBLIGATED, BASICALLY.

BUT LET'S GO TO THE FACT THAT THE NET POSITION INCREASED BY 8.1 BILLION DURING THE YEAR.

AND THAT WAS BASICALLY DUE TO INCREASE IN TAX COLLECTIONS AND YOUR NON-REOCCURRING FUNDS THAT YOU RECEIVE FROM THE STATE FOR ROADWAY ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS.

UM, NOW GETTING TO THE GOVERNMENTAL FUND BALANCE, THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART.

'CAUSE THIS IS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS HOW YOU KEEP YOUR BOOKS.

THIS IS WHAT YOU DO YOUR BUDGET ON.

SO IN THE GOVERNMENTAL FUND BALANCE, YOU'LL SEE THAT THE ENDING FUND BALANCE IS 53.5, 53.1 MILLION, AND THAT'S AN INCREASE OF 2.3 MILLION OVER LAST YEAR.

SO THIS, AGAIN, THE INCREASES DUE TO INCREASE IN TAX COLLECTIONS AND THE INCREASE IN THE NON-REOCCURRING MONEY FROM THE STATE FOR ROADWAY WORK.

UM, BUT I WILL TELL YOU, UM, THAT THE, UM, GENERAL FUND, AND THAT'S THE FUND YOU'RE, YOU'RE MOST INTERESTED IN BECAUSE THE OTHER FUNDS ARE BASICALLY RESTRICTED FOR WHAT THEIR USE CAN BE.

GRANTS AND SUCH ARE PUT INTO DIFFERENT FUNDS OR CERTAIN MONIES ARE PUT INTO DIFFERENT FUNDS FOR CERTAIN RESTRICTED USES.

SO THE GENERAL FUND IS USED FOR THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING OF THE COUNTY.

SO THAT'S THE ONE YOU SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN.

SO THE GENERAL FUND FUND BALANCE IS 17.4 MILLION AND THAT'S AN INCREASE OF 1.9

[00:10:01]

SO I KINDA LIKE TO TELL YOU WHAT THAT FUND BALANCE PERCENTAGES OF YOUR TOTAL EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR.

SO IT'S 39.9%.

OKAY? SO THAT MEANS THAT THE FUND BALANCE COULD FUND 40% OF YOUR EXPENDITURES IN A GIVEN YEAR.

YOU GOT THAT MUCH AND THAT THAT'S A GOOD PERCENTAGE.

'CAUSE WHAT WE'D LIKE TO SEE AND HOPE TO SEE IS AROUND 15%.

SO 39.9 IS A GOOD, 40% IS A GOOD NUMBER.

OKAY? SO I'M GONNA SKIP OVER THE REST OF THIS AND LET YOU READ THAT ON YOUR OWN ON, AND I'M GONNA GO TO EXPLAIN TO YOU THAT STARTING ON PAGE 28TH, THESE ARE YOUR NOTES TO YOUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

AND THIS IS A GOOD, UM, DETAIL OF INFORMATION THAT'S IN THE, UM, BALANCE SHEET INCOME STATEMENT.

THERE'S JUST A LOT OF INFORMATION IN HERE THAT TIES INTO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SOMETHING, IF YOU WANT MORE DETAIL, I'M NOT GONNA GO INTO THAT.

IT WOULD TAKE ME ALL NIGHT TO DO THAT.

SO I'M GONNA JUMP OVER BECAUSE, UM, ONCE YOU GET THROUGH THE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, YOU HAVE A LOT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AND A LOT OF DETAIL INFORMATION ON EACH FUND.

WE'RE OF COURSE NOT GONNA GO INTO THAT, BUT THAT'S THERE FOR YOUR INTEREST.

OKAY, SO I WANNA UM, GO TO PAGE NUMBER 1 0 5.

THIS IS YOUR COMPUTATION OF LEGAL DEBT MARGIN.

SO THIS IS A CALCULATION BASED ON YOUR ASSESS PROPERTY VALUES AND WHAT IT SHOWS IS, UM, 8% OF THAT IS WHAT YOUR LIMIT IS ON DEBT FOR, ON GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT.

AND SO OF THAT, Y'ALL HAVE RIGHT NOW HAVE 6.6 MILLION.

SO THAT MEANS YOU HAVE 3.9, ALMOST FOUR POINT MILLION THAT YOU COULD USE TO FOR ANY GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT.

OKAY? THAT'S HOW MUCH YOU COULD USE.

OKAY? SO THE NEXT THING I WANNA BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO IS ON PAGE 1 0 9.

THESE ARE THE STATEMENTS THAT WOULD EXPLAIN ANY MATERIAL WEAKNESSES YOU MAY HAVE IN INTERNAL CONTROLS, WHICH I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY MATERIAL WEAKNESSES OR SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES.

THE NEXT STATEMENT ON PAGE ONE 11 WOULD EXPLAIN ANY COMPLIANCE PROBLEMS YOU HAVE.

OKAY? SO THERE ARE NO COMPLIANCE ISSUES THAT I'M RECORDING TONIGHT, SO THAT'S GOOD NEWS.

I WANTED TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO ONE 14.

THIS IS YOUR SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL AWARDS.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE BOTTOM, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED TO KNOW HOW MUCH FEDERAL MONEY WAS RECEIVED AND USED IN THE YEAR END OF JUNE 30, 25, YOU'LL SEE AT THE VERY BOTTOM TO ME AT $274,142 OF FEDERAL MONEY THAT WAS EXPENDED.

OKAY? UM, THAT'S ABOUT ALL I WANNA GO OVER IN THAT REPORT.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE IN THERE THAT ANYBODY NEEDS TO ASK A QUESTION ABOUT? 'CAUSE I'M GONNA MOVE TO THE LITTLE LEAFLET OR TWO PAGE, THREE PAGE THING YOU HAVE CALLED OTHER MATTERS.

THIS IS A REPORT WE DO, WE WE REPORT ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOU OR ANY INSIGNIFICANT FINDINGS THAT MIGHT BE, UM, NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

SO THE FIRST ONE, UM, HAS TO DO WITH THE MAGISTRATES AND COURT ADMINISTRATION WOULD, IT REALLY REQUIRES THAT THE MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE ACCOUNT FOR ALL THE MONEY THEY HAVE IN THEIR ACCOUNTS AT A GIVEN TIME.

SO AT JUNE 30, UM, ANYTHING OVER A HUNDRED DOLLARS REALLY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED OR REPORTED TO COURT ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE OF COURSE THE STATE WANTS THEIR SHARE OF, OF ALL THAT MONEY.

SO AT JUNE 30TH, THERE WAS AN OVERAGE IN THE ACCOUNTS OF $4,366.

SO BECAUSE IT'S OVER A HUNDRED, I HAVE TO REPORT IT.

THAT'S, BUT, BUT I'VE TALKED TO BOTH THE MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE

[00:15:01]

SO THAT, UM, NOTHING IT HAS TO BE REPORTED NEXT YEAR.

THAT'S OVER A HUNDRED DOLLARS.

OKAY? PROCUREMENT, AND WE ALWAYS SEEM TO HAVE ONE LITTLE SLIGHT THING IN THIS, THIS SECTION OF THE OTHER MATTERS LETTER EACH YEAR, BUT THERE WAS JUST ONE VEHICLE THAT WAS PURCHASED, UM, THROUGH FIRE RESCUE THAT DID NOT GO THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT.

NOW WE INVESTIGATED EVERYTHING WAS FINE WITH IT, UM, WENT THROUGH THE PROPER CHANNELS IN FIRE AND RESCUE, BUT IT DIDN'T GO THROUGH PROCUREMENT.

OKAY? SO THAT'S OUR COMMENT THERE.

IF YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT, YOU NEED TO HAVE EVERYTHING GOING THROUGH IT.

OKAY? SO THAT'S ALL WE HAVE THERE.

THE OTHER LETTER IS WHAT WE CALL COMMUNICATION WITH THOSE CHARGED WITH GOVERNANCE, WHICH IS YOU COUNSEL.

AND IF WE HAD ANY SIGNIFICANT AUDIT ADJUSTMENTS, WE WOULD INCLUDE THOSE HERE, WHICH I'M HAPPY TO SAY WE DID NOT HAVE ANY, IF WE HAD ANY, UM, DISAGREEMENTS WITH MANAGEMENT THAT WOULD BE INCLUDED HERE.

DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT.

SO THIS IS PRETTY MUCH BOIL THE PLATE, NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY TO REPORT IN THIS LETTER.

OKAY? SO THAT'S CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.

I HOPE Y'ALL GOT A LITTLE BIT OUT OF THAT.

AND, UM, IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR IF YOU COME UP WITH A QUESTION, UM, AFTER YOU KNOW, THIS MEETING TONIGHT, YOU CAN GET WITH WAL, HE'LL ASK ME AND WE'LL GET BACK WITH YOU ON ANSWER.

OKAY? OKAY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU MS. LORD ALL.

DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE ACCEPT THE, UH, AUDIT REPORT FROM THIS LAWYER.

I MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT.

SECOND, WE GOT A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN COKER.

SECOND COUNCILMAN RICHARDSON.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

HALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED.

[8. Public Comments (Total of five (5) available speaking spots, three (3) minutes per speaker) ]

WE HAVE A TOTAL OF FIVE AVAILABLE SPEAKING SPOTS AND WE ASK THAT YOU KEEP IT AT THREE MINUTES PER SPEAKER.

UM, FIRST UP IS MR. JULIUS AGGIE.

GOOD AFTERNOON CHAIRMAN AND COUNCIL, UH, ONCE AGAIN, I'M BEFORE YOU ABOUT BAD ROADS.

ADD YOUR ROAD IN LAKE LEAF CIRCLE.

RIGHT NOW IT'S DRY, BUT WE KNOW IF RAIN IS COMING AND THESE ROADS CAN GET UNPASSABLE.

ONE THING ABOUT THIS, WE ONLY HAVE ONE BASIC WAY IN AND ONE BASIC WAY, WAY SOMETIME BACK, UH, THE CARBONS BLOCKED OFF THE FAR END OF EDGE THE ROAD AND IT HADN'T BEEN WORKED IN YEARS.

SO I CAME LAST YEAR TO TRY TO GET YOU TO PAY YOU ONE MILE IN.

AND RIGHT NOW ONE OF THE DITCHES, THE WATER IS BACKED UP AND IT LOOKED LIKE FUNGUS IS ON THAT SIDE AT THE PRESENT.

AND THAT'S A HEALTH HAZARD.

THE NEXT THING IS SAFETY.

IF THE AMBULANCE TRIED TO GET UP IN THERE NOW, FIRE DEPARTMENT OR ANYBODY TO COME UP IN THERE.

ONE SET RAIN BECAUSE THE ROAD FLOODS OUT IN SECTIONS AND IT GETS MUDDY TRENCHES WHEN IT RAINS AND IT STAYS THERE.

NOW THEY'LL COME WORK THE ROAD, BUT THE MINUTE IT RAINS, IT'S IN THE SAME SHAPE AND YOU GOTTA DRIVE THROUGH MUD POLES AND WATER.

IT'S QUITE A FEW SECTIONS ALONE AS THE ROAD DURING THAT MILE THAT I'M ASKING FOR TO BE PAID.

AND IF WE COULD GET THAT DONE ONE MILE IN, WE WOULD DEFINITELY APPRECIATE IT.

ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS UP IN THERE AND OTHER FOLKS THAT LIVE UP IN THERE.

AND MATTER OF FACT, WE GOT A ANOTHER HOUSE GOING UP IN THAT AREA WITHIN THE, BY THE FALL OF THE YEAR.

SO PLEASE

[00:20:02]

THANK YOU MR. JULIUS.

THANK YOU.

NEXT UP WE HAVE MR. EDGAR O'NEILL HODGE JR.

RETIRED DUE TO, UH, CANCER IN 2020, UM, AT NUCLEAR SITE.

ALL NUCLEAR SITES BASICALLY FROM ONE IN THE COUNTRY TO OTHER.

AND, UM, INTEGRITY MEANS A LOT OF THIS COUNTY AND, UM, JURISDICTION OF THE MUSEUM AND OR ARCHIVES.

MY GRANDFATHER, WORLD WAR, KOREAN WAR AND HIS SADDLE SIT IN THE BARN OF THE CALVARY WHEN HE WENT TO CUBA.

AND, UM, HE HELPED BUILD THAT DAM RIGHT THERE.

NOW, WHEN YOU SAY INTEGRITY AND HONOR IN HONORING THESE PEOPLE UP FRONT A WHILE AGO, THAT WAS VERY ADMIRABLE, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF IN THE ARCHIVES OF THE MUSEUM THAT DEFINITELY NEEDS MORE THOUGHT GOING INTO IT ON HOW AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO PROCESS IT AND WORKING IN THE NUCLEAR FIELD AS AN AUDITOR.

UM, UNDERSTANDING WHAT THIS LADY SAID HERE ABOUT THE BUDGET AND UM, WHAT I NEED TO GET MORE CLARIFICATION ON IS WHENEVER IT'S, WE, THE PEOPLE THAT DID STUFF LIKE MY GRANDFATHER AND I'VE GOT A UNCLE'S UNIFORM THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT BACK FROM THE WAR THAT'S IN THIS MUSEUM.

NOW THERE'S CERTAIN THINGS THAT ARE ARCHIVES AND THERE'S CERTAIN THINGS WHICH HAVE LEGAL, UM, RAMIFICATIONS AND ISSUES TO THEM.

AND A AUDITOR NEEDS TO GO THROUGH THAT.

UH, TWO TO THREE WEEKS IS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO GO THROUGH THIS MUCH INFORMATION TO PROCESS, TO GET IN SOME BIG RUSH, TO TRY TO, UM, NOT HAVE IT IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT WHEN IT COMES TO BEING OF HISTORICAL VALUE.

UM, WE'RE VERY QUICK TO, UM, LOOK AT OUR GOVERNMENT NOW AND SAY, WELL, I DON'T REMEMBER VOTING ON ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

AND MY BIG QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE JURISDICTION ON THE DICTATION AND WHEN AND, AND THERE IS THE WORD DICTATION AND WHAT IS THE JURISDICTION AND, AND AND, UM, AND WHAT ARE YOU OPERATED UNDER TO DICTATE TO THE ARCHIVES? UM, THE INFORMATION THAT COULD BE DISCARDED.

LIKE A LOT OF THE INFORMATION THAT'S BEING DISCARDED NOW FROM THIS OFFICE AND OTHER OFFICES WITHIN OUR GOVERNMENT OF CLARENDON COUNTY THAT IS GOING TO A BUS MAINTENANCE SHOP, WHICH NEEDS TO BE KEPT IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT.

WHEN YOU SAY DEEDS AND TITLES FROM THINGS GOING BACK TO THE THIRTIES AND FORTIES, WHENEVER THIS COUNTRY WAS BUILT BY PEOPLE IN COHORTS AND NOT IN SUIT AND TIES AND NOT PUNCHING A COMPUTER AND NOT MAKING UP A COMPUTER AND, UM, UH, MAKING A COMMITTEE AND SAYING THAT WE THE PEOPLE HAVE NO VOICE.

UM, AND I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE MORE VOICE ABOUT THE ARCHIVES.

I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE MORE THOUGHT PUT INTO IT AND, AND PUMP THE BRAKES ON THROWING EVERYBODY OUT AND GETTING THE, GETTING IT REWORKED OR, OR, OR JUST NOT TO GIVE THE HONOR OF THE LEGALITIES OF WHAT IS LEGAL AND WHAT IS AN ARCHIVE IN THIS BUILDING AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE KEPT IN, IN ITS PERSPECTIVE.

AND I SEE MY TIME IS UP.

SO YES SIR, THANK YOU MR. HALL.

BUT, UM, DEFINITELY, UH, THE COMMITTEE AND, AND, UM,

[00:25:01]

WHAT, HOW DID THEY GET THE JURISDICTION? WHERE DID THEY GET THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT? YOU KNOW? AND, UH, COMING FROM A NUCLEAR REALM, WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF ALL OF Y'ALL SAFETY.

THAT'S FIRST AND FOREMOST.

THANK YOU MR. HARVEY.

NEXT WE HAVE MR. JOE OLIVER.

I WAS JUST SITTING THERE AND I WAS JUST THINKING, WE, WE SIT HERE, WE PRAY, WE DO THE PLEASANTLY THE FLAG.

SOMETIME WE DON'T REALIZE YOU FELLS GOD PUT Y'ALL THERE IN A POSITION AND ALL THAT.

HE MIGHT USE Y'ALL TO BE A BLESSING TO PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED.

JUST NOT TO SIT THERE.

YOUR PLEDGE OF LEADING INTO THE FLAG.

YOU TALK ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE.

NOW I COMES HERE ASKING Y'ALL FOR HELP.

I EVERY TIME I COME IN, I'M GONNA COME EVERY TIME GOD ALLOWS ME TO COME.

'CAUSE SOONER LATER YOU MIGHT GET TIRED OF ME.

BUT THE THING ABOUT IS I'VE BEEN ATTACKED BY THE LITTLE FOUR WHEELERS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS NUMBER ONE, THEY'RE DEDICATED.

THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN, THEY'RE DOING A TREMENDOUS JOB.

BUT THE PROBLEM OF IT IS, I HAVE BEEN ATTACKED YESTERDAY.

I'VE BEEN TAUNTED.

I'M A GROWN MAN SITTING IN A HOUSE, BEING TAUNTED BY FELLAS ON FOUR WHEELERS IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, MAKING THE NOISE.

THE LAST TIME I'VE BEEN HERE, I TOLD YOU ALL WHAT I'VE ALMOST DONE.

EVERY MAN OR WOMAN IN HERE IS NOT GONNA SIT AROUND AND LET SOMEBODY TAUNT THEM JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN.

AND YOU GONNA SIT THERE AND YOU JUST GONNA LET THEM DO IT.

YOU CAN EITHER SPEAK UP OR YOU GONNA HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

I'M AT THE POINT NOW WHERE I FEEL LIKE I'M NOT GETTING ANY HELP BY COMING HERE.

IT, IT'S LIKE I'M AT THE POINT NOW WHERE I FEEL LIKE I'M GONNA HAVE TO TAKE A, I'M GONNA HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ON MY OWN.

I DON'T WANNA HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.

BUT I DIDN'T, LIKE I SAID, I, I, I CAN'T, I'M NOT, I, NO, I'M NOT GONNA SIT IN THE HOUSE AND LET MY FAMILY NOT BEING ABLE TO ENJOY THIS SUNDAY BE OR SATURDAY BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE OUT HERE DOING WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

Y'ALL NEED TO DO SOMETHING OTHER THAN YOUR NOISE ORDINANCE.

IT STINKS.

IT AIN'T NO GOOD BECAUSE THE REASON WHY I SAID THAT IS BECAUSE YOU CAN MAKE NOISE LIKE YOU TELL ME ABOUT MY NEIGHBOR.

THEY CAN DO WHAT THEY WANNA DO IN THEY IN THEIR YARD BECAUSE THEY HAVE, THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO DO THAT IN MY YARD.

I SHOULD HAVE THE SAME RIGHT? NOT TO MAKE NOISE, BUT HAVE THE RIGHT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE NOISE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR DECIMAL POINT IN THAT DECIMAL SYSTEM IS WHEN IT COMES TO THE NOISE.

BUT THE THING I'M ALREADY, I FEEL LIKE NOISE IS ANYTHING THAT IS LOUD ENOUGH OR, OR CAUSE ANOTHER PERSON NOT TO BE PLEASED WITH THE NOISE.

YOU CAN MAKE NOISE, BUT IF I'M NOT PLEASED WITH IT, THEN YOU MAKING NOISE.

SO MY THING, THE THING ABOUT IT, I HAVE A RIGHT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

SO I'M JUST LETTING YOU KNOW NOW IF Y'ALL AIN'T, IF YOU ALL ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME, I AIN'T COMING BACK.

I PRAY I DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK.

BUT I'M GONNA DO SOMETHING BECAUSE LIKE I TELL YOU, I'M A GROWN MAN.

I'M NOT GONNA SIT AROUND AND PUT UP WITH THIS MESS NO MORE.

I'M GONNA STOP SOMEBODY.

EVEN IF I END UP GOING TO JAIL, I'M GONNA STOP SOMEBODY BECAUSE I'M TIRED OF MR. SMITH.

NEXT, NEXT WE HAVE, UH, MR. GEORGE FRY.

THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.

I'LL SEE THE SHERIFF HERE.

AND I HEARD WHAT BROTHER ALLMAN JUST SAY, SOMETIMES YOU GET SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED, LIKE FAN LOU HAY WILL SAY, YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING.

AND FIRST THING BEFORE I SAY ANYTHING TO ON TOMORROW, WE WILL BE BEARING MR. PEARL FRYER, THE TOPIARY ARTIST FROM BISHOPVILLE.

AND I HAVE TO RIDE SHOTGUN BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT US BUFFALO SOLDIERS DO FOR OTHERS.

NOW THE SECOND THING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS I'M A HISTORIAN, BUT I'M AN ACCOUNTED BY EDUCATION.

I LISTEN AT YOUR AUDITOR AND I WAS THE LAST CHAIRMAN OF THE KLAN THREE SCHOOL BOARD.

I HAD TO SIGN THE DOCUMENT, THEY ABOLISHED THAT DISTRICT.

NOW I TOLD MY FINANCE PERSON, I SAID, I WANNA MAKE SURE EVERY PENNY IS COUNTERPART.

'CAUSE I HAD TO PUT

[00:30:01]

SO NOW YOU'RE SAYING THAT I HAVE TWO GRANDSONS THAT ARE IN THE MILITARY CURRENTLY I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE BECAUSE WE HAD A CONFLICT THAT IS SELF INFLICTED.

AND I, EVERY TIME I THINK ABOUT THE PERSON THAT SITS IN THE WHITE HOUSE, IT MAKES ME MAD.

I DON'T CALL HIS NAME BECAUSE I GET ANGRY.

NOW I SERVED, I'M A VIETNAM VETERAN.

THAT SHEET THAT IS EMPTY UP THERE BELONGS TO MY COUSIN, THE REVEREND WJ FREON, WHO HAD TO BEEN TOLD IN THE 11TH GRADE AT MANON HIGH SCHOOL THAT HIS BROTHER KENNETH HAD BEEN KILLED IN VIETNAM.

NOW THAT'S MY COUSIN, BUT THAT WAS W J'S BROTHER.

NOW AGAIN, I'M OFFERING MY SERVICE FOR SERVICE 'CAUSE I'M RUNNING AGAINST, UH, WELL I'M RUNNING FOR DISTRICT THREE.

I AIN'T RUNNING AGAINST NOBODY BUT MR. COCO, YOU CURRENTLY HOLD THAT SEAT.

I FIGURED I CAN SERVE THE PEOPLE, UM, JUST AS GOOD OR BETTER THAN YOU.

AND THE DEAL IS, I'M LETTING YOU KNOW THAT I AIN'T GONNA BE NO SLUR CAMPAIGN.

I LET MY RECORD SPEAK FOR ITSELF.

I DON'T HAVE TO CALL SOMEBODY SOMETHING BAD BECAUSE I'M GEORGE E FREON II I WAS BORN ON DECEMBER THE NINTH, 1952 IN ALKA CLAN COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA.

SO I I, THERE'S NO HIDDEN AGENDA HERE, BUT I THINK I CAN DO BETTER.

I CAN BE OF SERVICE AND I'M ALSO AN ACCOUNTANT BY EDUCATION.

NOW YOUR ADMINISTRATOR, WHETHER YOU DO THIS JOB OR NOT, HE SITTING THERE, HE GONNA DO HIS JOB BECAUSE I'M GONNA HAVE MY EYES, MY NOW JUST THAT SIMPLE.

NOW, MY GRANDFATHER, WHOSE NAME WAS HENRY FRESON, HE VOTED ON APRIL THE 16TH, 18 6 8 HENRY CLAN COUNTY ELECTION.

THE FIRST TIME BLACKS COULD VOTE IN THIS COUNTRY, HE WENT TO THE PRECINCT AND HE WAS LITERAL, HE COULD SIGN HIS NAME.

AND NOT ONLY DID HE VOTE IN THE STATE ELECTION, HE VOTED IN THE GUBER NOTATOR ELECTION.

NOW WE GOT A GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION COMING UP AND THE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN SITTING THERE, HE'S BRAGGING ABOUT HE'S THE LONGEST TERM SERVING GOVERNOR.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT IT.

THANK Y'ALL.

THANK YOU, MR. OH, OKAY.

THANK YOU.

NOTICE GOT MY SON NAME ON IT.

I THIS MAN.

NEXT UP WE HAVE MR. LEE REEVES JR.

I HOPE ALL OF YOU GOT MY PREPARED REMARKS IN THE INTEREST OF TIME TO YOU, THE HONORABLE CHAIRMAN JOHNSON, THE STEAM BOARD AND STAFF, THE FINE CITIZENS OF CLAREDON COUNTY IN THIS AUDIENCE, THE PRESS CORPS, AND TO THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE IN ATTENDANCE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.

GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS LEE REEVES AND I'M THE CLARINET COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESIDENT.

AND I WANNA THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS MATTER THAT IS SO PRECIOUS TO THOSE OF US THAT ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT CLARINET COUNTY HISTORY AND ITS ARCHIVES THAT SUPPORTS IT.

WHILE HISTORY, GOOD OR BAD OCCUPIES A PLACE IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THOSE IT AFFECTS AND BY ITS RESPECT DESERVES A PLACE TO BE PROTECTED, RESEARCHED, AND AVAILABLE TO THOSE IN NEED OF CLOSURE, SERENITY, AND OR DIRECTION.

IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT EVENTS SINCE MID-FEBRUARY AND ESPECIALLY THIS LATEST PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE A NON COUNTY BUILDING TO HOUSE THESE FRAGILE RECORDS FOR THREE YEARS, WE ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF BECAUSE IT THREATENS THEIR HUMBLE AND PROTECTED EXISTENCE.

AND IN ESSENCE, KEEPS THESE VITAL RECORDS UNATTAINABLE FOR THOSE LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN NEED OF THEM.

FOR A HOST OF REASONS, THESE ENGAGED CITIZENS ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE EASE OF ACCESS THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED WHILE HOUSED IN THIS CURRENT LOCATION AND BY A VERY CONFIDENT STAFF THERE TO ASSIST THEM.

BEING SHARON HALEY, DIRECTOR MS. MCFADDEN AND MS. BETHUNE GENERAL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, WE REALIZE THE TOUGH JOB YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU AND IN THE PURSUIT TO CUT COST AND BALANCE THE BUDGET.

WE UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR CONSERVATIVE CONSTRAINTS WHEN IT COMES TO FISCAL PRUDENCY IN OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

I TRULY WOULD NOT WANT YOUR JOB AND THE SUCH DECISIONS THAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU.

TONIGHT YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY HEARD HEATED RHETORIC BECAUSE OF THIS PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED DECISION TO BASICALLY DISMANTLE SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 1910, OUR RESIDENTS OF THIS FINE COUNTY DISAGREES WITH YOUR APPROACH AND HAVE ISSUES WITH THE WAY IT'S BEING HANDLED.

THIS PUBLICLY SHOWS THE PASSION AND FERVOR BOILING UP FROM YOURS, OURS CONSTITUENCY IN THIS MATTER.

AND TONIGHT I HAVE 418 PETITION SIGNERS.

SO WITH THESE THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS IN MIND, I LEE REEVES JR.

PRESIDENT OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND THE SPOKESPERSON FOR

[00:35:01]

ALLOW ME TO TURN THE NOISE DOWN IN THE SILENCE UP AND ASK THIS ONE QUESTION.

I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU GRANT US A YEAR'S EXTENSION AND A MORATORIUM ON ALL ISSUES REGARDING THIS MATTER TO ALLOW US TIME TO DIGEST THE ITEMS FOUND IN THE 750 PAGE ARCHITECTURAL STUDY, A YEAR TO EXPLORE GRANTS FOR FUNDING, FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE RESPECT FOR THOSE THAT WENT BEFORE THAT EXHIBITED SUCH BRAVERY, RESILIENCE, AND RESOLVE.

AND I WANT TO, IN CLOSING, I WANT TO ADD ONE LAST THING.

WHAT DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER YOU BY? THAT YOU, THAT YOU DECREASED THEIR TAXES BY LESS THAN 1%, OR THAT YOU CLOSED THE COUNTY CLARENDON COUNTY ARCHIVES? I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

SINCERELY, LEE REEVES JR.

WE THE PEOPLE.

THANK YOU.

YES.

AMEN.

NEXT WE HAVE

[9. Proclamation ]

MARK.

UM, DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE APPROVE THAT.

I'LL SECOND.

I GOT A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN ROD, A SECOND ONE FROM COUNCILMAN COKER.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

ALL OPPOSED.

MOTION PASSES.

NEXT WE HAVE A

[10. Resolution 2026-02 ]

AND I THINK THAT RESOLUTION IS TO CLOSE THE OLD FIRE STATION.

10.

YES, MR. CHAIRMAN, THE STATION ITSELF IS ACTUALLY ALREADY CLOSED.

WE BUILT A NEW STATION, UM, BACK A COUPLE OF DECADES AGO.

MADE HIM LONGER.

UM, THE JONES FAMILY WAS VERY BENEVOLENT TO THE COUNTY.

WE NEEDED A A FACILITY IN THAT AREA TO HOUSE FIRE PROTECTION AND THEY DONATED THAT FACILITY TO BE USED TO PROVIDE FIRE PROTECTION.

BUT IN THE DEED, ONCE WE DO, NO, NO LONGER NEED THAT OR USE IT AS FIRE PROTECTION, IT IS TO REVERT BACK TO THAT FAMILY.

THIS WOULD BE THE NECESSARY STEP TO DEEM IT DECOMMISSION AS USE OF A FIRE STATION.

'CAUSE WE GOT THE OTHER ONE RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD, UM, THE NEW ONE.

AND THEN THAT WOULD REVERT BACK TO BACK THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS AS INTENDED.

OKAY.

DO I HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVED.

GOT A MOTION COUNCIL RICHARD SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN COKER.

ALL IN FAVOR? A AYE.

ALL OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT WE HAVE

[11. Resolution 2026-03]

REGARDING THE COUNTY ARCHIVES AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERE TOO.

YES, SIR.

MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, UH, BEFORE YOU TONIGHT, IT'S A RESOLUTION THAT WILL FORM A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CLARENDON COUNTY AND THE MANNING TIMES FOR THE PURPOSES OF BOTH PRESERVING AND PROVIDING PUBLIC ACCESSIBILITY TO THE CURRENT CONTENTS OF CLA COUNTY ARCHIVES.

THIS PARTNERSHIP IS A RESULT OF A COMBINED EFFORT BY COUNTY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION, STATE REPRESENTATIVE PETINO AND LEANNE MAYNARD OF THE MANNING TIMES.

THE RESOLUTION WILL ALLOW US TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WHEREBY THE CURRENT ARCHIVE COLLECTIONS IN ITS ENTIRETY WILL BE HOUSED AND DISPLAYED FOR BOTH PUBLIC VIEWING AND RESEARCH AT MANNING TIMES BUILDING UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE COUNTY CAN COMPLETE REPAIRS ON THE CURRENT ARCHIVES BUILDING THE RELOCATION OF THE COLLECTION IS NECESSARY DUE TO SIGNIFICANT REPAIRS BEING NEEDED TO THE FACILITY, BUT NO CURRENT FUNDING BEING AVAILABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIRS.

IF THESE REPAIRS ARE NOT MADE, THE ENTIRE COLLECTION IS AT RISK OF BEING DAMAGED AND OR DESTROYED.

BEING THAT THESE ARE UNIQUE, ONE OF A KIND ITEMS THE COUNTY CAN NOT AFFORD TO RISK SUCH DAMAGE.

REPRESENTATIVE PETINO HAS COMMITTED TO PUTTING FOR IN, FOR AN APPROPRIATION IN THE STATE'S FFY 28 BUDGET FOR FUNDING TO AFFECT THE REPAIR, RE AFFECT THE RE REPAIRS ON THE FACILITY.

UPON RECEIVING THE FUNDING, THE COUNTY CAN MAKE THE NEEDED REPAIRS IN ORDER TO RESTORE THE BUILDING TO PROPER FUNCTIONALITY, RESTORE, RESTORE OF THE MANY THINGS THAT I AM CHARGED WITH DOING AS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

ONE IS TO TRY TO PREVENT PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY ARISE.

[00:40:01]

AND I'M SURE YOU'LL SEE AS WE GET DEEPER INTO THE BUDGET PROCESS IN MANY OTHER INSTANCES AS WELL, THAT'S EXACTLY HOW I STRIVE TO PERFORM.

BEING PROACTIVE.

IF WE CAN HEAD OFF A PROBLEM BEFORE IT ARISES OR IT BECOMES SO SEVERE THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT LATER ON, WE CAN OFTEN FIND A SOLUTION THAT IS MUCH LESS IMPACTFUL AND MUCH LESS COSTLY TO THE TAXPAYER.

HAD WE NOT ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE NOW, WE WOULD'VE BEEN FACED WITH AN FACED WITH AN EXPONENTIALLY GREATER PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE, ONE THAT VERY WELL COULD HAVE RESULTED IN IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE CONTENTS OF THE ARCHIVES.

IN TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, I ENGAGED THE INPUT OF OUR LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

I OFFERED SEVERAL SOLUTIONS, NONE OF WHICH WERE PAL PALATABLE TO THE GROUP.

I ASKED THEM TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS BUT HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM ANYONE IN THE GROUP WITH ANY ALTERNATIVES AT ALL.

THE ONLY THING I HEAR CALLS HERE IS CALLS TO SAVE THE ARCHIVES, BUT NO SOLUTIONS BEHIND THOSE CALLS.

BARRING SOLUTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.

I THINK IT'S IMPERATIVE TO COUNTY COUNCIL ACT.

UM, WE HAVE A SOLUTION IN PLACE THAT BOTH PROTECTS THE CONTENTS OF THE ARCHIVES AND HAS A PATH FORWARD TO SAVING THE BILL.

UM, MR. CHAIRMAN, I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.

SO I LEAVE, I DEFER TO COUNCIL'S JUDGMENT AT THIS POINT MAY ADDRESS.

YES SIR, YOU MAY.

UH, MR. ACKERMAN, UH, THIS OUR CARD IS, UH, MS. VAN BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE BEEN IN THAT BUILDING AND I KNOW FROM PREVIOUS YEARS BACK THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE, UH, YOU KNOW, LEAKAGE AND WHAT HAVE YOU, BUT IT WAS A LOT OF REPAIRS DONE IN THAT BUILDING.

UH, IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITY THAT WE COULD TAKE CARE OF THE EMERGENCY REPAIRS IN THAT BUILDING AND LEAVE THAT ARCHIVE OPEN WHILE OUR LOCAL DELEGATION SEEK SOME FUNDING TO REPAIR THE MAJOR WORK THERE? SO COUNCILMAN RICHARDSON, THERE ARE SOME EMERGENCY REPAIRS THAT COULD BE DONE RIGHT NOW.

UH, WE NEED A NEW HVAC SYSTEM ON THAT, ON THAT FACILITY TO PROPERTY CONTROLLED HUMIDITY.

MY WORRY, THE WORRY OF OUR FACILITIES FOLKS AND THE WORRY OF THE ENGINEERS THAT WE HAD TO LOOK AT THE BUILDING IS, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT ISSUES WITH THE BRICK EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING, THE FOUNDATION FROM THE UNDERSIDE.

THERE'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MOISTURE AND WATER COMING IN FROM THE GROUND AND WEEPING IN EVERY TIME IT RAINS.

YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT NOW BECAUSE WE IN A DROUGHT, BUT A LOT OF WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE.

WE'RE ONE GOOD RAINSTORM AWAY FROM SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE CONTENTS OF THAT BUILDING.

THAT'S MY WORK.

UM, I I MY JOB IS TO POINT THINGS OUT TO COUNCIL BEFORE THEY BECOME A PROBLEM.

AND IF WE WAIT UNTIL THAT BUILDING STARTS LEAKING, THEN IT'S TOO LATE.

THINGS HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN DAMAGED.

THEY'VE ALREADY GOTTEN WE, UH, YEAH.

YEAH, MR UH, .

IIII HEARD WHAT YOU SAID.

UM, BUT WE, WE, WE HAVE A PROBLEM HERE NOW.

AND, AND THE PROBLEM WE HAVE HERE IS THIS COUNCIL HERE, ALONG WITH YOU HAD LOST THE TRUSTED THE PEOPLE.

THEY DON'T, THEY DON'T BELIEVE WHAT WE SAYING AND NO ONE BELIEVED ABOUT WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

I I BE GETTING CALLS FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS EVER SINCE THIS TOPIC CAME UP.

AND I TOLD THE SOME OF MY CALLS, THE SOME OF THE SAME THING YOU JUST REPEATED AND NONE OF 'EM BELIEVED.

WHAT, WHAT WAS SAID, THE DAMAGE OF THAT BUILDING, THE SHAPE THAT BUILDING IS IN, UH, WHY A LARGE TRUSTEE, I DON'T KNOW, BUT THEY DON'T BELIEVE, BELIEVE WHAT WE ARE SAYING, THEY DON'T BELIEVE.

HEY, WHAT WERE YOU SAYING? SIR? SIR, SIR, THIS IS NOT A PUBLIC HEARING.

PLEASE BE QUIET.

ONLY PEOPLE CAN TALK IS US.

AND THIS IS NOT PUBLIC HERE.

AND I WILL WANT YOU MIGHT BE A TAXPAYER, BUT THIS IS NOT A PUBLIC HERE.

AND I WAS WONDERING,

[00:45:01]

THERE'S A LOT OF IN THAT BUILDING THAT'S NORTH DAKOTA.

BUT I THINK WE EXEMPT THE, SOME OF THAT STUFF FROM, FROM A CODE STANDPOINT, MR. MR. RICHARDSON, YOU ARE CORRECT.

WE ARE EXEMPT FROM A CODE STANDPOINT.

THE OTHER ISSUE I HAVE IS THAT BUILDING IS NOT A DA ACCESSIBLE FROM THE OUTSIDE AND IT'S NOT A DA ACCESSIBLE FROM THE INSIDE, AND THERE IS ONLY ONE EXIT AND ENTRANCE TO THE PUBLIC FOR ANYBODY FROM THAT BUILDING, RIGHT? EVEN THOUGH WE ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE COUP, SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN THAT IS NOT GONNA EXEMPT US FROM LIABILITY, THAT'S ALSO PART OF MY WORK.

WELL, I'LL ASK THIS COUNCIL TO, LET'S TABLE THIS ISSUE UNTIL WE CAN GET SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

UH, GET THE TRUST BACK OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE AND JUST EXPLORE EVERY OPPORTUNITY.

IS THERE ANY WAY THAT WE COULD PRESERVE THAT BUILDING AND STAY THERE UNTIL OUR LOCAL DELEGATION IS SOME, MAYBE SOME GRANT MONEY BE FUNDED SO WE COULD BRING IT UP TO DATE? YEP.

WELL, AGAIN, MS. COUNCILMAN RICHARDSON, THAT IS THE PLEASURE OF COUNCIL.

IT'S THE COUNCILS DECISION WHETHER OR NOT, RIGHT? THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT I ASK COUNSEL.

I, I I WOULD SAY THIS, UM, A LOT OF REASON I THINK WHY THE PUBLIC HAS LOST TRUST IN THIS MATTER IS BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE SPREADING THINGS THAT AREN'T TRUE.

THEY'RE SAYING THAT THINGS HAVE BEEN SAID THAT WEREN'T SAID, THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE FACTS OF THE MATTER BECAUSE NOBODY HAS COME AND TRIED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION.

ONE THING THAT I IMPLORE THE LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO DO WAS TO TAKE OVER THE ARCHIVES THEMSELVES, HAVING EXPERIENCE IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS, TALKING TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO DO THIS.

THERE IS AMPLE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE FOR NONPROFIT GROUPS SUCH AS HISTORICAL SOCIETIES FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

VERY LITTLE MONEY IS OUT THERE AVAILABLE TO GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES.

SO IT WOULD, IT WOULD HELP MOVE THIS MATTER FORWARD IF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY WOULD STEP UP AND TAKE OVER THE ARCHIVES ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY, WHICH IS REALLY WHERE IT BELONGS ANYWAY.

IT BELONGS IN THE HANDS OF THE LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO OPERATE THIS AS IT'S TECHNICALLY A MUSEUM.

IS THAT, IS, IS THAT HOW MOST COUNTIES OPERATE? YES, SIR.

COUNTY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ARCHIVES.

YES, SIR.

ABSOLUTELY.

YEAH.

THERE ARE VERY FEW COUNTIES THAT HAVE, THAT HAVE A, A MUSEUM.

MOST OF THE TIMES THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS OPERATING IN MUSEUMS. HOLD UP.

IT'S NOT PUBLIC.

IT'S NOT PUBLIC.

THIS, I MEAN, THIS ISN'T, THIS ISN'T A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION.

ANYTHING ELSE MR. BILL? NO.

NO.

WELL, MR. CHAIRMAN, YOU NEED A MOTION FOR THIS.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO, TO MOVE IT MANY TIMES TILL WE CAN GET THE BUILDING STRAIGHT.

AND AT THAT TIME WHEN YOU MOVE IT BACK, AND AT THAT TIME, THEY WANT TO TAKE IT OVER AFTER WE GET THE, POSSIBLY GET THE MONEY AND FIX THE ENTIRE BUILDING.

IF Y'ALL WANNA TAKE IT OVER, THEN TH THIS IS MY PROBLEM.

ALL I'VE HEARD FROM DAY ONE ABOUT THIS, UM, IS A LOT OF, A LOT OF STUFF THAT WAS NEVER SAID BY ANYBODY SITTING UP HERE.

BUT, UM, ALL I'VE HEARD WAS WE WANNA SAVE THE ARCHIVES.

WE WANT THAT, THAT WHOLE COLLECTION TO BE KEPT INTACT TO WHERE IT CAN BE VIEWED BY THE PUBLIC.

THAT IS WHAT WE'RE GIVING YOU.

WE WANNA SAVE THE BUILDING, WE WANNA TO REMODEL THAT BUILDING.

WE WANNA SAVE THE BUILDING.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GIVING YOU.

AND, AND, AND WHEN YOU, WE GIVE YOU THIS AND WE GIVE YOU THAT, NOW YOU WANT MORE AND YOU WANT MORE AND YOU WANT MORE.

I MEAN, THE BUILDING HAS TO BE REPAIRED.

THE STUFF IN THAT BUILDING IS PRICELESS.

DO Y'ALL REALIZE NONE OF THAT STUFF HAS EVER BEEN DIGITIZED? SOME OF THAT STUFF THAT IS THE ONLY COPY WE HAVE OF IT.

AND WHEN IT'S GONE, IT'S GONE.

AND Y'ALL CAN, I MEAN, LISTEN, I, I SEE Y'ALL, YOU SIT BACK THERE AND YOU SHAKE YOUR HEAD LIKE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

I'M NOT STUPID.

I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

I MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT RESOLUTION.

I GOT A MOTION TO ACCEPT RESOLUTION FROM COUNCILMAN COKER.

I GOT A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN RODIN.

ALL IN FAVOR, A NA MOTION PASSES.

NEXT UP WE HAVE ORDINANCE

[12. Ordinance 2026-02]

[00:50:01]

WELL GIVE HIM JUST A SEC.

NEXT IS ORDINANCE 2026 DASH OH TWO.

CONSIDERATION OF THE THIRD AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE 2026 DASH OH TWO AND ORDINANCE AMENDING AND REINSTATING ORDINANCES ESTABLISHING A 1% LOCAL HOSPITALITY TAX ON THE SALES OF PREPARED MEALS AND BEVERAGES SOLD IN CLATON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERE TOO.

CHAIRMAN.

SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN RICHARDSON.

SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN COPE.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ALL OPPOSED? AND MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE

[13. Ordinance 2026-03]

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THELAN COUNTY UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE TO AUTHORIZE AND IMPLEMENT A FLEXIBLE DESIGN DISTRICT ZONING DESIGNATION.

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? SO, MOVE.

SECOND MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN RICHARDSON.

SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN COKER.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT, WE HAVE

[14. Budget Presentations – Nelson Gibbons, Finance Director]

MR. GIBBONS SAYS, PREPARE TO BE AMAZED.

, BELIEVE ME, NOTHING CAN AMAZE ME NOW.

.

ALRIGHT, YOU GOT IT.

THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.

AND GOOD EVENING COUNCIL.

HAPPY BUDGET SEASON.

UM, I'VE GOT A COUPLE THINGS HERE.

WE GOT TECHNIC DIFFICULTIES.

YEAH.

FLASHES ACROSS WHILE THEY'RE, YEAH.

WHILE THEY'RE WORKING ON THAT.

UM, SO TONIGHT'S READING, FIRST READING OF OUR FISCAL YEAR 2027.

I'VE GOT SEVERAL, SEVERAL UPDATES FOR Y'ALL.

BUT, UH, FIRST, UH, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT, UM, OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS IN OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT, MYSELF, UH, OUR ADMINISTRATOR, MR. WA ACKERMAN, AND, UH, SHE TOLD ME NOT TO MENTION HER, BUT MS. BENNY PHILLIPS, OUR BUDGET ANALYST.

UM, WE'VE SPENT QUITE A FEW HOURS WORKING ON, UH, ON THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

AND I THINK THAT I CAN SPEAK FOR ALL OF US WHEN I SAY THAT.

UM, IT'S, UH, IT'S BEEN FUN JUST PLAYING THIS CHESS GAME WHERE WE'RE TRACKING AND, AND PROJECTING ESTIMATING REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES, UM, KIND OF PUTTING THIS PACKET TOGETHER FOR Y'ALL.

REALLY THINK WE'VE, UH, I THINK WE'VE HAD A LOT OF TIME, A GOOD TIME TOGETHER.

SO I WANNA THANK BOTH OF THEM TOO FOR, FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK EFFORT AND, UH, AND THEN FOR DEALING WITH ME.

SO IT'S BEEN FUN.

UM, SO THERE'S STILL WORK TO BE DONE, BUT, UH, I DO HAVE SEVERAL, UH, SEVERAL KEY POINTS I WANNA HIGHLIGHT AND, AND EMPHASIZE FOR Y'ALL TONIGHT.

SO WE'RE JUST GONNA STEP RIGHT INTO IT AND, UH, WE'LL BEGIN WITH THEIR, OUR GENERAL FUNDS.

SO, SO FOR OUR GENERAL FUND REVENUES, OKAY, SO CURRENTLY BASED ON OUR PROJECTIONS, UH, WE BUDGETED OUR REVENUES TO BE $31.4 MILLION.

AND, UH, THAT IS A PROJECTED INCREASE OF JUST OVER $880,000 FOR THIS, UH, THIS COMING FISCAL YEAR FROM, FROM LAST YEAR.

SO NOW THOSE REVENUE PROJECTIONS, THEY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT SEVERAL FACTORS.

YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, THE, THE GROWTH AND THE VALUE OF A MILL WOULD BE ONE OF 'EM.

UH, BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, INCLUDED IN THESE REVENUE PROJECTIONS ARE TWO MAJOR PRESS, UH, PRECEDENT FACTORS THAT I REALLY WANT TO EMPHASIZE TONIGHT.

SO THE FIRST IS GONNA BE BOAT TAX REVENUES.

SO AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATORS HAVE PASSED A BILL TO REDUCE THE BOAT TAX IN SOUTH CAROLINA, OKAY? NOW THAT REDUCTION IS SET TO BE PHASE IN OVER THE COMING YEARS.

UH, HOWEVER, INCLUDING IN OUR BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR YOU ALL TONIGHT, WE HAVE ACTUALLY, UH, GONE AHEAD AND, AND WE'RE GONNA PROPOSE YOU TO GO AHEAD AND REDUCE THE BOAT TAX ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THAT 6%.

AND THAT HAS BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR IN THESE, UH, REVENUE OBJECTIONS.