Barnwell County public meetings in 2022

County Council

The County Council met for a special called meeting to review the county's financial status. Council accepted the audit for the year ending June 30, 2022, as presented by Highsmith & Highsmith, CPAs.

• Approved the meeting agenda
• Accepted the audit for the year ending June 30, 2022

County Council

Barnwell County Council approved the 2023 meeting schedule and resolutions recognizing Judge Inabinet and the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission. The council also appointed a new member to the Housing Committee. No other substantive policy decisions were recorded.

• Approved nomination of Stephen Conrad Hunter to the Housing Committee
• Approved Resolution of Recognition for Judge Inabinet
• Approved resolution supporting the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission and creating the Barnwell County 250 Committee
• Approved 2023 meeting dates
• Approved November 15, 2022 meeting minutes

County Council

Council approved an amendment to the Animal Shelter Ordinance and financing terms for Sheriff's Office and Detention Center vehicles. A proposed business license tax was tabled pending a feasibility study. Several board appointments were confirmed.

• Approved amendment to Animal Shelter Ordinance #2010-08-262 (7-0)
• Approved financing terms for Sheriff's Office and Detention Center vehicles
• Tabled ordinance to create a Business License Tax and Process and Procedure
• Approved nomination of Elizabeth Zorn to Animal Shelter Board
• Approved nomination of Vorise Peeples to Generations Unlimited Board
• Reappointed Will Kearse to Economic Development Commission
• Reappointed Ernestine Gillam and Terri Smith to Library Board
• Approved motion to ask legislative delegation to change law regarding county-owned parking lot paving

County Council

The Council met in executive session to discuss personnel matters related to a former employee. No substantive actions were taken during the session.

• Approved the meeting agenda
• Entered executive session to discuss a former employee's personnel matters
• No action taken in executive session

County Council

The Council considered a proposed amendment to Animal Shelter Ordinance #2010-08-262 regarding a Trap, Neuter, Return Program. Following a roll call vote, the Council decided to table the amendment. The meeting also included an executive session for personnel and contractual matters.

• Approved the meeting agenda
• Approved motion to enter Executive Session for personnel and contractual matters
• Tabled Proposed Amendment to the Animal Shelter Ordinance #2010-08-262 (4-3)

County Council

Council approved the second reading of an amendment to the Animal Shelter Ordinance (2010-08-262) with a condition that the TNR program ceases if funding is unavailable, and inserted language clarifying it is operated by volunteers, not county staff. A resolution allowing the Sheriff to order allocated vehicles for the department and detention center was also approved. Additionally, a bid from Management Advisory Group International was accepted to conduct a classification and compensation study.

• Approved second reading of Animal Shelter Ordinance amendment with TNR program funding condition (7-0)
• Approved resolution for Sheriff's Department and Detention Center vehicle allocation (unanimous)
• Accepted bid from Management Advisory Group International for classification and compensation study (unanimous)
• Reappointed Bryan Kinard to Building Code Appeals Board for District #7
• Approved nomination of Cheryl Long to Generations Unlimited Board for District #7 (unanimous)
• Reappointed William Morris to Recycling Committee for District #7
• Nominated Vorise Peeples to Generations Unlimited Board for District #6
• Approved moving forward with a workshop with SRNS (unanimous)

County Council

The Barnwell County Council met in executive session to discuss personnel matters. No votes or decisions were made during the session. The meeting lasted 15 minutes and was purely procedural.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Entered executive session for personnel discussion (unanimous)
• Adjourned at 5:45 p.m. (unanimous)

County Council

Barnwell County Council approved moving county employees to a 26-week pay period effective January 15, 2023, and changed the holiday pay policy to pay shift employees for the actual holiday worked rather than the observed holiday. Council also approved third and final reading of an ordinance allowing remote meetings via Zoom, approved $11,384 for courthouse handicap accessibility upgrades, and approved financing to pay off the remaining $33,020.70 balance on the Aquatics Center project. A proposed amendment to the Animal Shelter Ordinance was tabled pending input from the Sheriff.

• Approved moving to a 26-week pay period effective January 15, 2023, per Personnel Committee recommendation
• Approved changing holiday pay policy to pay shift employees for the actual holiday worked rather than the observed holiday
• Approved third and final reading of ordinance amending Permanent Rules of Procedure to allow remote meetings via Zoom
• Approved $11,384 bid from Huss Inc. for courthouse handicap accessibility improvements
• Approved financing $33,020.70 to complete the Aquatics Center project from A-Tax Revenue or General Fund
• Approved addendum extending Intergovernmental Agreement with City of Barnwell for Magistrate Clerk services through December 31, 2022
• Approved Resolution Authorizing Release of Capital Project Sales Tax Funds
• Approved Enabling Resolution for 2022-2023 Millage Rates

County Council

The Barnwell County Council is holding a special called meeting, with the main item being an executive session to discuss personnel matters related to Generations Unlimited and contractual matters regarding the Trap, Neuter, and Return program at the Animal Shelter. No public votes or decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Executive session discussion on personnel matters related to Generations Unlimited
• Executive session discussion on contractual matters for the Trap, Neuter, and Return program at the Animal Shelter

The Barnwell County Council met for a special called meeting on August 29, 2022, and approved the agenda. Council entered executive session to discuss personnel matters related to Generations Unlimited and contractual matters regarding the Trap, Neuter and Return Program at the Animal Shelter, but no action was taken after returning to public session. The meeting adjourned without any substantive decisions.

• Approved meeting agenda (unanimous)
• Entered executive session for personnel and contractual discussions
• No action taken after executive session

County Council

The Barnwell County Council met in executive session to discuss negotiations related to a proposed property sale. No action was taken during the session. The meeting was procedural only, with no substantive decisions made.

• Approved agenda (motion carried)
• Entered executive session to discuss proposed property sale (motion carried)
• Adjourned at 5:53 p.m. (motion carried)

County Council

The council approved the sale of approximately 2.4 acres at Dunbarton Boulevard and Barwick Rd to the City of Barnwell. They also approved a sod contract for the YMCA Aquatic Center, a $30,000 purchase of crusher run for the YMCA parking lot, and second readings of ordinances on event scheduling and remote meetings. A proposed amendment to the Animal Shelter Ordinance was removed from the agenda.

• Approved sale of 2.4 acres at Dunbarton Blvd & Barwick Rd to City of Barnwell
• Awarded sod contract to Adam's Nursery for $8,250 for YMCA Aquatic Center
• Approved $30,000 purchase of 800 tons of crusher run for YMCA parking lot
• Approved second reading of Ordinance for Scheduling of Events on County-Owned Properties
• Approved second reading of Ordinance to Amend Permanent Rules of Procedure (remote meetings)
• Removed second reading of Animal Shelter Ordinance amendment from agenda
• Approved travel to Washington, DC for DOE/SRS PILT discussions
• Formed committee to work on broadband headed by Councilman Alexander

County Council

The Barnwell County Council met in executive session on July 12, 2022, to discuss employee compensation and the FY 22-23 budget. No action was taken during the session, and the meeting adjourned after the discussion. The minutes record no substantive decisions.

• Approved meeting agenda (motion carried)
• Entered executive session to discuss employee compensation and FY 22-23 budget (motion carried)
• Adjourned at 5:45 p.m. (motion carried)

County Council

The council approved a resolution amending the Master Agreement for the Quad-County Industrial Park to include additional property, and approved a recognition resolution for Dr. Marcella Shaw. Three ordinances were introduced for first reading: scheduling events on county-owned property, amending council rules of procedure, and amending the animal shelter ordinance. Several board appointments were made.

• Approved resolution amending Quad-County Industrial Park Master Agreement to add property
• Approved Resolution of Recognition for Dr. Marcella Shaw
• First reading of ordinance for scheduling events on county-owned property
• First reading of ordinance to amend Permanent Rules of Procedure for County Council
• First reading of proposed amendment to Animal Shelter Ordinance No. 2010-08-262
• Appointed Elizabeth Zorn to Animal Shelter Board (District #1)
• Reappointed Albert Pressley and Retha Corley to Axis 1 Board
• Appointed Edwin Felton Jr. to Generations Unlimited Board (District #2)

County Council

The Barnwell County Council met in executive session on June 14, 2022, to receive legal advice regarding the Hospital Pension Fund. No action was taken during the session, and the meeting adjourned without any substantive decisions.

• Approved meeting agenda (motion carried)
• Entered executive session for legal advice on Hospital Pension Fund (motion carried)
• No action taken in executive session
• Adjourned meeting at 5:39 p.m. (motion carried)

County Council

Barnwell County Council approved third and final readings of fee-in-lieu-of-taxes ordinances for Koch & Co., TIVA Building Products, and Monmouth Rubber, plus an amendment to the multi-county industrial park agreement. The council also accepted the second reading of the FY 22-23 budget, approved a $1.49 million package for sheriff's department acquisitions, and authorized several administrative actions including a letter to the governor about the DOE settlement.

• Approved third reading of Koch & Co. fee agreement and industrial park amendment
• Approved third reading of TIVA Building Products fee agreement and industrial park amendment
• Approved third reading of Monmouth Rubber special source revenue credit agreement
• Approved third reading of ordinance amending multi-county industrial park agreement (remove Allendale property)
• Accepted second reading of FY 22-23 budget
• Approved $1,177,458 from fund balance plus $267,000 capital outlay and $50,000 sheriff funds for security measures
• Approved motion to send letter to Governor about DOE settlement
• Approved Keep America Beautiful application and letter of support

County Council

Barnwell County Council met in executive session on May 10, 2022, and took two substantive actions afterward. They approved moving $200,000 from the Sheriff's personnel line item to operations, and accepted a bid for security upgrades at the Detention Center. No action was taken during the executive session itself.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Moved $200,000 from Sheriff's personnel to operations line item (motion carried)
• Accepted bid for security upgrades at Detention Center (motion carried)

County Council

The council approved the third and final reading of the ordinance establishing rules for Barnwell County Memorial Cemetery, renewed the disaster debris management contract with Tetra Tech, and approved a Trap-Neuter-Release program for cats with Best Friends Animal Society (5-3). It also approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Barnwell for municipal court clerk services, an easement for high-speed internet equipment, and acquisitions for the Sheriff's Office and Detention Center.

• Approved ordinance establishing rules for Barnwell County Memorial Cemetery (unanimous)
• Approved contract renewal and rate change for disaster debris management with Tetra Tech (unanimous)
• Approved Trap-Neuter-Release agreement with Best Friends Animal Society (5-3)
• Approved intergovernmental agreement with City of Barnwell for municipal court clerk services (unanimous)
• Approved Aiken Electric Cooperative easement for high-speed internet equipment (unanimous)
• Approved acquisition of transport van for Detention Center and structure for impounded vehicles (unanimous)
• Approved resolution designating May 2022 as Military Appreciation Month (unanimous)
• Approved personnel adjustments for Solid Waste Department (unanimous)

County Council

There is no agenda available for this meeting. The record indicates that users should review the meeting minutes instead.

The council met in executive session to discuss hiring, legal advice, and pension contract matters, but took no formal action. The meeting was procedural, with only agenda approval and adjournment votes.

• Approved agenda (motion by Houston, second by Harper)
• Entered executive session for hiring, legal advice, and pension contract discussions
• Adjourned (motion by Alexander, second by Houston)

County Council

This meeting has no published agenda. The only available information is the meeting minutes, which are not included in this document. No decisions or discussions are listed for this session.

• No agenda items listed

Barnwell County Council approved second readings of ordinances moving the county into the Quad-County Industrial Park, including a fee agreement with Koch & Co. and a special source revenue credit for Project Mammoth. The council also approved the ARPA Ad Hoc Committee's funding recommendations, a Trap-Neuter-Release program for cats, and a contract amendment for pickleball courts. A request to renew a debris management contract was tabled until May.

• Approved second reading of Quad-County Industrial Park ordinance (motion carried)
• Approved second reading of Koch & Co. fee-in-lieu-of-taxes ordinance (motion carried)
• Approved second reading of Project Mammoth special source revenue credit ordinance (motion carried)
• Approved second reading of cemetery rules ordinance (motion carried)
• Approved ARPA Ad Hoc Committee funding recommendations (motion carried)
• Approved Trap-Neuter-Release program and MOU (motion carried)
• Approved amending GENCO contract for pickleball courts (motion carried)
• Tabled Tetra Tech debris management contract renewal until May

County Council

This meeting has no published agenda. The only item listed is a note that no agenda is available, directing readers to review the minutes. As such, there are no decisions or discussions to report.

The Barnwell County Council met in executive session on March 23, 2022, and took no action during the closed session. After reconvening, the council voted to direct Administrator Tim Bennett to continue the investigation into Generations Unlimited. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Moved into executive session for legal advice on personnel and contractual matters (unanimous)
• Directed Administrator Bennett to continue Generations Unlimited investigation (unanimous)

County Council

There is no agenda available for the Barnwell County Council meeting on March 23, 2022. The record indicates that there are no items scheduled for discussion or decision.

Council approved building pickleball courts and repaving the YMCA parking lot, seeking reimbursement from the Barnwell County Economic Development Fund, with American Rescue Plan funds as a fallback. They also approved a $25,000 transfer to Generations Unlimited, reappointed Councilman Harper to the SCA Board, and accepted the 2020/2021 audit with a clean opinion.

• Approved $25,000 transfer from General Fund to Generations Unlimited
• Approved resolution designating April 2022 as Fair Housing Month
• Reappointed Councilman Don Harper to SCA Board
• Accepted 2020/2021 audit with clean opinion
• Approved building pickleball courts and repaving YMCA parking lot, seeking EDC reimbursement with ARPA fallback (unanimous)

County Council

This meeting has no published agenda. The agenda text states only that no agenda is available and directs readers to review the minutes. No decisions or discussions are listed.

The Barnwell County Council met in executive session on March 8, 2022, to receive legal advice on personnel matters and discuss economic development. No action was taken during the session, and the minutes record no substantive decisions.

• Motion to enter executive session for legal advice on personnel and economic development discussion carried

County Council

There is no agenda provided for this meeting. The record indicates that no items were scheduled for discussion or decision.

The council approved a resolution to borrow $100,000 for three Sheriff's Office vehicles, approved multiple economic development fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreements and industrial park amendments, and moved forward with a declaratory judgment to declare a portion of Main Street a county road. It also approved personnel changes, including combining five Building and Grounds positions into four and raising heavy equipment operator salaries using CTC funds. The council extended the state of emergency ordinance for 60 days to allow remote meetings.

• Approved $100,000 loan for three Sheriff's Office vehicles (motion carried)
• Approved second reading of Quad-County Industrial Park amendment (motion carried)
• Approved second reading of Project Decked Out fee agreement (motion carried)
• Approved Inducement Resolution for Project Kansas (motion carried)
• Approved first reading of Project Kansas fee agreement ordinance (motion carried)
• Approved first reading of Quad-County Industrial Park amendment for Project Kansas (motion carried)
• Approved Special Source Revenue Credit Agreement for Project Mammoth (motion carried)
• Approved filing declaratory judgment to declare Main Street (Jackson to Jefferson) a county road (motion carried)

County Council

There is no agenda provided for this meeting. The record indicates that no items were scheduled for discussion or decision.

The Barnwell County Council voted unanimously to rescind the appointments of the Generations Unlimited Board of Directors and assume governance of the agency, with letters to be delivered by the Administrator. The Council also voted unanimously to terminate the employment of Lisa Firmender, effective immediately, citing irreconcilable differences. Both actions were taken after an executive session on personnel matters, and no other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved the meeting agenda unanimously.
• Entered executive session for personnel discussion; no action taken afterward.
• Rescinded the Generations Unlimited Board appointments; Council assumed governance.
• Terminated Lisa Firmender's employment with Generations Unlimited effective immediately.
• Authorized the County Administrator to explore nearby properties for landfill expansion, including appraisal and timber cruise.

County Council

The official record indicates that no agenda is available for this specific meeting. Residents are directed to review the meeting minutes to see what was discussed or decided.

Council voted to withhold $200,000 in Steel Creek Boat Landing funds until property ownership is determined, unless Allendale County provides written financial support. They also approved supporting Lake Edgar Brown cleanup contingent on a letter from the City of Barnwell, retroactively approved a $173,000 pool support building bid, and approved a motor grader engine replacement.

• Amended motion carried: no spending of $200,000 Steel Creek funds until ownership clarity or written Allendale County support
• Motion carried: support Lake Edgar Brown cleanup if City of Barnwell sends letter of support
• Retroactively approved $173,000 bid to Genco for pool support building
• Approved $40,261.06 for motor grader engine replacement
• Approved inducement resolution for Project 'Decked Out' fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement
• Reappointed Mitchell R. Sweat to Building Code Appeals Board
• Approved hospital pension trust recommendations for actuarial calculations
• First reading of ordinances for Quad-County Industrial Park amendment and Project 'Decked Out' fee agreement

County Council

This meeting has no published agenda. The only item listed is 'No Agenda,' directing readers to review the minutes for any actions taken.

The council approved a COVID-19 employee leave policy providing 10 days of paid leave retroactive to January 1, 2022, through June 30, 2022, with eligibility criteria including positive tests, supervisor-ordered isolation, physician orders, and care for family members. The definition of 'immediate family member' was amended to include anyone residing in the household. The council also held an executive session on a personnel matter and referred it to the county attorney for later advice.

• Approved COVID-19 employee leave policy (10 days, retroactive to Jan 1, 2022, through Jun 30, 2022) (unanimous)
• Amended policy to define 'immediate family member' as including household residents
• Referred personnel matter from executive session to county attorney for recommendation

County Council

This meeting has no published agenda. The only item listed is 'No Agenda,' directing readers to review the minutes. No decisions or discussions are scheduled for public review.

The Barnwell County Council met in executive session on January 11, 2022, to discuss information on three economic development projects: 'Mammoth', 'Decked Out', and 'Kansas'. The agenda was amended to add two of these projects before the session. No formal action was taken during the executive session, and the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

• Amended agenda to add economic development projects 'Decked Out' and 'Kansas' to executive session (motion carried)
• Approved amended agenda (motion carried)
• Moved into executive session to discuss projects 'Mammoth', 'Decked Out', and 'Kansas' (motion carried)
• No action taken in executive session

County Council

This meeting has no published agenda. The agenda text states that no agenda is available and directs readers to review the minutes. As a result, there are no specific items to report for this session.

The council approved an emergency ordinance enabling electronic meetings and encouraging mask-wearing for 60 days. It also retroactively approved a resolution recognizing Joe Gaines, an intergovernmental agreement with DOE for tax year 2021, and a resolution accepting a $1,000,000 partial PILT payment. A request to redirect $50,000 in DEE funds to a USDA grant was referred to the Finance Committee.

• Approved emergency ordinance for electronic meetings and mask encouragement (unanimous)
• Retroactively approved resolution recognizing Joe Gaines (unanimous)
• Retroactively approved DOE intergovernmental agreement for tax year 2021 (unanimous)
• Retroactively approved resolution accepting $1,000,000 partial PILT payment from DOE (unanimous)
• Referred DEE fund redirection request to Finance Committee
• Approved resolution for SRO grant equipment purchases (unanimous)