Council passed the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget and millage rate, finalizing a plan that includes no tax or fee increases
The budget also allocates $2.5 million from sewer reserves to satisfy grant matching requirements for a project intended to expand wastewater treatment capacity.
8 votes8 passed2 split
The vote behind the headline
FY 2023-2024 Millage Rate (3rd Reading):Council unanimously approved the annual millage rate, ensuring no property tax increases for residents.Taxes & budget
Unanimous · 5-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
This ordinance sets the millage rate for Kershaw County for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023. The measure passed unanimously following its third reading. County leadership highlighted that this rate maintains current levels, meaning there is no property tax increase for citizens or businesses compared to the previous year. Council members expressed pride in avoiding tax hikes, noting that several neighboring counties did not have the same financial luxury this year. The approval concludes the legislative process for the millage, providing certainty for the county's revenue collection for the upcoming cycle.
This ordinance adopts the county's financial appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023. The budget was finalized following a third and final reading, passing with a 6-1 vote. A key component of the budget discussions involved the re-prioritization of ARPA funds originally earmarked for sewer infrastructure, which were shifted to recreation projects, a move that drew significant public criticism regarding transparency and funding priorities. To address concerns about sewer capacity, the Council approved an amendment during this meeting to move $2.5 million from sewer reserves to a contingency line item to act as a match for a wastewater expansion grant. The approved budget includes no increases to property tax millage or local fees. Council members emphasized that the plan represents their best effort to balance county needs, though Councilman Jimmy Jones ultimately voted against it due to the inclusion of the recreation spending. The budget now takes effect for the new fiscal year.
This ordinance sets the millage rate for Kershaw County for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023. The measure passed unanimously following its third reading. County leadership highlighted that this rate maintains current levels, meaning there is no property tax increase for citizens or businesses compared to the previous year. Council members expressed pride in avoiding tax hikes, noting that several neighboring counties did not have the same financial luxury this year. The approval concludes the legislative process for the millage, providing certainty for the county's revenue collection for the upcoming cycle.
Amendment to Zoning Ordinance Membership Terms (3rd Reading):Council amended the code to extend the terms of zoning commissioners to three consecutive terms.DevelopmentAppointments
Unanimous · 5-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
This amendment to the Kershaw County Code of Ordinances modifies the membership terms for the planning and zoning commission. The measure, which passed unanimously on its third reading, extends the eligibility for commission membership from two consecutive terms to three. Council members argued this change is necessary to preserve institutional knowledge on a board that requires significant specialized training and education for its members. By extending the term limit, the Council aims to prevent the commission from being depleted of experienced members who are familiar with the complexities of local zoning laws and land-use ordinances.
PASSED (Unanimous). The amendment extends commission membership to three consecutive terms
Amendment to Zoning Ordinance Removal Procedure (3rd Reading):The Council now requires a two-thirds supermajority vote to remove a board member for cause.Development
Unanimous · 5-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
This ordinance amendment changes the procedure for removing members of the planning and zoning commission. It requires a two-thirds supermajority vote (5-2) by the Council to remove a member for cause, rather than a simple majority. Council members stated this change is intended to promote board stability and ensure that appointments are not politically motivated or subject to frequent changes. By raising the threshold for removal, the Council aims to hold itself accountable and ensure that board members are not removed unless there is a clear, substantiated reason. This procedural change is part of a broader effort to modernize and clean up the county's various board and commission ordinances.
PASSED (Unanimous). The amendment requires a two-thirds supermajority vote for council to remove a board member for cause
Rezoning 2.58 Acres on Tickle Hill Road (1st Reading):Council approved the first reading to rezone 2.58 acres to allow for an existing auto repair shop.DevelopmentRoads
Unanimous · 5-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
This ordinance initiates the rezoning of 2.58 acres on Tickle Hill Road from low-density residential to general development. The property has been used as an auto repair garage for approximately 30 years. Council members expressed support for the measure because the use is long-established and the surrounding property owners are in agreement with the zoning change. While some members raised concerns about the long-term implications of rezoning residential land to general development - which allows for a wider range of commercial activities - the Council ultimately voted unanimously to pass the first reading, noting that the planning commission had already recommended the move.
Rezoning 6.30 Acres on Ridgeway Road (1st Reading):Council approved the first reading to rezone 6.30 acres for a proposed Dollar General market.DevelopmentRoads
Yes 5 · No 1
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How they voted
✗ Derek Shoemake• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Danny Catoe · not recorded• Jimmy Jones · not recorded• Russell Brazell · not recorded
The meeting video didn't make clear how the members in grey voted; their votes fill in automatically once the county posts the official minutes.
This ordinance provides for the first reading of a rezoning request for 6.30 acres on Ridgeway Road, shifting the classification from Rural Resource to General Business. The request is intended to facilitate the construction of a Dollar General market. The proposal has generated significant public debate, with supporters highlighting the convenience for elderly residents on fixed incomes and opponents citing concerns about traffic safety, potential for crime, and the preservation of the rural character of the area. Several residents submitted petitions both for and against the project. Council members expressed divided opinions, with some acknowledging the need for local services while others, including Councilman Derek Shoemake, expressed hesitation and a desire to align with staff recommendations, which initially suggested denial. The measure passed 5-1, allowing the project to move to a second reading for further review.
Rezoning 46 Acres near Carolina Motor Sports Park (1st Reading):Council approved the first reading to rezone 46 acres near the Carolina Motor Sports Park.DevelopmentParks & rec
Unanimous · 5-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
This ordinance rezones approximately 46 acres of land near the Carolina Motor Sports Park from a rural district to general development. The property owner intends to expand the facility, and Council members largely viewed this as a positive economic development project for the county, noting the revenue and tourism impact of the existing racetrack. Supporters of the rezoning highlighted the owner's history as a good community partner and the potential for future development, such as hotels, to serve visitors. While Councilman Derek Shoemake expressed a general note of caution regarding the rezoning of rural or residential land for commercial purposes, he joined the rest of the Council in a unanimous vote to advance the ordinance to its second reading.
SCDOT Letter for COG Reassignment (New Business):Council approved a letter to transition the county's transportation planning to the Santee Lynches COG.DevelopmentRoads
Unanimous · 5-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Danny Catoe✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
Council approved a letter to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) requesting a formal transition of the county's transportation planning efforts from the Central Midlands Council of Governments (CMCOG) to the Santee Lynches Council of Governments. This move aims to allow Kershaw County to compete more effectively for transportation funding. For decades, the county felt it was underserved as a smaller partner within the CMCOG structure, which prioritized larger neighbors like Richland and Lexington counties. By moving to Santee Lynches, where Kershaw County leadership holds board positions, officials believe they can better secure infrastructure improvements, particularly for areas like West Wateree. The transition is expected to provide greater focus on rural road and intersection safety projects.
PASSED (Unanimous). The county will transition from the Central Midlands COG to the Santee Lynches COG for transportation planning
Council received an update regarding a $10 million state infrastructure grant.
The administrator clarified that $2.5 million is being moved to a contingency line item within the sewer fund to serve as a match for a project adding one million gallons of daily capacity to the county’s wastewater facility.
Public comment▸showhide
Residents voiced significant opposition to the proposed use of ARPA funds for recreation projects, arguing that water and sewer infrastructure should remain the top priority.
Several speakers expressed concerns regarding the transparency of the grant application process. Other residents debated the proposed Dollar General rezoning in Ridgeway, with supporters emphasizing the need for local grocery access and convenience, while opponents cited concerns about increased traffic, safety, and the potential for spot zoning.
Coming up▸showhide
The next council meeting will continue the legislative process for the three rezoning ordinances that passed their first reading.
Independent summary, generated from the county's public video, not an official county communication.
How this recap was made: Prepared from the meeting's live-stream transcript. The county's official minutes (the verified vote record) will be cross-checked automatically once the county publishes them, often a couple of months later. 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.
