County Council - Regular Meeting

Welcome to County Council, June 23rd.

I should round them up. That's all that matters. Once again, welcome. And first of all, before we get rolling, inform you that Lexington County Council is on channel 1302. Lexington County website also. You can watch it on demand. We appreciate you being here today. First of all, call the order and invocation. Mr. Cockrell, we're going to introduce some folks for us.

Good evening. Tonight's invocation is going to be led by Shantiki Benson. Shantiki Benson serves on Lexington County as the 911 Communication Accreditation Manager and is recognized for her leadership, dedication to public safety. and commitment to professional excellence. Most recently, she led Lexington County Communication through its sixth Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies Accreditation Award, earning the Distinguished Meritorious Accreditation designation. She also plays a key role in the strategic planning, policy development, and organizational improvement initiatives that support the agency's mission of providing exceptional emergency communication service to the citizens of Lexington County. Her academic and professional credentials include dual certifications in leadership through Harvard, edX, certificates in project management and public speaking, and active membership in Toastmasters International. In 2026, Shantiki further expanded her service and leadership by completing the South Carolina Federation of Fire Chaplains Fire Chaplaincy course and being elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Police Accreditation Coalition. She is the first representative from South Carolina 911 Communication Center to serve in this role. In addition, her public safety work, Chontiki is a published author with four books available in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Japan, and Australia. She is also passionate about mentoring, leadership development, believing that investing into others is one of the greatest responsibilities of any leader. Known for her professionalism, humility, and servant-hearted approach to leadership, Shantiki is committed to making meaningful impact both Lexington County and throughout the public safety profession. Her blend of expertise EXPERIENCE AND DEDICATION CONTINUES TO ADVANCE EXCELLENCE AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION WHILE INSPIRING THOSE AROUND HER. WELCOME.

THANK YOU. I SOUGHT THE LORD AND HE ANSWERED ME. AND HE LED ME TO A SCRIPTURE FROM ZECHARIAH THAT SAYS Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord. So Lord, we thank you today for your spirit being in this place and in this county. I thank you, God, that this county is so much more than just a place. It is a community. So we thank you today, God, for the community that is in this place. We thank you for the people. Father, we thank you for... the council, who you've authorized, Lord, to be our decision makers. Lord, we bless them. We ask that you continue to bless them, God. Continue to bless the different agencies throughout this community who work together so wonderfully, God, to help and serve the people of this county. Lord, we love you. We praise you. We give you all honor and glory for which you are due, Father. And we thank you for what you're doing in this place, in this county, and in this community, Lord. Thank you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Amen. Thank you. Thank you very much. Tonight's pledge will be led by Ann Clark. Ann Clark served in the United States Navy from 1977 to 1981, and then again from 83 to 1999. During her time in service, she received numerous awards of and decorations, including the Notorious Service Medal, one Silver Star, the Navy Accommodation Medal, three Gold Stars, the Navy Achievement Medal with two Gold Stars, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one device, the Gold Wreath for Excellence and Marksmanship Pistol Shot Medal with one device. After leaving the military, Ann worked at Sand Point Middle School in Sand Point, Idaho for five years. She now lives in Lexington and gives back to the local community and is a mother of one and has two grandchildren with another grandchild expected in September. Welcome, Ann.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, ma'am. Thank you for your service.

Thank you very much, Anne.

Thank you, Anne, and thank you, Todd. Council report. Anybody have anything they would like to report? With that said, Mr. Sturkey.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Tonight's administrative report, just a reminder that the administrative offices will be closed on Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day. Also, the round two of our Layston County Transportation Improvement Plan, the open house meetings are coming up. They'll be held as drop-ins from 5 to 7 p.m. at the following dates and locations. On Monday, June 29th, at Swansea High School Cafeteria. Tuesday, June 30th, Chapin High School Cafeteria. Wednesday, July 1. Irmo Elementary School Cafeteria. Thursday, July 2nd, Layston County Auxiliary Building. That's in rooms 112 and 113. Monday, July 6th, Batesburg-Leesville High School, the new gymnasium. And Tuesday, July 7th, Brooklyn Casey High School in the Hall of Fame room. So as you know, we had our first round in the spring. The work's been done to collect the data that was, or to report on the data that was collected. And so we're looking forward to those drop-ins as we continue the Lansing County Transportation Improvement Plan. And then just a reminder, as we move into our summer session, our next council meeting will be Tuesday, July 14th. That's it, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Cherky. Boards and commissions.

Chairman, I have an appointment I'd like to make.

Yes, ma'am.

I would like to appoint Ainsley Bost to the citizens' appointment for the COG.

Second. Motion.

Second. Motion by Ms. Westinger and a second by Mr. Brigham. Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

Councilman Cullum?

No.

Councilman Conwell?

No.

Councilwoman Kerrig? Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger? Yes. Councilman Fisher?

No.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

No.

Vice Chair Cockrell?

Yes.

Chairman Hudson?

Yes. Do we have any other boards and commissions?

Five. Five, four. Did it pass?

Say that again?

Five, four.

Passed. It did. This one.

We do have one for Frank Rutowski.

Yes, ma'am. Make a motion to approve, Mr. Rutowski.

I think Glenn's got it. Is that your appointee or is that your time?

I've recommended Frank to apply. Yeah, that'd be my motion to appoint Frank. It's me, Charlie, Gary.

No, it's not mine. Okay, okay. He just lives in Chapin, so I think Todd.

We have a motion by Mr. Cockrell. We have a motion by Mr. Cockrell.

I'll second.

I'll second by Ms. Kerrig. That said, Madam Clerk can call for the vote.

Councilman Cullum.

Yes.

Councilman Conwell.

Yes.

Councilwoman Kerrig. Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger. Yes. Councilman Fisher.

Yes.

Councilman Brigham.

Yes.

Councilman Bishop.

Yes.

Vice Chair Cockrell.

Yes.

Chairman Hudson.

Yes. Any others? I would like to make a motion to reappoint Tracy Mitchell to another year on the Planning Commission.

We have a motion to reappoint Tracy Mitchell. Second. Mr. Bishop? Second. We're confident, though.

Councilman Cullum?

Yes.

Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

Councilwoman Kerrig? Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger? Yes. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice Chair Cockrell?

Yes.

Chairman Hudson?

Yes. Any others?

I do have a question, not necessarily an appointment. We do have an application for Wendy Gardner, but looking at her expertise, she has a lot of experience in the... tax area and I don't know what we're going to be doing with the citizen from your area for the other citizen tax point it's just something to talk about think about if that is something that we want to is that one that we were email that's one up here

So what you're saying, you'd like for us to look at that and make a recommendation maybe?

If she's, yeah, maybe next time. Maybe not right now today.

Somebody might want to reach out to her and talk to her. Okay, very good. Good idea. Looking for approval of the June 10, 2026 meeting minutes. Move to approve June 10, 2026 minutes. We have a motion by Mr. Bishop.

Second. Second.

Second by Clifford Fisher.

Councilman Cullum? Yes. Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

Councilwoman Kerrig? Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger? Yes. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice Chair Cockrell?

Yes.

Chairman Hudson?

Yes. We have three ordinances. The first one is the approval of Ordinance 2603, an ordinance amending the Lexington County Zoning Ordinance Article 1, Chapter 1, Section 11.0, exclusions Article 2, Chapter 2, Section 22.14, parking lot, connectivity. Everybody's familiar with it. This is third and final reading. Move to approval of Ordinance 26-03. Thank you, Mr. Bishop. Second. Second by Mr. Cockrell. Adam Clark, call for the vote.

Councilman Cullum? Yes. Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

Councilwoman Kerrig? Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger? Yes. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice Chair Cockrell? Yes. Chairman Hudson?

Yes. Number two, approval of Ordinance 2605, an ordinance adopting the annual budget for financial year 26 through 27, third and final reading.

Move to approve, Mr. Chairman.

We have a motion and a second by Ms. Kerrig. Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

Councilman Cullum? Yes. Councilman Conwell? Yes. Councilwoman Kerrig? Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger? Yes. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice Chair Cockrell? Yes. Chairman Hudson?

Yes. Third, we have an approval of Ordinance 2610, an ordinance to provide for an assuance of sale of not exceeding $70 million aggregate principal amount of general obligation bonds of the Lexington County South Carolina to prescribe for the purpose of which proceeds shall be expended to provide for payment thereof, provide for other matters related thereto, first reading by title only. Move to approve, Mr. Chair. Was that Larry? Yeah. We have a motion by Larry Brigham. Second. Second by Michael Bishop. Questions? Chair, call for the vote.

Councilman Cullum?

Yes.

Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

Councilwoman Kehrig?

Yes.

Councilwoman Wessinger? Yes. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice Chair Cockrell?

Yes.

Chairman Hudson?

Yes, committee reports.

Mr. Chairman, real quickly, before we move on, I just wanted to say real quickly, you were a little quick on the draw today before we got past the budget ordinance.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, Mr. Sturkey and staff and all department heads. I know it's a yearly endeavor for you, but, again, I think this year went through seamlessly. We had a really good explanation as to how we're going to provide funding. to continue to provide the high-level services that we provide in the county. So all the department heads, all your hard work and putting up with Lynn and Michael and the rest and Adam and all the questions that you got, I just want to tell you thank you, and hopefully the council feels the same way. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

You're welcome, and I should have given you that opportunity. I've told him that personally, so I kind of let that slide. Anyway, we do feel that way, and thank you. And then I'll tell you again, now publicly. So now we go into committee reports, economic development, Ms. Carey.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In economic development, I would seek the approval to accept the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority grant. The Economic Development Committee convened Wednesday, June 10th, 2026, to hear a request to approve and accept the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority grant award for the Saxagotha Industrial Wastewater Improvement Project. Lason County has been awarded $873,000 through the RIA Economic Infrastructure Grant Program. The grant requires a 50% local match. which can be funded through the existing capital funds allocated for the project. The grant award represents 50% of the total construction cost of the Wastewater Improvements Project. This project is a critical infrastructure improvement for the Sacsagatha Industrial Park. Recent success in recruiting and expanding industry within the park has reduced available wastewater capacity. The proposed improvements will increase system capacity, support existing industries, and enhance the ability to recruit additional high-quality, high-impact industrial investments in Lexington County. The RIA requires execution of the grant agreement within 45 days of the award date. After a brief discussion, the committee moved to recommend to full council approval to accept the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority Grant Award. That is my motion. Second.

I have a motion by Ms. Kerrig and a second by Ms. Wessinger. Any questions? Councilman Clark.

Councilman Cullum.

Yes.

Councilman Conwell.

Yes.

Councilwoman Kerrig. Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger. Yes. Councilman Fisher.

Yes.

Councilman Brigham.

Yes.

Councilman Bishop.

Yes.

Vice Chair Cockrell.

Yes.

Chairman Hudson.

Yes. Thank you, Ms. Kerrig. Next, we have Health and Human Services. Mr. Brigham.

Health and Human Services met today. to discuss Lexington County Public Library request for approval to accept Library Services and Technology Act grant on behalf of part-time employee. Help me with this, Kelly. Just call him Jay. Jay Shree. Jay Shree Webster. Thank you. Mr. Webster has more than six years of library experience and is currently enrolled in the Master of Information Science program at the University of South Carolina for the spring of 2026 semester. The grant award would reimburse her for 66%, which is $1,301 of her tuition at no extra cost to the library. The committee approved this earlier, and that's my motion. Second.

A motion by Mr. Brigham and a second by Mr. Bishop. Any questions? That's it.

Councilman Cullum? Yes. Councilman Conwell?

Yes.

Councilwoman Kerrig? Yes. Councilwoman Wessoner? Yes. Councilman Fisher?

Yes.

Councilman Brigham?

Yes.

Councilman Bishop?

Yes.

Vice Chair Cockrell?

Yes.

Chairman Hudson?

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Brigham. Next is Ms. Kerrig again, Ms. Chairman, on the municipal judge agreement.

The Justice Committee convened on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, to hear a request for approval of a municipal judge agreement for the town of Irmo. The agreement will allow Judge Edward Lewis to serve as primary municipal judge and Judge Gary Morgan to serve as backup municipal judge. for the town of Irmo. After a brief discussion, the committee moved to recommend full council approval of the municipal judge agreement for the town of Irmo. That's my motion.

I have a motion by Ms. Kerrig.

Second.

Second. By Mr. Cullum. Mr. Cullum. Madam Clerk, call for the vote.

Councilman Cullum. Yes. Councilman Conwell.

Yes.

Councilwoman Kerrig. Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger. Yes. Councilman Fisher.

Yes.

Councilman Brigham.

Yes.

Councilman Bishop.

Yes.

Vice Chair Cockrell.

Yes.

Chairman Hudson.

Yes. Next, we have the budget amendment resolutions. Mr. Turkey.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Tonight we have two of them. The first one is an additional fiscal year funding increase of $3,000. Lexington County Sheriff's Department has accepted a donation of three MacBook Air laptops. This is to record the donations for that award. The next is an additional fiscal year funding increase of $1,301. The library has received a Library Services and Technology Act Tuition Reimbursement Grant Award on behalf of employee Jay Webster. This is to establish the budget for that award. That's it, Mr. Chair.

Thank you much. As these two are coming down, if somebody would look at bids, purchases, and RFPs. Great.

Mr. Chairman, I would move that we approve Contract extension for third-party hose testing. We would approve the award. Charlestown Road, roadway and drainage improvements. The award for the phone call generator services and repair.

Very good, Mr. Cullum. Mr. Cullum has made a motion for, that would be X, Y, and Z. Second that. I have a second by Ms. Wessinger. Are there any questions? No questions. Madam Clark.

Councilman Cullum. Yes. Councilman Conwell.

Yes.

Councilwoman Kerrig. Yes. Councilwoman Wessinger. Yes. Councilman Fisher.

Yes.

Councilman Brigham.

Yes.

Councilman Bishop.

Yes.

Vice Chair Cockrell. Yes. Chairman Hudson.

Yes. And we won't be back until after July 4th.

July 14th.

Y'all have a wonderful July 4th, and we'll see you after then. Be careful.