Council dedicates $3.4 million in ARPA funds to overhaul emergency radio infrastructure
Council members voted to reallocate funds previously earmarked for sewer utilities to replace aging emergency radio systems used by the Sheriff’s Department, EMS, 911, and local fire districts, citing a critical need to ensure reliable communication for first responders.
13 votes12 passed1 failed2 split
The vote behind the headline
ARPA Funds Recommitment for Public Safety Radios (None):Council voted to reallocate $3.4 million in ARPA funds to replace aging public safety radio infrastructure.
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Russell Brazell
What this was about
This vote authorizes the reallocation of $3.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which were previously earmarked for sewer utilities, to replace critical radio communication systems. The equipment serves the Kershaw County Sheriff's Department, EMS, 911, and local fire districts, including the Lugoff Fire District. Proponents of the measure characterized the radio replacement as an immediate necessity, noting that aging systems have left responders without reliable communication in life-threatening situations, such as inside burning buildings. While some members, including Sammie Tucker Jr., questioned the process and urged adherence to the Finance Committee's established review procedures, the measure passed with broad support. Council members emphasized that the expenditure is a one-time capital investment permissible under ARPA guidelines, noting that equipment costs have risen due to project delays.
Adoption of Agenda (None):Council formally approved the meeting agenda for April 25, 2023.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake
What this was about
Council voted unanimously to adopt the meeting agenda. This is a routine administrative procedure required at the start of every public meeting to finalize the items that will be addressed by the council during the session.
Council issued a proclamation recognizing Stewardship Week to promote the importance of natural resource conservation and watershed health. The proclamation supports the mission of the National Association of Conservation Districts and local efforts to manage water quality and flood mitigation.
Council presented a commemorative plaque to the family of the late S.E. Johnson, a former principal of Bethune High School and superintendent of the Kershaw County School District. The plaque was removed from the former S.E. Johnson Memorial Stadium and donated to the family as a gesture of appreciation for his long-term impact on the community.
Fee Agreement Amendment for Canfor Southern Pine (2nd Reading):Council approved the second reading of an ordinance to extend the investment period for a Canfor Southern Pine agreement.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Russell Brazell
Council passed the second reading of an ordinance amending a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes (FILOT) agreement for Canfor Southern Pine. The amendment extends the investment period by five years to facilitate a planned $10 million expansion at their Cassatt manufacturing facility, bringing total estimated investment to $80 million. The ordinance maintains current assessment and millage rates while ensuring the county continues to benefit from the ongoing economic development at the site.
Kershaw/Fairfield Multi-County Industrial Park Agreement (1st Reading):Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to restate a joint industrial park agreement with Fairfield County.Jobs & economyParks & rec
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake
Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that amends and restates a long-standing Multi-County Industrial Park (MCIP) agreement with Fairfield County. The agreement is being standardized to reflect current state law and termination clauses, ensuring that the county retains 99% of revenues generated from investments within its boundaries, with a 1% share provided to the partner county. This ratification process updates existing boundaries and administrative procedures for the joint park.
This vote constitutes the first reading of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, presented in title only due to the ongoing nature of the budget development process. By approving the measure in title only, Council aimed to remain on schedule with mandated reporting dates while continuing work on the budget's specifics. During the discussion, Council members acknowledged the challenging and informative nature of the current budget cycle and expressed appreciation to the Finance Committee and administrative staff for their efforts. It was noted that there are no proposed millage or tax increases in the current budget draft. Several Council members, including Jimmy Jones, expressed concerns about the practice of title-only readings, advocating for future cycles to provide full details for all three readings. The final budget is expected to be completed and presented to the public in greater detail during the upcoming budget sessions in May.
Council passed the first reading of the ordinance establishing the property tax millage rate for Fiscal Year 2024 by title only. This aligns with the budget reading schedule and serves to keep the tax notice process on track, though members reiterated their desire for greater transparency in future cycles through fully detailed readings.
ARPA Funds Recommitment for Public Safety Radios (None):Council voted to reallocate $3.4 million in ARPA funds to replace aging public safety radio infrastructure.
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Russell Brazell
What this was about
This vote authorizes the reallocation of $3.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which were previously earmarked for sewer utilities, to replace critical radio communication systems. The equipment serves the Kershaw County Sheriff's Department, EMS, 911, and local fire districts, including the Lugoff Fire District. Proponents of the measure characterized the radio replacement as an immediate necessity, noting that aging systems have left responders without reliable communication in life-threatening situations, such as inside burning buildings. While some members, including Sammie Tucker Jr., questioned the process and urged adherence to the Finance Committee's established review procedures, the measure passed with broad support. Council members emphasized that the expenditure is a one-time capital investment permissible under ARPA guidelines, noting that equipment costs have risen due to project delays.
Amendment to Goals and Objectives (None):Council amended its retreat goals to elevate EMS ambulances, chassis, and sheriff's vehicles to high-priority status.EMS & firePublic safety
Yes 5 · No 2
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How they voted
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✗ Sammie Tucker Jr.✗ Derek Shoemake
What this was about
Council approved an amendment to the previously established goals and objectives from their recent budget retreat, specifically moving two EMS ambulances, one chassis for a remount, and new vehicles for the Sheriff's Office into the high-priority category. The discussion reflected a desire to ensure that critical capital assets receive funding before recreational park projects. While the Council initially sought to move a Sheriff's Office attorney position into the high-priority group as well, that specific amendment failed. Members engaged in a rigorous debate regarding whether revisiting retreat priorities undermined the integrity of the retreat process or merely allowed for necessary adjustment in the face of evolving departmental needs. The final tally resulted in the reassignment of the requested public safety assets to the high-priority list, effectively signaling to the administration that these items are to be prioritized in the upcoming budget draft.
PASSEDFor 5 · Against 2. This amendment elevated ambulances and sheriff vehicles to high priority status
Council conducted a vote to formally accept the Goals and Objectives document. Despite the previous successful amendment to elevate emergency vehicle priority, the final measure failed to achieve a majority. This document serves as a rubric for the County Administrator in drafting the budget, and the result suggests the need for further deliberation on council priorities.
Council unanimously accepted a $300,000 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The funding will cover salary and benefits for a recruitment and retention officer position over a four-year period, with the county assuming responsibility for the role thereafter. The position will focus on training and firefighter recruitment, potentially acting as a shared resource for regional fire departments.
Council approved a motion to enter executive session to receive attorney-client privileged legal advice regarding potential claims and to discuss negotiations related to a proposed contractual arrangement, in accordance with state open meeting laws.
• Katie Guinn · not recorded• Jimmy Jones · not recorded• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Danny Catoe · not recorded• Brant Tomlinson · not recorded• Derek Shoemake · not recorded• Russell Brazell · not recorded
The official minutes don't say how the members in grey voted on this item.
Council discussed the current budget retreat priorities, ultimately moving EMS ambulances and sheriff vehicles to high-priority status.
There was also a presentation from the Kershaw County Flyers regarding maintenance needs at the KC Science Park.
Public comment▸showhide
Residents expressed concerns regarding the condition of county bridges, the need for a dedicated full-time litter officer, and the importance of prioritizing emergency radio funding over recreational projects.
Speakers also urged Council to maintain respectful professional discourse during public meetings.
Coming up▸showhide
Canfor Southern Pine Public Hearing and 3rd Reading: Scheduled for May 9, 2023.
Cleveland School Fire Day: May 17, 2023, with commemorative services scheduled for May 16-17.
Kirkland Community Center Open House: Scheduled for May 20, 2023.
This is an independent summary prepared from the county's official published minutes and the meeting's live stream, not an official county communication.
How this recap was made: Prepared from the county's official minutes (the verified vote record) combined with the meeting's live stream (quotes and discussion). This is an automated summary written by software (a neural-network summarizer working from the documents above). Rely on the official county record for anything important.
