[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6566297,"mediaKeyId","3206707-376f68812d33bd034e3468513a863772","parentId",3206707,"title","Council approves industrial‑park extension, budget and a slate of resolutions","audioSeconds",406,"startMs",2889000,"endMs",3295000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3206707-376f68812d33bd034e3468513a863772&start=2889&end=3295","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3206707-376f68812d33bd034e3468513a863772/thumbnail_2889000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6566297/Colleton-County/South-Carolina/Council-approves-industrialpark-extension-budget-and-a-slate-of-resolutions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566297-0e21531fc27d1bc6d784fe7713ac9480/orig.mp4?Expires=1770994355&Signature=ZxkHMLphV4Z2wdW6fx0AlylFaRuX0Nrk6m8b4biBKwrukeAxN1tko7FFmxKKi3ZPEJ3U1qGugZ0r8hJmSaQB9k~1WJNL8zzvDLzgXQvevPVz7rIPzFVMpEqBep9zGfoyjgKnio7BXUVXhVIZhvkY-LojhhMYdA77kzGt1rZfsP4TpNAT0mJ6589udRy1AKNUMaFh57nSCWHW79S80x1rRtM0HA-098cOwGT5KctSEgYs8PkOFWP0lsV0VDenZA-Ufh9aJLRJSPDEeRp2oK9jCSkAvDPQoS-79WTh6v6uiUkda6uOXrNAdR84RIxyd7Uh3qgeAzBx6H1Y4qoYFmjRPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Colleton County","date","2025-05-07T12:58:11Z","article","Colleton County Council conducted a series of votes on May 6, approving an ordinance to amend and extend the Joint County Industrial Park agreement with Hampton County; advancing the county tax levy ordinance on second reading for fiscal year 2025–26; and passing several resolutions to accept grants, amend the order of business, name an intersection in memory of a child killed in a crash, endorse a Community Development Block Grant application and authorize purchases and appointments.

Key outcomes recorded at the meeting:

- Ordinance 25‑03‑003: Motion to amend and extend the term of the joint‑county industrial park agreement between Colleton County and Hampton County was moved, seconded and recorded as passed.

- Second reading, Ordinance 25‑00‑005: Second reading to set the county tax levy and appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, was moved, seconded and recorded as carried.

- Resolution 25‑R‑26: Authorized acceptance and budgeting of various grants for fiscal year 2025–26; motion moved and carried.

- Resolution 25‑R‑28: Amended the county agenda/order of business; motion moved and carried unanimously.

- Resolution 25‑R‑29: Designated the intersection of Highway 15 and Pleasant Grove Road as the Emma McKenzie Lake Intersection to honor the late Emma McKenzie Lake; motion moved and carried.

- Resolution 25‑R‑30: Endorsed the county’s 2025 Community Development Block Grant community enhancement application for a well or well upgrade and authorized a 10% local match from the city of Walterboro; motion moved and carried.

- Resolution 25‑R‑31: Approved purchase of a Waldo particular haul truck for solid‑waste and C&D landfill operations; motion moved and carried.

- Resolution 25‑R‑32: Appointed John Gibbons to the County Resource and Development Board; motion moved and carried.

Council also moved several procedural items into executive session later in the meeting (contractual, real estate and an economic development update) and announced after the closed session that there was no recorded vote to disclose beyond a motion to proceed with actions discussed in executive session.

The meeting minutes recorded motions and unanimous or near‑unanimous voice votes for the items listed above; roll‑call tallies were not provided in the transcript for each motion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Colleton County Council Meeting May 6th, 2025 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","At its May 6 meeting Colleton County Council approved an ordinance extending the Joint County Industrial Park agreement with Hampton County, advanced the fiscal‑year 2025–26 tax levy on second reading, and passed multiple resolutions including grant acceptance, a roadway naming and a CDBG endorsement.","taxTitle","Colleton County, South Carolina","taxId",71096,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6566302,"Residents urge county to repair ditches, lower speed limits after repeated crashes",455,3393000,3848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3206707-376f68812d33bd034e3468513a863772&start=3393&end=3848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3206707-376f68812d33bd034e3468513a863772/thumbnail_3393000.jpg","/articles/6566302/Colleton-County/South-Carolina/Residents-urge-county-to-repair-ditches-lower-speed-limits-after-repeated-crashes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566302-6ab6a2101f382c34c6a3c10331c0f608/orig.mp4?Expires=1770994355&Signature=ShgidcnMvg~8Cquj80QAZ6khiob07lCZ4tQPguygYGg18FA6DNw7RyxUFBpkjJmuv30aAZV5cXNHiSueTinqKpH8KOFKKGwdSPxR-GZRLbwZ~fZQpadXSdwJIkJnyXI9wZ~2ufpQd0hSpFk7IJimdIgzn9L5uM7cbQjkbJQv7mmzRkkyAuNeObhOVvN-iannja0DKOGWcNspv9gNWOiZDyrlq7pANJLWLzkoZwnT8OiBL37y2Ou2yB-kcn7Jy6iB3PJLU1mJY3Uc201vIUfOTNEUDonzGbj4V7PIt4otcWRwkC4TDbsyeWr7rNEWdvfGQwpJPGT37BKgkpOoF6EJ2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents used the May 6 public‑comment period to ask Colleton County officials to address drainage, roadside ditches and speeding in residential areas.

Felicia Johnson (identified in the meeting as a speaker during public comment) described a location where the posted speed limit remains 45 mph in what she called a residential area. She said motorists frequently ignore stop signs and that the ditch at the intersection often fills with water; she described a prior incident when a vehicle entered the ditch and a family member nearly drowned. Johnson said the conditions are worse in warmer weather and as children return from school.

Jacqueline Jenkins described persistent yard flooding and indoor mold that she said resulted from a clogged or uncleaned ditch behind her property. Jenkins said county records and maps she had reviewed did not show a clear easement on her property and that she had been told different agencies (state, town, county) had varying responsibilities. Jenkins said the standing water and mosquitoes created health concerns and that multiple attempts to get ditches cleared had not permanently resolved the problem.

Council members acknowledged the public comments and the safety concerns raised ahead of hurricane season. No county action or vote to change speed limits or to schedule ditch repairs was recorded during the meeting; residents asked county staff to follow up.

The comments highlighted two recurring operational issues for the county: coordinating responsibility among state, municipal and county agencies for roadside ditches and clarifying the process to request ditch cleaning and drainage repair. Members of the public said the issues were causing property damage, safety hazards and health complaints. The council did not set a formal timeline for response during the May 6 meeting.","During public comment, residents described repeated crashes, flooding and mold caused by unmaintained ditches and asked the council to lower a 45 mph speed limit in a residential area; council acknowledged concerns but no action was taken at the meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6566306,"Council discusses Bailey bill implementation, 227 N. Memorial historic‑preservation assessment",642,2132000,2774000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3206707-376f68812d33bd034e3468513a863772&start=2132&end=2774","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3206707-376f68812d33bd034e3468513a863772/thumbnail_2132000.jpg","/articles/6566306/Colleton-County/South-Carolina/Council-discusses-Bailey-bill-implementation-227-N-Memorial-historicpreservation-assessment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566306-fa28736b40b73ba258956eeadadce03b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770994355&Signature=kj7gV4Je4kRZ4TXq3aszp6yaQnIMAAzhvB76IV2mSGlBlhAr3iWX48ZBg5jxDHnCwwjFuhZrtJAIPAvF0L4HcvZYRlsk8xhKTX2tBEaVFrKJiVX2m3QlHAUwJVZLJKuFxPAIihlFkntpp35oc8CWZPxGvmHR9DC-sedXX1fZDNctb9kTVIIxfGpX3n~j1BrhVoDoO6~kflYhm2bw6DqrRCGZpISCU7pYu8VDhtzywl4LPWC1Lber~VLQ3N~icRKw4xW6uIgqnGOCbQx3IdXQHtmwQNt2dsDE-qU4uSNzOIrPMVqnt6f9Xed2cnvdbBaILDm9PFVskpNXimRWdnIWQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council discussion on May 6 centered on how Colleton County should implement the so‑called Bailey bill historic‑preservation assessment process and on a pending project at 227 North Memorial in Walterboro.

A council member said the draft ordinance contains references that appear to apply to municipalities (Title 5) rather than counties (Title 4) and questioned whether the county must establish its own historic preservation commission to administer assessments. The member noted the county’s authority is codified under Title 4 and referenced Section 4‑9‑195 in the state code as part of the inquiry. The council member requested legal review and clarifications before third reading and suggested the county may need a separate committee or an agreed process to defer to city determinations.

Applicant Scott Lockwood, who identified himself as the project applicant for 227 North Memorial, told the council the building was formerly Dr. Ackerman’s office (built circa 1910) and is in Walterboro’s historic district. Lockwood said the city’s historic preservation committee and the Walterboro City Council had already approved the project; he said the planned rehabilitation would involve investment “about 6 to 7 times the purchase price” and that the project exceeds the Bailey bill’s 50% minimum improvement threshold. He said the planned expenditures are roughly $354,000.

Council members and residents discussed practical questions that remain to be resolved by county staff and counsel: which statutory sections should be cited in the county ordinance, whether the county can or should defer to the city’s historic preservation committee for determinations that fall within the municipal historic district, which entity performs building inspections and expenditure verifications, and what the county application form and workflow should look like when a developer applies for the assessment freeze.

No final county decision or vote on a county historic preservation commission was recorded at the meeting; a council member said staff would seek clarifications and likely discuss details in a later session before third reading. The council also indicated it may place related items on a partial executive-session agenda and continue working with legal counsel to make statutory references consistent with county authority.","Council members debated whether county action under the Bailey bill requires a separate county historic preservation commission or can defer to the city's committee; applicant Scott Lockwood described a proposed rehabilitation of 227 North Memorial and said the project exceeds the 50% improvement threshold.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6566312,"Emergency official warns FEMA public‑assistance thresholds may rise before hurricane season",240,1715000,1955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3206707-376f68812d33bd034e3468513a863772&start=1715&end=1955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3206707-376f68812d33bd034e3468513a863772/thumbnail_1715000.jpg","/articles/6566312/Colleton-County/South-Carolina/Emergency-official-warns-FEMA-publicassistance-thresholds-may-rise-before-hurricane-season","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566312-60f72d004cdfae135b0f3b90d988f14d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770994355&Signature=Hc7l7TsRBH8pgDRi9ofTED0Jb5g1Z9qa~UQGGnjBh23xVQH73B5D97VlomSr6YdW-hQgabTHqFhVVMt8c68IUCWHxKW0XbLs2VRY-2w5sf-IncibZ-s~3AwK1av6FKHQ0O8T-mJN2PNn2NRoqU~f-pxqSxk16pa5asxqHv~9tMp~PzvWgumy8fk-qmuDML6JVp7U6BmSlQCuEQbWauUpSfsPfgIYi7S9jGkk0Xh1-gwuuKV~sLWnQOM6mWP8LgXYdMvQQKMozGtSapXBJWM5S2xpxu89F8S7fNIlujQlRiu0UPVJYc~GZDjs~ZEy8Ql6BK5hWpjEtppNauKYG1w5gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","David Green, introduced to the council as the speaker on FEMA changes, told Colleton County Council on May 6 that FEMA is considering raising the threshold to qualify for public assistance reimbursements and reviewed limits to individual assistance for residents.

Green said FEMA is proposing to increase the qualifying threshold for public assistance — the reimbursement program for local government emergency response costs — by a factor of four. Using current local figures he cited, that would raise Colleton County’s threshold from roughly $182,000 to approximately $728,000; the state threshold he cited would increase from about $9.6 million to about $38 million. Green cautioned those numbers were not yet final and said FEMA plans an advisory committee that may issue formal guidance soon.

Green explained public assistance typically reimburses items such as sheltering, debris removal and overtime; he said overtime — not base salaries — is generally reimbursable. He also described individual assistance (IA) available to residents after a federal declaration. Green said IA awards are limited: this fiscal year the maximum individual assistance award is $42,500, and average IA awards commonly fall in the low thousands. He noted many registrants receive little or no IA and that Small Business Administration (SBA) loans were used during last season’s recovery.

“I wanted to remind everybody in the public that insurance remains the best line of defense against the loss in these storms,” Green said, noting IA is not intended to make homeowners whole.

Council members asked whether any changes are already in effect; Green replied nothing is official yet and that the FEMA advisory committee was expected to meet in the coming weeks. He urged continuing preparedness, reminded the council the county now uses three evacuation zones, and said county signage mostly survived the prior season. No formal county action was recorded at the meeting on FEMA policy changes.

Green closed by taking questions about reimbursement rules for overtime and sheltering and by reiterating the limited nature of individual assistance programs.","David Green briefed council on potential FEMA changes that could raise thresholds for public assistance reimbursements and explained limits of individual assistance grants and the role of SBA loans.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6566316,"South Carolina State University Extension outlines local programs, seeks larger Colleton County office",822,815000,1637000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3206707-376f68812d33bd034e3468513a863772&start=815&end=1637","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3206707-376f68812d33bd034e3468513a863772/thumbnail_815000.jpg","/articles/6566316/Colleton-County/South-Carolina/South-Carolina-State-University-Extension-outlines-local-programs-seeks-larger-Colleton-County-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566316-f21d616f6c8d026a93d4d9d34aee42d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770994355&Signature=R7m0FV4yPa-OhPwYMBs3ZWlCXvrFJHueOrSnX9DkN~JOJPbopKzVPRkM5zLfyCDsKoOtPz-VRZ80rmaxxveOK38xoXch81cYsr8bNJ-lUSYERJ7jiZb~6GNGwwH8rhFt~ndDAPlHMg4ZUozmhELOHDMcJ~tWCl30rBsNsbRDNK01-n69G5nIZ7NCe5Up8QIl47UyMrRPYUAJLBy3K3HWnSf~JqmtN-HRiDNIkaozsSOB7T0~bmglqn~zguYb8YTMMcprTz7bpXBcNmyv64wn-DGMXT6wKjcQ1GxJ22cjEOkHH-VQkAaw8rsJVnpUpnDNe1JersD~MzGnEFgVhmhpVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cornelius Hamilton, a representative of South Carolina State University Extension, outlined the office’s local programs and asked the Colleton County Council on May 6 to help the office find a larger facility in the county.

Hamilton said the extension office — based in Hampton and serving Colleton, Hampton, Allendale, Jasper and Beaufort counties — offers youth 4‑H programs, community economic development services, family nutrition and health classes, college-and-career readiness activities and sustainable agriculture assistance for small farmers. He said the office uses in-person, virtual and hybrid models to deliver programming and partners with schools, businesses and nonprofits.

Hamilton said the office runs spring-break day camps and weeklong residential camps, a homeschool 4‑H club that received tool donations from Tractor Supply for a gardening project, cooking-demonstration courses that require attendees to complete at least six of eight sessions, and career workshops and internships aimed at first‑generation college-goers.

Hamilton described the local economic impact of the extension’s work: about 80% of extension staff live locally and program supplies, catering and vehicle maintenance are purchased in the region. He said the office currently has seven staff members and is hiring; he gave a target starting salary of roughly $50,000 for new full‑time hires.

Hamilton said the office is seeking a larger, approximately 5,000‑square‑foot facility in Colleton County to expand programming and staff. “My goal is to have a facility that will offer office space as well as room to conduct some of my services outside of the building,” Hamilton said.

A council member asked how many people are currently on staff; Hamilton replied the office has seven employees and said he hoped to complete the expansion by the end of the year. Council members and presenters discussed how the county could help the extension identify suitable space and potential partnerships.

The presentation closed with a request that the council consider assisting with relocation options and continued collaboration on program delivery and youth outreach.

A county council contact or staff member would be the next step for Hamilton’s relocation request; no formal county action on relocation was recorded at the May 6 meeting.","Cornelius Hamilton of South Carolina State University Extension described 4‑H programs, nutrition and agriculture training, local economic impact and plans to relocate the office to a larger Colleton County facility to expand services and staff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves industrial‑park extension, budget and a slate of resolutions

Residents urge county to repair ditches, lower speed limits after repeated crashes

Council discusses Bailey bill implementation, 227 N. Memorial historic‑preservation assessment

Emergency official warns FEMA public‑assistance thresholds may rise before hurricane season

South Carolina State University Extension outlines local programs, seeks larger Colleton County office