[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6605667,"mediaKeyId","2985100-f10880308e78fd595a6e181bfb3a6193","parentId",2985100,"title","City administrator gives FY26 budget update; $1.4M general-fund gap remains, staff proposes fees and millage options","audioSeconds",1434,"startMs",1726000,"endMs",3160000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985100-f10880308e78fd595a6e181bfb3a6193&start=1726&end=3160","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985100-f10880308e78fd595a6e181bfb3a6193/thumbnail_1726000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6605667/South-Carolina/City-administrator-gives-FY26-budget-update-14M-general-fund-gap-remains-staff-proposes-fees-and-millage-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605667-c78a0740f7e7eff2fa346e93f62663b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775725129&Signature=e3HPMrWjsMxhH6qBjrIuFJteMg4s6nUUuV2E20WNDDEDB7nqUkoSa8~nXy7r012735vp~VFjAilDc1KPyolMSQdwM7rcG05pflGTYTi1w-gmvezgWAVAT5slYG5~YcmCQ5PskEHu50vpZjnfqGZNmNShQCmcW5Ry6PbswQsat-Jse66hXh2QgEKwG7b59g5rYhG41mIu0DdGRXRIw-kFglIXDzwAUFuPrfC50JZIFkzvTUaREUsVnHwCw6DAPkuLbFYtNS-vrdU1qe89-OO5FqlJsVM5HsNoQrZ7fphA5uZCJVdxse5CkiauwNTyn9iH5Jz~zr8MoPy~AteVxFsCYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Easley","date","2025-04-14T21:59:18.46Z","article","Easly City administrator provided a status update April 14 on the FY26 operating budget, describing the document as a working draft that is not yet balanced.

Administrator Couch said the city started the budget process with roughly a $7.5 million general-fund gap and reduced it to about $1.4 million through expenditure adjustments and savings. The draft includes a proposed 3% cost-of-living increase (COLA) for employees and lists 13 requested new positions; the administrator said six positions requested by the fire department were reduced to six in the draft and the budget includes an events coordinator, additional patrol and traffic officers, a city planner and a building inspector.

Couch said health-insurance increases were negotiated down from an expected 22% to about 14%, yielding a significant savings. Retirement contribution assumptions were unchanged. Staff said they plan to ask for the first reading of the budget at the May meeting and a second reading in June.

On revenue and fees, staff proposed modest increases across several fees: grass-cart service from $35 toward $45 (to avoid subsidizing the service), roll-cart fees from $60 to $65 (with higher tiers for multiple carts), updates to business-license and building fees based on regional comparisons, and nuisance abatement fees to recover city costs when staff files liens. Impact fees will continue to be designated for parks and recreation, police, and transportation categories; staff said impact fees already designated for parks would be combined with a planned drawdown of hospitality-fund balance.

Couch described capital requests of about $1.4 million in the draft capital plan including a new police vehicle fleet, body cameras, Flock cameras, public-works vehicles and 800 additional roll carts. The largest capital items discussed include a new garbage sideloader truck, replacement/repair of a spare rear-end loader, and fire-station related expenses: $110,000 for a concrete pad and $3.5 million listed as a grant figure for a new station (staff said federal grant action is pending and the money is not in hand).

On taxes, the draft includes an assumed 3-mill property tax increase in one scenario; staff said each mill currently generates an estimated $130,000 and suggested a 3-mill increase would reduce the gap further. The official maximum millage that can be applied will be determined when state revenue and fiscal data and population figures arrive in May; staff estimated (informally) a potential statutory maximum in the 12–14 mills range but said they would confirm with state revenue and fiscal affairs.

Couch said the hospitality fund has a balance the city intends to use in part for parks expansion, including soccer-field expansion and parking; staff proposed using $5,000,000 from the hospitality fund together with parks-designated impact fees to complete projects in phases. Couch said some capital items might be financed to spread payments across years or paid from fund balance depending on council decisions.

Council members discussed workforce retention and turnover in public safety and the need for pay adjustments. Council asked about possible millage increases; council members expressed differing views and said public input would be required for significant millage changes. The administrator said a final balanced budget will be presented in subsequent readings and no formal budget vote was held during the April 14 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Work Session 4/14/25","oneSentenceSummary","Easly City administrator presented a working draft FY26 operating budget April 14, reporting a narrowed general-fund shortfall and proposing a mix of fee adjustments, personnel additions and capital requests to close the gap.","taxTitle","Easly City, Pickens, South Carolina","taxId",57021,"location","South Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6605684,"Council reviews second reading to rezone 738 East Main from residential to neighborhood commercial",696,13000,709000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985100-f10880308e78fd595a6e181bfb3a6193&start=13&end=709","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985100-f10880308e78fd595a6e181bfb3a6193/thumbnail_13000.jpg","/articles/6605684/South-Carolina/Council-reviews-second-reading-to-rezone-738-East-Main-from-residential-to-neighborhood-commercial","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605684-ea35c9880f14cae7c44dd177b3dda21f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775725129&Signature=W0G1kBzNiWBgM8mdRjEcSCaRwZRCXLq77letUpJwAp3WiKURo2MBQ-XPYk92BtUwdZuA5vR6KbYkXyW2DKCgBf2A963-0aTcdzyb4T2P31GNhgguQzkc5iYE-lKCVvfdhwO3NCE0SG8VMuYiYTHb6hDhS6yE2qz7K-Ckoh5ExAhSjC3Dh-CAcaj~03yL2Dmg4viZL7roNHEmJvu3h-LfCK99XuOAnF~K4lk7EO9FguKUZSyL50F~pRlOgPiaJoTYh9zXiI9tTx9V7I~jAQgCfm51yuuPuqSpsmghGkFfrvElYkjSlPusAtp~7qm0XHMxJbDLVKAaSAawqp31mIENQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Easly City held a second-reading discussion April 14 of Ordinance 202502 to rezone about 0.815 acres at 738 East Main Street (at the intersection of South D Street and East Main) from residential (R7.5) to neighborhood commercial.

The applicant, Daniel Hilliard, answered council questions at the podium and said neighborhood commercial is what he wants for the property. \"The neighborhood commercial is exactly what I want,\" Hilliard said.

Council members and other attendees pressed Hilliard on the practical difference between neighborhood commercial and office/institutional zoning. One council member referenced the planning commission minutes to summarize earlier public comment that Hilliard had said he wanted to \"utilize the parcel to its full potential.\" That prompted back-and-forth about whether a more restrictive office/institutional (OI) zoning would better protect the building from being torn down or reused for retail uses such as a convenience store.

Council members noted that OI is a restrictive commercial zone allowing uses such as professional and medical offices, banks, beauty shops and day cares, and suggested it might better match Hilliard’s stated preference for small professional uses. Hilliard said he preferred neighborhood commercial to allow some flexibility for potential buyers and uses. One council member warned that once sold, the seller generally cannot control what later buyers choose to do with the structure.

Speakers discussed the tension between preserving an older house on the parcel and market pressures. Council members and Hilliard said whether the structure would be kept or torn down would likely depend on future buyers, building condition and market economics.

The transcript records the item as being on second reading; the meeting record does not include a clear, attributable final vote in the transcript excerpt provided.","Easly City held a second-reading discussion April 14 of Ordinance 202502 to rezone about 0.815 acres at 738 East Main Street from residential (R7.5) to neighborhood commercial.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6605671,"Council hears resolutions to reappoint associate and assistant municipal judges; no final vote recorded in excerpt",107,1569000,1676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985100-f10880308e78fd595a6e181bfb3a6193&start=1569&end=1676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985100-f10880308e78fd595a6e181bfb3a6193/thumbnail_1569000.jpg","/articles/6605671/South-Carolina/Council-hears-resolutions-to-reappoint-associate-and-assistant-municipal-judges-no-final-vote-recorded-in-excerpt","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605671-711239fb76c01d2063492c56f0584ae7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775725129&Signature=Qh~7KZnjv6jRZeJySTBJHLHbQ0eJsaYgabohSDC3SyVX6lNVkIdqGLELcXHqGKx8xMLVTV5RwNvqnG0tB790E0-3ACUEoqzY9oKfu92Da3uXPR43eIB~wF9pO7UZZdVny3bO-e6JvZRkj1jZQX3vnAOh5Xwf7zB5V4aWZCwqzrjjDvBmXL8IbMxMY4Wwo-XU0r-vmhhhHEdj08fxvRCbJusKJlN2uW5QljBT4vWu7RDYSvg-DM0N~qmRRCZNHL3Ahk-yNCXxne9LDs4L8m1wMQ~Ow~JHkgWiNB5jqIf8CsBPfeMSLrBe-I10GyfMlJQCr6rSn-clvoZL01NSRxIgpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Easly City council read two resolutions April 14 seeking reappointment of municipal court officers.

Resolution 202506 would reappoint James E. Sterling to a two-year term as associate municipal judge. Council members and staff praised Sterling’s experience; staff said Sterling has practiced law in the city for 10 years and served as associate judge for five years.

Resolution 202507 would reappoint Tina Galbreath to a two-year term as assistant municipal judge. Staff highlighted Galbreath’s more than 35 years of court experience, her municipal clerk of court duties, and her role as an assistant judge.

Both nominees were introduced (Judge Galbreath was present and asked to come forward). Councilmembers expressed strong support in committee remarks. The provided transcript excerpt does not include an explicit roll-call vote or final outcome for either resolution.","Easly City council read Resolutions 202506 and 202507 to reappoint James E. Sterling as associate municipal judge and Tina Galbreath as assistant municipal judge to two-year terms. Council members praised both nominees; transcript does not record a formal vote in the provided excerpt.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6605675,"Council holds first reading to rezone 213 Pelser Highway to office/institutional",128,1292000,1420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985100-f10880308e78fd595a6e181bfb3a6193&start=1292&end=1420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985100-f10880308e78fd595a6e181bfb3a6193/thumbnail_1292000.jpg","/articles/6605675/South-Carolina/Council-holds-first-reading-to-rezone-213-Pelser-Highway-to-officeinstitutional","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605675-8121af8b2e45f5203061c999ebced920/orig.mp4?Expires=1775725129&Signature=YOITwSlr2CZxkptDBqk3YtTL4VROj4IF08D8GHSZhAeL3S9YgvHZswE2MjYj0-ptoHzNwWXXJn2x4OKm32tVCBZzvXGF2gDrnj17BHwEP3fUU3R1p6k3LvCXOjkmXQouZWHybbiDcdEe0Ew7cZjXzmgYpSBPozgnUP4Q7h7aIchGlj-GGJfneoWinx3RZzspz-fwZUJZ12Ks88y3~8gCk5xURi3ktpP7w89VDEgnDkV9KUcSi0BS-eOCQcROmm9ga7jHUnE8PGSlOee8rFxliIAjjRd3wnjDZtv6UP7t8VvYeVFLWBsN2kh5DOVB~Xzg5qU6-rS5zwPoZr1TWCdcGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Easly City council conducted the first reading April 14 of Ordinance 202504 to rezone approximately 0.34 acres at 213 Pelser Highway from General Residential (GR2) to Office/Institutional (OI).

Staff presented a map showing the parcel in a corridor mixed with commercial uses (including a nearby Ingles store and other commercial properties). Council members said the OI designation appeared appropriate for the location and size of the parcel; one council member noted the proposed use for a small medical office would not create significant traffic.

An attorney in the chamber, Robert Robinson of a local law firm, clarified that his firm handled a prior closing when the property was bought by Dan Brecken (identified in the transcript as buyer/LLC) and stated he did not represent the buyer for the rezoning request and had no ongoing interest.

Council did not record a final vote in the excerpt provided; the item was listed as first reading.","Easly City council held first reading of Ordinance 202504 to rezone about 0.34 acres at 213 Pelser Highway from General Residential (GR2) to Office/Institutional (OI). Council members said the proposed zoning fits the surrounding mix of commercial and institutional uses; no final vote recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6605681,"Council advances first reading of redistricting map; second reading, public hearing set for May 12",567,714000,1281000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985100-f10880308e78fd595a6e181bfb3a6193&start=714&end=1281","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985100-f10880308e78fd595a6e181bfb3a6193/thumbnail_714000.jpg","/articles/6605681/South-Carolina/Council-advances-first-reading-of-redistricting-map-second-reading-public-hearing-set-for-May-12","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605681-9991444a68375013b5cf52f15574fe9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775725129&Signature=Xh~z5P9PtAICfFRQ8g9Oh3r2At-5DuffHZqExbiQwnm5-O1OeLdXJVjfXGhsna4MSW529C6nQYEqI9FZ500opG6CoRyr8fqiauqTZfeldPGNtihKG2KNjSNq6JcGZMVTvBdR2CRAGoS6LpgAOMi5belHr1mygsF~ULKfeLlJ52VapujJDWlrSaK8VQQEDMmZ6fblnSYRjh8OxKdRWDakpfDnd5DmQnITgtpK~1e3b4Iir01skW1-QKIC6OyRukwR05Y6z5r0J9Ths5fGXFqu1IRB~y71upl7PAacwpkTy8wNCa63RxlzkhbtCBSOE29ykfHZCiTCeVU763~xQBUl7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Easly City council held the first reading April 14 of Ordinance 202503 to redraw the city’s six single-member council districts based on the 2020 decennial census.

Tom (staff) presented a new map prepared with RFA Columbia and noted the proposed districts are more symmetrical and fall within a 5% population deviation. \"They're all within 5%. It's a lot cleaner,\" Tom said while showing the map.

Councilmembers discussed timing and the need to add areas annexed since 2020. Staff said the current map and its supporting numbers must be voted on as presented because it is based on 2020 data; the annexed properties will be added by the county GIS team prior to finalization. Staff said a public hearing and second reading will occur May 12, after which updated voter registration notices would go to affected residents in time for November ballots.

County staff representative Dr. Sams (referred to by council) told council that polling locations would not change as a result of the ward reassignment. Councilmembers asked whether the map affects only Easly City elections; staff confirmed it affects only the city’s wards.

City attorney and one council member urged prompt adoption to reduce legal risk. \"I would recommend that we go ahead and move forward with adopting the redistricting. So we make sure the city is not subject to a challenge from the voting rights standpoint,\" said one council member.

Council also discussed voter registration card label formatting (ward numbering) and the potential complexity for candidates who might find their residence moved into a different ward after election filing; staff said that is a possible drawback if the map is changed after an election has proceeded.

The transcript records the map as having passed first reading during the meeting; a May 12 hearing and second reading were scheduled.","Easly City council reviewed a redistricting map based on 2020 decennial census data and advanced Ordinance 202503 on first reading. Staff said annexed areas since 2020 will be added before the second reading and that polling locations are expected to remain unchanged, per county GIS staff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City administrator gives FY26 budget update; $1.4M general-fund gap remains, staff proposes fees and millage options

Council reviews second reading to rezone 738 East Main from residential to neighborhood commercial

Council hears resolutions to reappoint associate and assistant municipal judges; no final vote recorded in excerpt

Council holds first reading to rezone 213 Pelser Highway to office/institutional

Council advances first reading of redistricting map; second reading, public hearing set for May 12