The Council approved a sweeping recreation improvement plan that allocates $6 million in ARPA funds, contingent upon a matching $6 million contribution from the Kershaw County Health Services District
The project aims to revitalize existing local parks and facilities based on a process involving the County Recreation Commission and future Council approval.
12 votes10 passed2 failed7 split
The vote behind the headline
Allocation of $6M ARPA funds for Recreation Improvements (Motion #1):Council approved $6 million in ARPA funds for park revitalizations contingent on matching funds.Parks & rec
Yes 5 · No 2
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How they voted
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✗ Katie Guinn✗ Jimmy Jones
In a 5-2 vote, Council approved the reallocation of $6 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to revitalize county recreation facilities. The plan mandates that these funds be matched by a $6 million commitment from the Kershaw County Health Services District - with $3 million coming from MUSC and $3 million from the Health Services District. The County Administrator is directed to solicit bids within 90 days for improvements at the Larry Doby Complex and Woodward Park, with additional planning for other county parks. The process includes review by the Recreation Commission and a final Council vote before any funds are expended. This measure aims to address declining recreation budgets while leveraging external capital.
Ordinance amending Kershaw/Fairfield Multi-County Industrial Park Agreement (3rd Reading):Council finalized the agreement to allow economic incentives for industrial park properties.Jobs & economyParks & rec
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Jimmy Jones● Russell Brazell (recused)
This ordinance amends and restates the Multi-County Industrial Park (MCIP) agreement between Kershaw and Fairfield counties. Such agreements are essential under state law for granting economic development incentives, like fee-in-lieu of tax arrangements, to industries located within the park. The agreement dictates that 99% of revenue remains with the county where the property is located, while 1% is transferred to the partner county. This third reading solidifies the legal framework, with Fairfield County properties formally listed in the newly populated Exhibit B. The vote passed 6-0, with Councilman Russell Brazell recusing himself due to a conflict of interest involving property ownership within the park boundaries. This concludes the legislative process for this agreement.
Zoning Map amendment for Tax Parcel #294-00-00-045 (2nd Reading):Council approved a zoning change to allow a second mobile home on the parcel.Taxes & budgetDevelopment
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Russell Brazell✓ Jimmy Jones
Council approved the second reading of a zoning map amendment for an 89-acre parcel owned by Alan and Donna Barton. The property, located at Tax Parcel #294-00-00-045, will be rezoned from R-15 to RD-2. The owners clarified that their intent is not to develop a mobile home park, but rather to place a second mobile home on the land to accommodate a relative, thereby improving their quality of life. Council members emphasized that RD-2 zoning represents a lower density than R-15, making the request reasonable and straightforward. With the second reading passing unanimously, the change moves toward final ratification.
PASSED (Unanimous). The amendment allows for the placement of a second mobile home on the property
Allocation of $6M ARPA funds for Recreation Improvements (Motion #1):Council approved $6 million in ARPA funds for park revitalizations contingent on matching funds.Parks & rec
Yes 5 · No 2
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How they voted
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✗ Katie Guinn✗ Jimmy Jones
In a 5-2 vote, Council approved the reallocation of $6 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to revitalize county recreation facilities. The plan mandates that these funds be matched by a $6 million commitment from the Kershaw County Health Services District - with $3 million coming from MUSC and $3 million from the Health Services District. The County Administrator is directed to solicit bids within 90 days for improvements at the Larry Doby Complex and Woodward Park, with additional planning for other county parks. The process includes review by the Recreation Commission and a final Council vote before any funds are expended. This measure aims to address declining recreation budgets while leveraging external capital.
Council unanimously approved the allocation of $165,000 in ARPA funds to purchase a new chassis for an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ambulance. This purchase is part of the county's ongoing effort to update aging emergency response equipment and ensure reliability for first responders. While Vice-Chairman Jimmy Jones unsuccessfully attempted to amend the motion to also include funding for an additional ambulance - totaling $530,000 - Council chose to proceed with the specific allocation for the chassis. This ensures that a critical EMS unit can be returned to service or upgraded to meet current safety standards.
Kirkland Community Center $63,000 ARPA funding for 2-year program (Motion #3):Council funded a two-year summer program for the Kirkland Community Center.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe
Council unanimously approved $63,000 in ARPA funding to support a two-year summer program at the Kirkland Community Center, located at the former Barron DeKalb Elementary School. The center serves the northern Liberty Hill area of the county. The program is designed to provide youth with engagement and educational opportunities during the summer months. Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. emphasized that the funding is structured as a two-year bridge, allowing the program to establish sustainability and seek future funding sources beyond this initial ARPA grant. This effort represents the county’s commitment to community-based educational initiatives.
Council approved $130,895 in ARPA funds for the Arts Center of Kershaw County to address immediate facility maintenance needs. Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. noted that the center currently faces over $1.2 million in deferred maintenance, and these funds will target essential repairs, including bathroom upgrades, window replacements, and theater improvements. The Arts Center plays a significant role in county outreach, offering educational and cultural experiences for students and residents. Councilman Jimmy Jones cast the lone dissenting vote, expressing opposition to the funding source and the overall budgetary process.
Council approved a $10,000 allocation from the county’s Accommodations Tax (ATAX) fund to support the Arts Center of Kershaw County. These funds are drawn from surplus ATAX revenue and are intended to assist the center in cultural and tourism-related programming. Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. clarified that this allocation is separate from the formal committee recommendations that Council expects to receive in the future. Chairwoman Katie Guinn voted against the measure, while the rest of the Council supported the allocation as a justifiable use of surplus tourism tax funds.
Council allocated $100,000 in ATAX funds to assist with improvements to the Wateree River boat ramp. The project seeks to address long-standing congestion and safety issues at the existing U.S. 1 access point, which is heavily used by boaters and sportsmen. Councilman Russell Brazell noted that the county is working with state legislators to seek additional state-level appropriations for a larger scale project. If state funding is successfully secured, the local contribution may serve as a critical match or placeholder to ensure the project moves forward. Chairwoman Katie Guinn and Vice-Chairman Jimmy Jones voted against the motion, citing concerns over the clarity of the project scope and the need for a completed study.
Council approved a $7,500 ARPA funding request for the Kershaw County chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). The funds will support the organization’s efforts to establish a full-time representative in local schools, providing mentorship and resources for students and coaches. Councilman Derek Shoemake highlighted that the representative, Jeremy Ray, is a local graduate committed to expanding FCA’s presence across all Kershaw County schools. The funding will cover supplies, scholarships, and marketing. The motion passed unanimously with Councilman Jimmy Jones absent at the time of the vote.
Council approved the second reading of the ordinance establishing the property tax millage rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023. Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. confirmed that there are no millage increases in this ordinance, maintaining stability for county taxpayers. The ordinance sets rates for county operations, debt service, fire districts, and technical college support. Councilman Jimmy Jones cast the lone dissenting vote. The ordinance now proceeds to third and final reading, at which point the Lugoff Fire District rate will also be formally confirmed.
Routine and Housekeeping Votes:The Council unanimously approved the agenda, proclamations, minutes, and the bid for a new industrial park turn lane.Jobs & economyParks & rec
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Katie Guinn✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Russell Brazell✓ Jimmy Jones
What this was about
The Council conducted several routine administrative actions to maintain county operations. This included the formal adoption of the meeting agenda, approval of the minutes from the May 9, 2023, meeting, and the approval of two ceremonial proclamations for Dr. Thomas Stowe Mullikin and Chip Galloway. Additionally, members voted to authorize the bid for a turn lane project into the Governor Hill Industrial Park, which will be financed through a combination of South Carolina Power Team funds and County Transportation Committee funds. These measures ensure that established administrative processes and essential infrastructure projects proceed on schedule.
The Council unanimously approved the agenda, proclamations for Dr.
Thomas Stowe Mullikin and Chip Galloway, minutes from May 9, 2023, the bid for the Governor Hill Industrial Park turn lane, entry and exit of executive session, and meeting adjournment
Discussed, no vote▸showhide
Amendment to Budget for ARPA projects list: Vice-Chairman Jimmy Jones introduced a motion to adopt the Administrator's list of ARPA projects; the motion FAILEDFor 1 · Against 6.
Budget Amendment for EMS Ambulance: Vice-Chairman Jones introduced an amendment to increase the EMS chassis funding to include an additional ambulance; the motion FAILEDFor 1 · Against 6.
Public Hearing: A public hearing was held regarding the Multi-County Industrial Park (MCIP) agreement; no members of the public spoke.
Public comment▸showhide
Residents and local officials addressed the Council on several topics:
Ashley Rabon and Lugoff Fire Chief Chris Spitzer requested funding for a water rescue boat to improve safety on the Wateree River.
Vickie Moniz advocated for a return to paper ballots and hand counting to increase government trust.
Tim Taylor expressed concerns regarding ARPA fund priorities and maintenance at the Elgin recycling site.
Amanda Stephen urged the Council to be considerate of taxpayer spending and focus on public safety and infrastructure priorities.
Coming up▸showhide
Next meeting: June 13, 2023. Council is expected to receive recommendations from the ATAX Committee and further updates on board appointments.
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.
