Council establishes one meeting per month schedule through January and defers road improvements
In an effort to streamline operations during the holiday season and allow the Finance Committee time to review project funding, Council voted to move to a monthly meeting schedule starting in October. Additionally, a decision on the Dr. Humphries and Mt. Olivet Road improvements was deferred for two weeks to ensure a thorough review of the associated budget.
13 votes13 passed2 split
The vote behind the headline
Reduction of Council meeting schedule to once per month from October through January (None):Council moved to a once-monthly meeting schedule from October through January.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Jimmy Jones
What this was about
Council voted to transition to a one-meeting-per-month schedule for the months of October, November, December, and January. The change is intended to accommodate holiday travel schedules and streamline operations during the end of the calendar year when legislative business is typically lighter. The meetings will occur on the second Tuesday of each month. Councilman Danny Catoe, who brought the motion forward, noted that emergency meetings can still be called if necessary. The decision aims to reduce administrative resource usage during the holiday season while ensuring essential county business remains addressed.
During the adoption of the agenda, Councilman Derek Shoemake moved to remove item 14A, which was slated as an executive session, from the evening's proceedings. Council members agreed to defer this item until the next council meeting on September 9th. The motion to amend the agenda passed with a 5-0 vote, with Council members Brant Tomlinson and Jimmy Jones absent at the time of the vote. Removing this session allowed the council to focus on the public legislative and administrative items currently before them. This change was reflected immediately in the meeting flow and noted for the record by the clerk to council.
PASSEDFor 5 · Against 0 (Tomlinson and Jones absent)
Adoption of the Amended Agenda (None):Council formally adopted the updated meeting agenda following the removal of the executive session.
Yes 5 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Ben Connell✓ Danny Catoe
What this was about
Following the successful vote to remove the executive session, the Council proceeded to adopt the amended agenda as a whole. This procedural vote ensures that the public record reflects the exact items Council intends to deliberate during the session. The amended agenda was passed unanimously by the members present, with a 5-0 vote. This adoption serves as the formal starting point for the meeting, allowing the chair to move into public comments and scheduled business.
PASSEDFor 5 · Against 0 (Tomlinson and Jones absent)
Public Presentation for SAFE Designation Certification (None):Council recognized the Kershaw County Sheriff's Department for achieving a specialized victim assistance certification.
Yes 5 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
• Ben Connell · not recorded• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Jimmy Jones · not recorded• Danny Catoe · not recorded• Russell Brazell · not recorded• Derek Shoemake · not recorded• Brant Tomlinson · not recorded
The official minutes don't say how the members in grey voted on this item.
Sheriff Lee Boan introduced representatives from the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network to present the Sexual Assault Forensic Excellence (SAFE) designation to the Kershaw County Sheriff's Department. This voluntary certification recognizes law enforcement agencies that implement rigorous training in trauma-informed care and forensic evidence preservation for sexual assault victims. Kershaw County is the fourth law enforcement agency in the state to receive this honor. The designation process involved mandatory training for patrol officers and school resource officers. Council members congratulated Sheriff Boan and his staff for their commitment to providing enhanced care for victims of violent crime.
PASSEDFor 5 · Against 0 (Tomlinson and Jones absent)
Update from Alliance Engineering on Recreation Projects (None):Alliance Engineering provided progress reports on several ongoing county recreation and roadway construction projects.Parks & rec
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe
What this was about
Kyle Clampitt of Alliance Engineering delivered a detailed update on five major active projects: the Kershaw County West Recreation Complex, the rehabilitation of Boyd Young and Copeland ballfields, the Wateree River Veterans Park boat ramp, Woodward Park, and roadway improvements near the Mt. Olivet/Governor's Hill Industrial Park. Construction at the West Recreation Complex is expected to conclude in October, while the Boyd Young and Copeland ballfields improvements are also nearing completion. The boat ramp project faced delays due to river levels but is back on track for concrete installation. Woodward Park remains on schedule for a December 2025 completion. Council members expressed interest in potentially adding utility stubs for food trucks at recreation sites to improve public amenities. The update confirmed that ongoing work is largely within budget contingencies, with formal financial reports to follow.
The Council reviewed the minutes from the regular meeting held on August 12, 2025. Following a motion and a second, the minutes were approved by a unanimous vote of those present. This action is a routine administrative necessity to ensure the accuracy and transparency of the County's official record of proceedings, votes, and discussions.
Ordinance to amend the definition of Minor Subdivisions (1st Reading):Council passed the first reading of an ordinance to refine definitions related to minor subdivisions.Development
Yes 3 · No 2
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How they voted
✗ Sammie Tucker Jr.✗ Jimmy Jones• Ben Connell · not recorded• Danny Catoe · not recorded• Russell Brazell · not recorded• Derek Shoemake · not recorded• Brant Tomlinson · not recorded
The official minutes don't say how the members in grey voted on this item.
What this was about
This ordinance amends the Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations regarding the definition of minor subdivisions. The change seeks to clarify development standards and administrative procedures within the county. The measure passed with a 3-2 vote, with Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. and Councilman Jimmy Jones voting in opposition. This is the first of several required readings before the ordinance can be finalized. The county aims to use these updates to streamline planning processes and ensure that subdivision rules are consistently applied across the region.
Tomlinson Amendment to increase minimum lot size to 10 acres for Rural Event Venues and Rural Country Clubs (None):Council unanimously approved an amendment increasing the minimum lot size for rural event venues.Development
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Danny Catoe✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson
What this was about
Councilman Brant Tomlinson proposed an amendment to the event venue ordinance that increases the minimum lot size requirement from 5 acres to 10 acres for designated Rural Event Venues and Rural Country Clubs. The goal of this change is to provide a buffer for residents in agricultural neighborhoods, preventing commercial event venues from being placed in close proximity to dense residential tracts. Council members supported the measure as a protective tool for existing rural communities while still fostering economic development for small-scale venue operators. The amendment passed with unanimous support from all Council members present.
Ordinance for Event Venues with Tomlinson Amendment (3rd Reading):Council approved the third and final reading of the event venue ordinance with the new acreage requirements.
Yes 6 · No 1
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How they voted
✓ Ben Connell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Danny Catoe✓ Russell Brazell✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Brant Tomlinson✗ Jimmy Jones
This ordinance amends sections of the Unified Code concerning commercial event venues, rural event venues, and rural country clubs, including new signage regulations. By removing references to bed and breakfasts hosting weddings and instead providing conditional use status for event venues, the county aims to formalize how these businesses operate. The ordinance includes the recently passed 10-acre minimum lot size requirement for rural venues. The measure passed 6-1, with Councilman Jimmy Jones casting the dissenting vote. This final reading effectively adopts the new regulatory framework into the county's zoning code.
Ordinance to enlarge the Joint Industrial and Business Park (2nd Reading):Council passed the second reading of an ordinance to expand the Joint Industrial and Business Park.Jobs & economyParks & rec
Yes 5 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
• Ben Connell · not recorded• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Jimmy Jones · not recorded• Danny Catoe · not recorded• Russell Brazell · not recorded• Derek Shoemake · not recorded• Brant Tomlinson · not recorded
The official minutes don't say how the members in grey voted on this item.
This ordinance enlarges the Joint Industrial and Business Park agreement between Kershaw County and Lee County to include specific property parcels within Kershaw County. The expansion is primarily intended to accommodate the Creed Solar Farm project, allowing the facility to benefit from a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement. The second reading passed with a 5-0 vote, with Vice Chairman Russell Brazell absent. Expanding the park is a ministerial step necessary to finalize financial incentives that were previously approved in concept by Council. The project remains on schedule for final consideration.
Deferral of Dr. Humphries and Mt. Olivet Road Improvements Bid (None):Council deferred the road improvement bid for two weeks to allow for finance committee review.Roads
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Jimmy Jones
Council voted to defer the award of a construction bid for improvements on Dr. Humphries and Mt. Olivet Road. The goal of the deferral is to provide the Finance Committee with additional time to evaluate the project's budget alongside other ongoing county infrastructure commitments. While staff noted that a delay of two weeks would likely not cause significant cost increases related to mobilization, Council members expressed a desire for fiscal caution. The bid will be revisited in two weeks after the committee has completed its review of available funding.
Approval of bid for Runway 6/24 and Taxiway A Lighting and Signage Rehabilitation (None):Council approved a contract for airport lighting and signage improvements funded by a federal grant.Taxes & budget
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Jimmy Jones
Council approved a bid for the rehabilitation of Runway 6/24 and Taxiway A lighting and signage. The project is primarily funded through an FAA grant, with the county only responsible for approximately 2.5% of the total costs, amounting to roughly $52,000. Council members highlighted that the high federal match rate made this an exceptionally cost-effective project that should not be delayed. The passage of the airport overlay district and land use plan was cited as a contributing factor to the county's success in securing these funds. The motion passed unanimously.
Reduction of Council meeting schedule to once per month from October through January (None):Council moved to a once-monthly meeting schedule from October through January.
Unanimous · 7-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Russell Brazell✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Jimmy Jones
What this was about
Council voted to transition to a one-meeting-per-month schedule for the months of October, November, December, and January. The change is intended to accommodate holiday travel schedules and streamline operations during the end of the calendar year when legislative business is typically lighter. The meetings will occur on the second Tuesday of each month. Councilman Danny Catoe, who brought the motion forward, noted that emergency meetings can still be called if necessary. The decision aims to reduce administrative resource usage during the holiday season while ensuring essential county business remains addressed.
Adjourn meeting (None):Council voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:14 p.m.
Yes 6 · No 0
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How they voted - unanimous
• Ben Connell · not recorded• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Jimmy Jones · not recorded• Danny Catoe · not recorded• Russell Brazell · not recorded• Derek Shoemake · not recorded• Brant Tomlinson · not recorded
The official minutes don't say how the members in grey voted on this item.
Having addressed all items on the agenda, Council voted to adjourn the meeting. The motion was made by Councilman Sammie Tucker Jr. and seconded by Councilman Danny Catoe. The session concluded at 7:14 p.m.
Council received an update from Kyle Clampitt of Alliance Engineering regarding ongoing recreation projects, including the Kershaw County West Recreation Complex, rehabilitation of the Boyd Young and Copeland ballfields, the Wateree River Veterans Park boat ramp, and Woodward Park.
Officials also discussed potential future additions like food truck utility stubs at recreation sites and received notice of a forthcoming Zoom meeting regarding the 208 water quality plan.
Public comment▸showhide
Linda Franklin Moore spoke regarding Planning and Zoning, commending the commission's chairman for his work on the airport overlay district and the comprehensive land use plan.
Coming up▸showhide
The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for September 9, 2025.
The deferred bid for the Dr. Humphries and Mt. Olivet Road improvements will be revisited in two weeks.
The rescheduled Executive Session is also slated for the September 9th meeting.
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.
