[{"_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",6558172,"mediaKeyId","3275546-589cff0dac9188bc82182e6e158ebd78","parentId",3275546,"title","Residents urge council to fund Lake Watery algae cleanup as property values and recreation suffer","audioSeconds",114,"startMs",902000,"endMs",1016000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275546-589cff0dac9188bc82182e6e158ebd78&start=902&end=1016","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275546-589cff0dac9188bc82182e6e158ebd78/thumbnail_902000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6558172/Fairfield-County/South-Carolina/Residents-urge-council-to-fund-Lake-Watery-algae-cleanup-as-property-values-and-recreation-suffer","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558172-d01c20a94cf6eab1974e4332030c0d57/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206156&Signature=Wj95pkEHzFtSy0hiGIWXo7FIkYd8qaSL9j9Fxp3Iu3mR6VsBN3x6mRK5i5lu-m3jEj7LmY~HrphW2YOTnqTCRjW4oY6NTaHHYVjxzRMvu7P3nietJI75IQZCuhPoSkL1g8zwqWCAN~vVXV0rqx3u0hvA~QgsAtv7isjozMoy8wMCVtUwTHFweE7XCRbcQ8YD7TEZpVCXegRZOgZHc76s~~ezjsYc2y13d4i7JECv3kNLkIElRdhxR0ggidxwRvMCASyWzn-Dk4p1c1d1ARrX05aUAox-SdCt8fAM0bOJ0wPNwUhg7DvUQRJC4vdKPBY5Hza34eJld3WIp9waR2Hijw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fairfield County","date","2025-05-13T12:16:29Z","article","A resident of the Taylors Creek area of Lake Watery told Fairfield County Council during public comment that dense algal growth is damaging recreational use and home values on Lake Watery and asked the council to take the Lake Watery Association’s forthcoming funding request seriously.

Pamela Woodland, identifying herself as representing Taylors Creek in District 2, said she and neighbors removed algae from the lake and documented heavy blooms that she said are concentrated in Taylors Creek near the launch and are “very smelly.” Woodland said the algae interferes with dog-walking and swimming and cited Zillow listings to argue that asking prices — including a cited $800,000 listing — are unrealistic given the current condition of the shoreline and water. She asked the council to consider funding when the Lake Watery Association appears before the council with a budget request.

Woodland said event counts and visitation matter to the local economy but emphasized the negative effect algae has on property owners' quality of life and the marketability of lakeside homes. The council did not take action at the meeting; staff and council members acknowledged the concern and the resident's request that they review any formal funding request from the Lake Watery Association.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fairfield County Council Meeting 05-12-2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Taylors Creek resident told Fairfield County Council that algae overgrowth in Lake Watery is harming property values and recreational use and asked the council to approve funding requests from the Lake Watery Association when they come forward.","taxTitle","Fairfield County, South Carolina","taxId",3364,"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},6558177,"Administrator updates: Jenkinsville annexation dispute, proposed audit review, and authorization to finalize food bank MOU",367,3032000,3399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275546-589cff0dac9188bc82182e6e158ebd78&start=3032&end=3399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275546-589cff0dac9188bc82182e6e158ebd78/thumbnail_3032000.jpg","/articles/6558177/Fairfield-County/South-Carolina/Administrator-updates-Jenkinsville-annexation-dispute-proposed-audit-review-and-authorization-to-finalize-food-bank-MOU","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558177-9fd7aad242c0d7ee61b7ad854ea791ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206156&Signature=os2C9YvMVFYoQlhMrnS~PR0-eiOm5as~bZvvfTsW2XB40FwoPtyzStEoEcgUKn4zIOwO6Pfx~ibHQD0iOsZbbLEwENefXjS4XoZLvXDohLAsF6zwbQiTX5bqHc8EuRtf041eX6muNweqV6ApXwl-DmNYzIGHJ3zXdROz2jyep0GFd4YrbMpNAlE2ur0yyFADNDSE5jNBeWAZulSjyQG9lVNjlURy-3x8mmLawUAS1PXLuR3Xw9vWA2Y1kC274hUg26DNBjihE1VRrRUdlIKnqsqMFUEWoUboajG92hBAVsja3i-2HjrrDTXWg75mtZFfzu1unetQiF5M00PEYW0EOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Administrator Mister Carpenter briefed Fairfield County Council on several operational items, including a property annexation dispute in the Lakeview Drive area, a planned third-party review of county processes, and an update on a proposed memorandum of understanding with the Fairfield Community Food Bank.

On the Lakeview Drive matter, staff has met with property owners and informed them that the county cannot determine municipal boundaries; the county’s position is that the town (Jenkinsville) and the water district must certify their own limits and water-line locations. Carpenter said a stop-work order issued for a permit violation remains unresolved and is now before a judge; the speaker said the defendant requested a jury trial scheduled for the 28th of this month at 2:00 p.m. The administrator described the matter as a civil dispute that must proceed through the courts.

Carpenter said staff is evaluating a proposal for an outside third-party review of county processes and procedures that would be undertaken jointly with the county’s auditing firm; he estimated the work could approach $50,000 and would likely be spread over two budget years. Council members asked that the work be brought through the normal budget and committee process for consideration.

On the Fairfield Community Food Bank, the administrator presented a draft memorandum of understanding to allow the food bank to move into a building on Calhoun Street and asked the council to authorize him to negotiate and sign the MOU. Council approved the administrator’s authorization to finalize and sign the MOU; the clerk recorded the vote as 6–1 in open session.","County administrator updated council on a disputed annexation and a permit enforcement matter headed to jury trial, said staff is reviewing a third-party process review near $50,000, and the council authorized the administrator to finalize a memorandum of understanding with the Fairfield Community Food Bank.",{"_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},6558182,"Council approves rezoning of 1496 U.S. Highway 321 North in Winnsboro",200,1920000,2120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275546-589cff0dac9188bc82182e6e158ebd78&start=1920&end=2120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275546-589cff0dac9188bc82182e6e158ebd78/thumbnail_1920000.jpg","/articles/6558182/Fairfield-County/South-Carolina/Council-approves-rezoning-of-1496-US-Highway-321-North-in-Winnsboro","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558182-447d0a75622b960dc1d38efa417ad9b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206156&Signature=jREMoeb3vaqqcz0nr3Snsn-GcE2nZKSdPocILFZ-YN0Co0QzhLgXTWpYzFRmC74FVb8d4scW4lBxmGOxBtoqLifcEyh-P5swKB1CDpvy-U5Q6uijdz0ifaV7CthPIrQqjASK7or99ANZ1HQJf7a~GFA4O96UuZKJ8ZpLjqnjwDVGyAbrh1JgZTHACxxFE~r4-wqIAZb~71mE2B~Zi54W2Yi3KLt1Msy1Q2w-h4ZrC~6h49utVTwcuQVShU4n2UdiMdu8IjreF2stwT8nxcrBgXnoMcSCsKHq59z~txveLdNP-W1qU7UzqnBSolrE8I95ydKKFudYDzDmY-DqXqReSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fairfield County Council approved second reading of ordinance No. 844 to rezone property at 1496 U.S. Highway 321 North in Winnsboro from I-1 (industrial) to B-2 (general business).

County staff and the planning commission recommended approval. The planning commission’s recommendation referenced two addresses on U.S. Highway 321 North (1496 and 1678); Councilmember Miss Kovac noted the inclusion of 1678 could create confusion because that address is associated with a county animal shelter. County staff confirmed the county currently has some access to a portion of the property used for a horse field and barn under an agreement with the property owner, and that the parcel in question included the access area. Counsel and staff indicated that if the property were rezoned and later sold, the county would need to develop a plan for horse care and related access if county operations could no longer rely on that parcel.

Council members voted on the ordinance and the clerk recorded the final tally as unanimous in favor on the second reading. Council did not adopt a specific contingency plan during the meeting; staff said they would develop a plan if access or ownership changed.","Fairfield County Council approved a rezone request changing a parcel at 1496 U.S. Highway 321 North from I-1 (Industrial) to B-2 (General Business); council members raised questions about county access to an on-site horse field and potential confusion with a separate county facility address.",{"_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},6558187,"Council endorses advisory committee recommendation to fully fund two tourism agencies",765,2213000,2978000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275546-589cff0dac9188bc82182e6e158ebd78&start=2213&end=2978","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275546-589cff0dac9188bc82182e6e158ebd78/thumbnail_2213000.jpg","/articles/6558187/Fairfield-County/South-Carolina/Council-endorses-advisory-committee-recommendation-to-fully-fund-two-tourism-agencies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558187-a9bc6f85fa0786a6f25845cd7a9c9e69/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206156&Signature=cOcAg81xeKBzdNrJvAwKd~u9WtHiUjvL6fqFuqmNERwrOrKNr3vRUkk4THkh5beicEoRN73TK0hE03lWji793c2NdPo0CoHzx6xnG5k1zsK~ByZ40GmS9~pvNXh1tmOzMDPVjLW9-53RoAl-7M4kS2wIOVMasx5SSZ89tIjtRbtqxJ670SDxeReyAGB8-u4JV7b3oeb8pLN6TIlSuWAyrm35v6PbVmY8l~AjGQ73JfCHoCDyiEYyJKX0JdE~cYIu7MNr51lXo0SnEHcZpIKhQSpbGUlK9utn6qSK00mJCgM7PIERt8GLSLMoqGHirzwSXnCkFGBFRYdpq8nhrRzdog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fairfield County Council carried a recommendation from its accommodation and hospitality tax advisory committee to fully fund two state-level tourism applicants for fiscal year 2025–26.

The advisory committee recommended awarding $227,288 to the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce and $23,288 to the Old English District Tourism Commission, a combined $250,576. Committee members said the chamber requested $515,000 but the committee recommended the lower, fully funded figure of $227,288 to cover staffing and visitor-center costs; the Old English District request was recommended at $23,288 to support advertising, guide promotion, and co-op campaigns that include Fairfield County. The committee reported a carryover balance of $142,523.61 and said the county expects additional state disbursements after July 1.

During the council discussion staff said local accommodation and hospitality funds total closer to $1 million after a recent audit, and projected total funds available after the upcoming state distribution could fall in the range of several hundred thousand dollars (staff estimated between $350,000 and $450,000 by trend analysis but said the exact amount will depend on the upcoming disbursement). The council moved to accept the advisory committee’s state funding recommendations; the clerk recorded the vote as carried in open session.

Council members and staff said they will consider additional guidance and rules for the advisory committees; staff reported proposed governing guidelines and a timeline will be brought to the administration and finance committee and then to the full council for approval.","Fairfield County Council accepted the accommodation and hospitality tax advisory committee's recommendation to award $227,288 to the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce and $23,288 to the Old English District Tourism Commission, totaling $250,576.",{"_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},6558192,"Fairfield County approves incentives for 'Project Mega Cable,' renamed Mega Metal Incorporated",3139,3767000,6906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275546-589cff0dac9188bc82182e6e158ebd78&start=3767&end=6906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275546-589cff0dac9188bc82182e6e158ebd78/thumbnail_3767000.jpg","/articles/6558192/Fairfield-County/South-Carolina/Fairfield-County-approves-incentives-for-Project-Mega-Cable-renamed-Mega-Metal-Incorporated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558192-3112791b5eb49f426399aff1126fabbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206156&Signature=lSCRVuvcSBPR-pRSSYa8lvKd~9IX~~sl70ittRhJ32z6v1p3yKKOucSjGqdmWptEk~31dPS7dFK8AJpppCYovyGEzwMjWtIpveX6-q~YSomYebxDDT6G1uFb0iJq5P~zSMs1lZARz8kFMIznXDfItjL7IntyPlLnhA~aF2e9P8M6nle8OMS5C5EPjXQKOfHV8KWcweDvbbU6Sk14FckF07pNi5yV~RAKT3KDERh90Rl8ENnRFMexZDHDBaftGjLpb36lXXrgHzfWy0Qyic8WG9bKjqsmRvZTrN4xTNURNB9xsMg1HSeUQPNDE9oMujNLs-JK-mJOITan230bPqyNrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fairfield County Council approved two ordinances on third and second readings to support an economic development project first identified in executive session as Project Mega Cable and amended at third reading to Mega Metal Incorporated.

The council passed ordinance No. 846, authorizing a lease-purchase agreement that county staff described as a lease-to-own structure that would include lease payments of $680,000 over 10 years to cover the purchase price of a building to be used by the project. The council also approved ordinance No. 843, a fee-in-lieu of ad valorem taxes and incentive agreement that includes infrastructure credits and a county electricity grant. Both measures passed on recorded votes (council recorded the outcomes as unanimous on final readings).

County staff provided differing numerical summaries during the meeting. County administrator Mister Carpenter said the arrangement would involve building acquisition and tenant payments and (earlier in the meeting) cited an estimate of roughly 25 jobs; a later presentation by a county staff member identified as Miss Broadwood described a larger operation: a proposed copper-wire manufacturing facility with a capital investment of $34,280,000, including $12,160,000 for building acquisition and renovations and $22,120,000 for machinery and equipment. Broadwood said the project would create 135 new jobs within four years (120 jobs with an average wage “close to $30 an hour” and 15 transferred positions averaging $43.26 an hour). The council approved the final ordinance language that changed the project name from Project Mega Cable to Mega Metal Incorporated.

Council members discussed the package after the meeting's executive session, which the record shows was convened to consider prospective economic development under South Carolina law (referenced in the meeting as SC code 30-4-85). No public details were provided during the open session beyond those in staff presentations and the terms contained in the ordinances presented for final reading.

The ordinances authorize county staff to move forward with the lease-purchase and fee-in-lieu agreements as described in the adopted texts. The council recorded the final votes on both ordinances during the regular meeting and the clerk noted the measures carried on their final readings.","The county council approved a lease-purchase ordinance and a fee-in-lieu agreement to support a proposed copper-wire manufacturing operation at the Fairfield Commerce Center, after discussing project details in executive session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge council to fund Lake Watery algae cleanup as property values and recreation suffer

Administrator updates: Jenkinsville annexation dispute, proposed audit review, and authorization to finalize food bank MOU

Council approves rezoning of 1496 U.S. Highway 321 North in Winnsboro

Council endorses advisory committee recommendation to fully fund two tourism agencies

Fairfield County approves incentives for 'Project Mega Cable,' renamed Mega Metal Incorporated