Council moves forward on wastewater infrastructure bonds and economic development incentives
The Council approved a second reading for $2 million in wastewater infrastructure bonds and a first reading for a special source revenue credit agreement related to the economic development initiative identified as Project Gemstone. These measures are part of an ongoing effort to improve county infrastructure and bolster local business growth.
8 votes8 passed
The vote behind the headline
Special Source Revenue Credit Agreement for Project Gemstone (1st Reading):Council approved the first reading of an economic development incentive agreement for Project Gemstone.Taxes & budget
Yes 5 · No 0
▸detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Jimmy Jones
This measure marks the first reading of an ordinance authorizing a Special Source Revenue Credit (SSRC) agreement between Kershaw County and an entity identified as Project Gemstone. Such agreements are standard economic development tools used to provide incentives for businesses that bring capital investment and job creation to the region. Due to the sensitive nature of these economic development negotiations, specific details regarding the project, the identity of the company, and the value of the credits were addressed during an executive session held later in the meeting. This represents the initial step in the legislative process for this incentive package, and it will require subsequent readings and public consideration before final adoption. Council members discussed the need for transparency regarding the project's nature during the reading, while staff maintained the confidentiality necessary for ongoing business negotiations.
General Obligation Bonds for Wastewater Infrastructure (2nd Reading):Council approved a $2 million bond issuance to fund critical wastewater infrastructure repairs and capital projects.Taxes & budgetWater & sewer
Yes 5 · No 0
▸detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Jimmy Jones
This ordinance authorizes Kershaw County to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $2 million. The funds are earmarked for acquiring, constructing, equipping, and rehabilitating wastewater infrastructure and various other capital improvement projects across the county. According to the County Administrator, this measure is a proactive step to address aging sewer lines, particularly in the Lugoff and Elgin areas, which have recently experienced an increase in service complaints. The project is expected to be part of a broader $12 million rehabilitation initiative spanning approximately six years. Crucially, the Administrator confirmed that this bond issuance does not require any increase in property taxes or service fees, as it utilizes existing excess debt capacity. This second reading confirms the county's intent to proceed with the financing plan, with a third and final reading expected after a public hearing on June 23.
Special Source Revenue Credit Agreement for Project Gemstone (1st Reading):Council approved the first reading of an economic development incentive agreement for Project Gemstone.Taxes & budget
Yes 5 · No 0
▸detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Jimmy Jones
This measure marks the first reading of an ordinance authorizing a Special Source Revenue Credit (SSRC) agreement between Kershaw County and an entity identified as Project Gemstone. Such agreements are standard economic development tools used to provide incentives for businesses that bring capital investment and job creation to the region. Due to the sensitive nature of these economic development negotiations, specific details regarding the project, the identity of the company, and the value of the credits were addressed during an executive session held later in the meeting. This represents the initial step in the legislative process for this incentive package, and it will require subsequent readings and public consideration before final adoption. Council members discussed the need for transparency regarding the project's nature during the reading, while staff maintained the confidentiality necessary for ongoing business negotiations.
Joint Industrial Park Agreement for Project Gemstone (1st Reading):Council approved expanding a joint industrial park with Fairfield County to include Project Gemstone property.Jobs & economyParks & rec
Yes 5 · No 0
▸detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Jimmy Jones
What this was about
This ordinance serves as the first reading to amend the existing agreement for the development of a joint industrial and business park between Kershaw County and Fairfield County. The amendment formally increases the boundaries of the established industrial park to include specific real property associated with Project Gemstone. By placing this property within the joint industrial park, the county can facilitate the delivery of economic development incentives, including the revenue credits authorized in the companion SSRC ordinance. This collaborative regional approach is designed to foster industrial growth and increase the tax base for both counties. As this was a first reading in title only, no substantive discussion of the specific parcel boundaries occurred at this session, with further deliberations expected in upcoming meetings.
Building Codes Administrative Appeal Procedures Amendment (2nd Reading):Council amended building codes to align board qualifications with international standards and streamline administrative processes.Development
Yes 5 · No 0
▸detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
• Ben Connell · not recorded• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Derek Shoemake · not recorded• Jimmy Jones · not recorded• Brant Tomlinson · not recorded• Danny Catoe · not recorded
The official minutes don't say how the members in grey voted on this item.
This ordinance amends Chapter 6 of the Kershaw County Code of Ordinances to update the procedures for the Building Codes Board of Adjustments and Appeals. The primary goal of the amendment is to harmonize county requirements with the International Building Code (IBC) as adopted by the South Carolina Building Codes Council. The previous county ordinance contained overly restrictive qualifications for board members - such as requiring specific professional degrees - which made it difficult for the county to seat a functional board. By adopting the standard IBC criteria, the county can more easily recruit and appoint members, ensuring that developers and citizens have timely access to the appeals process. Additionally, the amendment incorporates uniform terminology and clarifies existing procedures, reducing the administrative burden on both staff and applicants.
Lease of 632 W. Dekalb Street to Clemson Extension (3rd Reading):Council granted final approval for a lease agreement with the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service.RoadsCounty property
Yes 5 · No 0
▸detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Danny Catoe✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Jimmy Jones
Council approved the third and final reading of an ordinance to lease county-owned real property at 632 W. Dekalb Street in Camden to the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. This lease provides the Extension service with a stable location for its branch office, allowing it to continue providing agricultural education, 4-H programming, and community support services to Kershaw County residents. The lease agreement outlines the specific obligations, maintenance responsibilities, and terms of occupancy for the space. This final approval solidifies the partnership between the county and Clemson University, ensuring that these vital local resources remain accessible in a centralized government facility.
Lease of 632 W. Dekalb Street to SC Department of Natural Resources (1st Reading):Council initiated a lease agreement for office space at 632 W. Dekalb Street for the SCDNR.RoadsCounty property
Yes 5 · No 0
▸detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
• Ben Connell · not recorded• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Derek Shoemake · not recorded• Jimmy Jones · not recorded• Brant Tomlinson · not recorded• Danny Catoe · not recorded
The official minutes don't say how the members in grey voted on this item.
This ordinance initiates the first reading to formalize a lease agreement for county-owned property located at 632 W. Dekalb Street in Camden, specifically for use by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). The county has been moving to memorialize its various lease arrangements with state agencies housed within this government facility to ensure clear terms and responsibilities. By standardizing these leases, the county aims to maintain better oversight of building operations and tenant obligations. This is the initial reading of the ordinance, with subsequent readings required to finalize the lease terms and authorize the execution of the agreement.
Lease of 632 W. Dekalb Street to SC Forestry Commission (1st Reading):Council initiated a lease agreement for office space at 632 W. Dekalb Street for the Forestry Commission.RoadsCounty property
Yes 5 · No 0
▸detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
• Ben Connell · not recorded• Sammie Tucker Jr. · not recorded• Derek Shoemake · not recorded• Jimmy Jones · not recorded• Brant Tomlinson · not recorded• Danny Catoe · not recorded
The official minutes don't say how the members in grey voted on this item.
What this was about
Similar to the other lease agreements approved during the meeting, this first reading authorizes a lease for the South Carolina Forestry Commission to utilize space within the county’s 632 W. Dekalb Street office building in Camden. The lease defines the scope of the commission's use of the facility and the associated responsibilities of both the county and the state agency. This process of updating and standardizing leases ensures that all state partners operating out of county property are under formal agreements, providing legal clarity regarding maintenance, liability, and utility costs for the building.
Council unanimously adopted the Santee-Lynches Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan for 2026-2030. This plan, developed by the Santee-Lynches Council of Governments in coordination with FEMA and the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, serves as a blueprint for disaster preparedness and hazard mitigation in the region. By formally adopting the plan, Kershaw County remains eligible for federal grant funding for future mitigation projects, such as flood control, emergency warning systems, and building code updates. The plan outlines specific mitigation actions including backup power for critical facilities, emergency shelter management, and infrastructure maintenance like ditch cleaning. The adoption ensures the county meets federal regulatory requirements for coordinated regional disaster planning.
Routine Housekeeping: The Council unanimously adopted the meeting agenda, reappointed Virginia Long to the Clean Commission, and reappointed Ed Garrison, Christine Christle, and Bob Giangiorgi to the Library Board.
Proclamations and Resolutions: The Council presented proclamations recognizing June 2026 as Forging Strong Fathers and Families Month and honoring the 40th anniversary of Elgin Pharmacy. A resolution was also passed honoring the life of Beverly Jean "Jeannie" Rose Potter.
Executive Session: The Council entered and exited executive session to discuss Project Gemstone (SC Code 30-4-70(a)(5)). No votes were taken during this session.
Public comment▸showhide
Isaac McCaskill addressed the Council regarding concerns about property tax status and notification procedures for his land.
William Holland spoke to the Council regarding potential concerns about the environmental and utility infrastructure impact of AI data centers in the county.
Coming up▸showhide
Next Council Meeting: Scheduled for June 23, 2026.
Deferred Appointments: The reappointments for the Clean Commission (Districts 3 and 6) were moved to the June 23 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.
