[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6639351,"mediaKeyId","3795066-8dcb7e09d1edffb4f7324c61d7147459","parentId",3795066,"title","Votes at a glance: bond ordinance, budget readings, contracts, property sales and appointments — Sumter County Council, June 10","audioSeconds",290,"startMs",705000,"endMs",995000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3795066-8dcb7e09d1edffb4f7324c61d7147459&start=705&end=995","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3795066-8dcb7e09d1edffb4f7324c61d7147459/thumbnail_705000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6639351/Sumter-County/South-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-bond-ordinance-budget-readings-contracts-property-sales-and-appointments-Sumter-County-Council-June-10","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639351-3fb1463e20c625bf64d40db9c4488228/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166946&Signature=YElUn6rhiC5zfP4I6gqbPLwX19A1DnxzZAGEKDF8tgg~foLhd7HZPv3Sa3sH5t01A6GVrK~S5Llm-qLdOUFnhPFnqHCcEyuckGaqw8IQcszO113qKNpD8NYmz14F9MnswvdWqgy4CfZz6xjXjcOiXgzLnUSYB8nVyMMpvWnEd8ZQyN6OJhsOJ6eDo~X7471AiOsqmDl5W92-Un9g3S6FBdGCuwkBjtVesYFoWeUOweW7F-zXdZQL1kSAKc~pQz6XTgP57QxXtnqNLA3Jpv07j46kS3RPqUnX3nc~VDSWJmSV15nbQ-kkhuwx8flG9r0hjk0VtomqvpQmLfN374anDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sumter County","date","2025-06-11T16:36:19Z","article","At its June 10 meeting Sumter County Council handled several routine legislative and administrative items. The meeting record shows readings, public hearings and motions on bond issuance and sale, the annual budget ordinance, contract extensions, property sales and appointments. Where the transcript recorded vote outcomes they are listed below; in many instances the record notes a reading passed after a voice \"aye\" vote without a roll-call tally.

Key items and recorded outcomes

- Ordinance 25-10-27 (Annual Budget Ordinance): County staff presented a balanced general-fund budget of $65,479,733 (general fund revenues reported as $64,000,006.88 with use of fund balance reported previously). The transcript records a vote on the budget-related ordinance recorded as 6–1 in favor (\"passes 6 to 1\").

- Ordinance 25-10-6 (Bond issuance and sale, General Obligation Bond Series 2025): Staff presented a proposed bond issuance of up to $5,000,000 for capital purchases; a public hearing was opened. The transcript records the hearing and public comment period; no final roll-call vote on adoption is recorded in the provided transcript.

- RZ2503, RZ2504, RZ2505 (rezonings): Readings passed on the record for each rezoning request (see separate coverage). The transcript records voice \"aye\" votes; no roll-call tallies provided.

- Waste Management contract extension (Order 25-10-30): Council recorded a motion and a voice vote approving the extension of the county's agreement with Waste Management; the reading passed with a voice \"aye.\"

- Property sale (Airport Road parcel): Council approved a negotiated sale price adjusted after a survey; the motion passed by voice vote.

- Ordinance 25-10-28 (sale of North Park Drive property to Southern Combat Veterans Group): Council approved terms to place the property under contract with a down payment and an extended payment schedule; a reading passed on the record.

- Proclamations and appointments: Council approved a set of proclamations (including a women's veterans appreciation proclamation and a prequal army day proclamation) and made several appointments to advisory committees; these passed on voice votes recorded in the meeting.

What was not recorded: Several individual motions and votes in the transcript are recorded only by voice vote or a reading-passed notation; the transcript does not always include mover/second names or a roll-call tally for each item. A handful of budget-related and school-funding motions were made on the record but do not show final roll-call tallies in the provided transcript.

Why it matters: The recorded 6–1 vote on the county budget ordinance signals council majority support for the presented county budget; other routine administrative actions move forward county operations, property disposition and contract management.

For reporters: Where numeric tallies or mover/second names are not shown in the transcript, officials and the county clerk's office can provide complete roll-call records and signed ordinances/agreements for publication and verification.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 10, 2025, Sumter County Council regular meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council conducted readings and approved or moved forward multiple routine items including budget readings, bond issuance hearing, waste-management contract extension, property sales and appointments; where vote tallies were recorded, they are listed below.","taxTitle","Sumter County, South Carolina","taxId",4298,"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},6639355,"Sumter County Council approves three rezonings to consolidate split-zoned parcels",489,211000,700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3795066-8dcb7e09d1edffb4f7324c61d7147459&start=211&end=700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3795066-8dcb7e09d1edffb4f7324c61d7147459/thumbnail_211000.jpg","/articles/6639355/Sumter-County/South-Carolina/Sumter-County-Council-approves-three-rezonings-to-consolidate-split-zoned-parcels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639355-3e65e23296bc308f25e698223866d540/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166946&Signature=KTn6xX9-Hp8YgPZfKgVviZnBptdqguYHnQx7Qz4mJ3DzpBUEMC~J7oZBad4URzpp~EacFqt2BTAwkUAzQYBulwmDyLp-~8NKIJN0Zpz-G-OWppELqt1f-8dKmdTgzvQsib8wcIz62JwecCeh7HI94917jCWgpRxk6U~U4fLUEWYiWKhrCsxPUv1W6Qo6owBuptQiBPVNMXmvk2adogMHeVN9mIsHfIY49NfFmYi4FbMMG3spI5lVMbolfaxrmK65ldSsJIdsOk5kkd9yPQlOvaq~MsngSTdWYYHjmsy-7xcD76Nep7CsoxPRJoeGv0p3F3n4siGWYaKSlOzkMBX6eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sumter County Council held readings and approved motions to rezone three split-zoned parcels on Tuesday, June 10, citing planning-staff recommendations and compatibility with the county comprehensive plan.

Planning staff presented RZ2503 (1942 Georgia Road), a request from E Investments represented by Buddy Ward to rezone approximately 3.47 acres of a 4.5-acre parcel from Agricultural Conservation (AC) to General Commercial (GC). Staff said the property historically contained a nonoperational mobile-home park and that the split zoning complicated redevelopment. The applicant indicated a desire to redevelop and to allow uses permitted in GC — staff emphasized that no specific use was required as part of the rezoning. The planning commission had recommended approval; the council took a reading and the motion passed on the record.

RZ2504 (2615 In Georgia Road), presented as a request from property owner Craig Bell, proposed rezoning 4.3 acres from General Commercial (GC) to Light Industrial/Warehouse to permit light manufacturing and packaging activities. Staff said the existing building on the property dates to the 1980s and resembles earlier warehouse uses; the planning commission recommended approval and the council passed the reading.

RZ2505 (3535 Broad Street), a request to rezone 2.44 acres of a 4.77-acre parcel from Residential-15 to General Commercial, was presented to allow consistent development standards across the parcel and to separate a mini-storage facility from motel access. Staff noted the property sits in the county's military protection planning area; planning found the rezoning compatible because it reduces residential density. The planning commission recommended approval; the council conducted a reading and the motion passed on the record.

What changed and why: In each case, staff and the planning commission recommended consolidating split-zoned parcels into single zoning districts to simplify development standards and reduce conflicting permitted uses. Staff noted that in the county's military protection planning area, rezonings that reduce residential density can be consistent with the comprehensive plan.

Votes and procedure: For each rezoning the record shows a reading and an \"aye\" vote on the motion; the transcript records the readings passing but does not include individual council roll-call names or a numeric tally for each rezoning reading.

Next steps: Rezoning approvals move the parcels into a single zoning district so property owners may apply for development permits and site improvements under the district's development standards. No specific development permits were approved at the meeting.","Council approved readings for three rezoning requests — RZ2503, RZ2504 and RZ2505 — each proposed to unify split-zoned parcels into single commercial or industrial districts to facilitate redevelopment.",{"_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},6639360,"Sumter School District asks county council to fund K–3 reading supports, outlines $12.5 million in new expenditures for FY2026",461,1327000,1788000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3795066-8dcb7e09d1edffb4f7324c61d7147459&start=1327&end=1788","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3795066-8dcb7e09d1edffb4f7324c61d7147459/thumbnail_1327000.jpg","/articles/6639360/Sumter-County/South-Carolina/Sumter-School-District-asks-county-council-to-fund-K3-reading-supports-outlines-125-million-in-new-expenditures-for-FY2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639360-5ab651eefc6c3763db89bf26bf29eaea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166946&Signature=d9frMKZc5D7SN8BlxkkNLe4vKyLCC~GJNeyKVA9KtjWILRS1fMmgh88i-TOZPc6peEXvl68LwuTPmgxxvN9mehIitInFBrxWukZ-CFqRPRow5IOuTlPkxdKLXv~7xpL~ryFr2oJl1LzaEUOvhs6BY8Ue0aThC5X1hCV2usQtFwcjpH32QDIsSZ3WiiJrkupo8Hxckh1hVhTjeqibRb968tybvaeR3RbwNhcyGGIRacXB9TUBtvRtWovFbWM1Xxh-DkkkRoXkKnUUsOnnYcBerxvMrEFi6mGy60HZB-7JUOiPYEsEQBEis9smroQwclMkcih3mgEPqJjUl4Vt9aaIng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sumter School District leaders presented a package of proposed spending and a pilot \"reading to learn\" initiative to the Sumter County Council on Tuesday, June 10, asking the council to consider funding up to 19 auxiliary educators to support K–3 literacy.

The district's presentation, delivered to the council during the regular meeting, said projected additional new expenditures for fiscal year 2026 total $12,505,004.61. That total includes new positions and salary/fringe estimates the district identified as priorities: teacher salary step increases, 15 instructional coach positions ($1,900,000 estimated salary and fringe), six behavior interventionists ($432,500), an assistant principal at Cherryvale ($130,000), an administrative assistant at Radcon Creek ($101,129), a transition specialist for the alternative school ($47,000), virtual-school licenses ($125,000) and a virtual special-education teacher ($77,000). The district also requested funding to employ paraprofessionals (rebranded in the presentation as \"auxiliary educators\") at a total estimated cost of $639,912 to place additional staff in targeted K–3 classrooms.

The district representative said the starting-teacher salary has increased since 2017 and that the state proposal for a $1,500 increase per certified teacher would add to local costs; the presenter estimated the certified-teacher salary line would increase by about $2,900,000 (salary and fringe). The district described revenue-side expectations — including several possible versions of additional state classroom aid under consideration in the General Assembly — and a projected net gap between new revenues (roughly $4.6 million) and additional expenditures (about $12.5 million). To close that gap, the district said it would reduce its base budget by an estimated 6.6% (about $10.9 million) and rely on the updated base to absorb new spending.

Superintendent of Sumter School District (name not specified) framed the proposed reading initiative as an early-intervention effort, saying, \"We should be investing in children to help them learn to read so that they can read to learn.\" The superintendent said the proposal would target K–3 classrooms and that \"most, if not all, schools that serve K–3 students should benefit in some form\" from the auxiliary-educator placements.

Shetiva Spearman (presenter, Sumter School District), who walked the council through the expenditure line items and funding assumptions, told the council the district expects enrollment fluctuations and that state aid formulas remain in flux. The district noted it continues to feel effects from federal ESSER-era funding and that some proposed increases (for example, certified-teacher step movement and bus-driver and other staff raises) drive most of the new expenditure requests.

Council discussion included clarifications about the district's terminology and intent. One council member said the district would use the term \"auxiliary educators\" to clarify that some recruits could be retirees or current employees seeking different roles; the council member added that the title change was meant to broaden the pool of eligible hires. Another council member emphasized support for rural schools and for ensuring paraprofessionals are not overlooked in compensation decisions.

Councilman (name not specified) moved to approve a renewal increase to place two additional staff in selected K–3 classrooms as described by the district. The motion was made on the record; the transcript does not include the mover, seconder, or a roll-call vote for that motion.

Why it matters: District leaders said early reading proficiency is a key predictor of later academic outcomes, and the district framed the proposed hires as targeted early-intervention resources. The presentation also made clear the request interacts with state funding decisions and the district's internal budget reductions.

Next steps and context: The district's presentation accompanied the county's broader budget process. County staff (Mister Nixon) told the council earlier in the meeting that the county's balanced general-fund budget was $65,479,733 and that two readings of the county budget ordinance are scheduled; the school-district request will be considered as council and staff reconcile priorities. The transcript records a motion to fund the auxiliary-educator proposal but does not show a completed vote or final appropriation on the record.

The public comment period that followed included concerns from residents about communication from the council, transportation for students, road repairs and property-tax impacts on fixed-income households. Those concerns were raised separately from the district's formal request and were not recorded as formal council direction tied to the school funding motion.","School district leaders presented a proposal to recruit auxiliary educators for K–3 classrooms and outlined $12.5 million in additional FY2026 expenditures; councilors discussed the plan and a motion was made to approve a renewal increase to fund the initiative.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: bond ordinance, budget readings, contracts, property sales and appointments — Sumter County Council, June 10

Sumter County Council approves three rezonings to consolidate split-zoned parcels

Sumter School District asks county council to fund K–3 reading supports, outlines $12.5 million in new expenditures for FY2026