Scott B. Suggs

The meeting commenced with a public hearing concerning Ordinance No. 25-26, an ordinance for the issuance and sale of a General Obligation Bond not exceeding $3,000,000 for County facilities repairs, renovations, expansions, and economic development land purchases. The main agenda items included personal appearances regarding a proclamation for American Red Cross Month and taxation of vehicles and vessels. The Consent Agenda covered informational items such as the February 2026 COG Newsletter, minutes from the Darlington County Humane Society Board and Library Board meetings, employee service milestones, and financial updates through January 31, 2026. Key legislative actions involved the third reading and consideration of Ordinance No. 25-26, which authorizes the $3,000,000 General Obligation Bond. Additional ordinances carried over for second reading related to accepting Buyout Program property ownership and purchasing real property for economic development. Resolutions included the formal proclamation for American Red Cross Month, a resolution for improving the Town of Lamar's Wastewater Treatment Plant, and a resolution recognizing a bank for four decades of service. The agenda also included discussion of appointments to various boards and committees, and a request for an executive session.

The agenda for this Darlington County Council Rescheduled Regular Meeting included introductory formalities, citizens' comments, and personal appearances. The large Consent Agenda involved receiving information on various reports and newsletters, including updates from the Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments, the Darlington County Humane Society, and the Airport Commission, as well as receiving the 911 Call Volume Annual Report and the February 2026 Parks, Recreation, & Tourism activities calendar. Key discussion points included the third reading of an Ordinance regarding a General Obligation Bond issuance (carrying over the request), second readings of ordinances concerning property buyout acceptance and economic development property purchase (both carrying over), and scheduling appointments to Boards/Commissions/Committees and the Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee. The agenda also covered the bid award for resurfacing multiple county parking lots and a vehicle loan agreement with Darlington Raceway for a Fire District engine.

The meeting commenced with a Public Hearing regarding Ordinance No. 25-25 concerning the authorization for the purchase of centrally located real property for economic development, scheduled for its Third Reading. Key agenda items included the Election of Officers for Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Chaplain. The council received various reports for information, such as minutes from the Alcohol and Drug Advisory Council (October 2025), updates on the Long Range Transportation Plan Survey, the COG Newsletter (December 2025), a financial update through November 2025, activity reports from Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, 911 call volume for November 2025, and Fire District Call Stats for December 2025. Discussions included the 2026 Meeting Schedule and potential appointments to Boards/Commissions/Committees. The council also addressed several ordinances, including Ordinance No. 25-25 for third reading, Ordinance No. 25-24 (economic development property purchase) for a second reading with a carry-over request, Ordinance No. 25-26 concerning a General Obligation Bond issuance, and Ordinance No. 25-20 regarding accepting property ownership through a buyout program, which also requested a carry-over. The session concluded with a planned Executive Session to discuss matters related to business location or expansion incentives.

The meeting included discussions and actions on several ordinances, including the purchase of property, amendments to a fee-in-lieu of ad valorem taxes agreement with Throwback Solar, LLC, and acceptance of property through the Buyout Program with the South Carolina Office of Resilience. Resolutions were considered to authorize the County Attorney to take actions to quiet title for Mineral Spring Park and to supplement the powers, duties, and function of the County Administrator. Other items included appointments to boards/commissions/committees, a request to purchase a Caterpillar 320 Excavator, a bid award for renovating Pine Ridge Fire Station 8, and the Darlington County Humane Society Animal Shelter Contract. An executive session was scheduled to discuss negotiations related to proposed contractual arrangements and property sales or purchases for economic development matters.

The Darlington County Council held a regular meeting to discuss several key items. These included a public hearing and third reading of Ordinance No. 25-19 regarding an amended fee agreement with Georgia-Pacific Consumer Operations LLC (Project Perseid), personal appearances, and a consent agenda covering various reports and notes. The council also addressed ordinances related to property ownership through the Buyout Program with the South Carolina Office of Resilience, enlargement of the Joint County Industrial Park with Marlboro County (Project Cloud), and the purchase of property at the intersection of East Lynches River Road and Newberry Road. Additionally, they considered a resolution congratulating The News & Press on its 150th anniversary, committee reports, appointments to boards/commissions/committees, and requests for purchasing thermal cameras, cell area lighting, compactors, and dispatch consoles.