City of Walterboro

The meeting included several commendations, specifically for Greg Pryor for eight years of service and Bill Young for thirty-six and a half years of service on City Council. Various requests were considered and approved, including a request from B.I.R.T.H. to hold their annual "Celebration of Life" walk, requests to close East Washington Street for First Thursday events on specified dates, and a request from the Colleton County Rice Festival Committee for activities in April 2026. Committee reports covered updates from the City Improvement Committee regarding the Code Enforcement Program case closures, the Walterboro -- Colleton County Airport Commission detailing runway rehabilitation and airport improvements, the Budget Committee's status on the 2026-2027 budget preparation, and updates from Keep Walterboro Beautiful and the Main Street Steering Committee regarding community initiatives. The City Manager reported on the upcoming Annual City Council Planning Retreat. The Council convened in Executive Session to discuss Receipt of Legal Advice concerning a Business License matter and a Personnel Matter regarding the Finance Director Search.

The meeting included two public hearings concerning ordinances. The first was for the second and final reading of an ordinance to amend the FY 2025-2026 City of Walterboro budget to add an additional position to the Police Department. The second public hearing was for the second and final reading of an ordinance to amend the zoning map for a parcel at the intersection of Carn Street and Carter Street, changing its classification from Single-Family Residential (SFR) to Neighborhood Commercial District (NCD) to allow for development, potentially a duplex. Key actions in Old Business involved the final passage of both ordinances. New Business included the nomination and election of Councilmember Paul Siegel as Mayor Pro Tem, internal appointments to the Walterboro-Colleton Airport Commission, Keep Walterboro Beautiful Board, and Lowcountry Council of Governments Board of Directors, and the formal naming of the park at 419 Hampton Street as "Bill Young Park." Following an Executive Session to discuss a Personnel Matter (City Prosecutor) and a Real Estate Matter (Conveyance of property), the Council reconvened to appoint JJ Evans as City Prosecutor for a term expiring June 30, 2026.

The council discussed rescheduling the November regular meeting due to the city election. They considered and approved a request for a temporary road closure for First Thursday to support FestiVELO. The council also reviewed and approved Supplement No. 5 from Willdan Financial Services for a Water & Wastewater Financial & Capital Planning Update. An engagement letter from Pope Flynn for a waterworks and sewer system revenue bond was approved. Bids for the Lower & Middle Ireland Creek Sewer Trunk Line Improvement Project were considered, and a contract was awarded to Moorhead Construction Inc. Additionally, bids were reviewed for the purchase of a new Pumper Truck for the Fire Department, with a recommendation to purchase from Safe Industries. The council then moved into an executive session to discuss matters related to business development, legal advice, and a personnel matter regarding the Finance Director search.

The meeting focused on a resolution authorizing the City of Walterboro to act as the sponsor for three grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration for the benefit of the Lowcountry Regional Airport. The grants include funds for runway and taxiway projects, with the FAA covering a significant portion and the local share split between State Aeronautics and local funds. The council discussed the grant amounts, the matching portion, and the allocation of funds for the airport project.

The meeting included a public hearing for Ordinance #2025-11 regarding the local option sales tax credit factor. Presentations were given for the Main Street South Carolina Inspiration Award and the Municipal Achievement Award. The council considered a request from First Baptist Church to use the grassy field for FestiVELO and requests from the Walterboro Rotary Club for the 11th Annual Ireland Creek Bridge Run. Task Order #25 for water system improvements was also discussed. The council entered an executive session to discuss various matters, including the Main Street South Carolina Grant Opportunity, the Lower and Middle Ireland Creek Sewer Trunk Line Improvement Project, business license revenue enhancement, and personnel matters. Juanita Harvey and David Cobb were appointed to the Municipal Election Commission.