[{"_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",6541050,"mediaKeyId","3805611-81ccf28f5058fba8ab5578fe2aedf623","parentId",3805611,"title","Florence City Council adopts 2025–26 budget, approves zoning and code changes; hospitality bond set for executive review","audioSeconds",338,"startMs",4382000,"endMs",4720000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3805611-81ccf28f5058fba8ab5578fe2aedf623&start=4382&end=4720","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3805611-81ccf28f5058fba8ab5578fe2aedf623/thumbnail_4382000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6541050/Florence-City/Florence-County/South-Carolina/Florence-City-Council-adopts-202526-budget-approves-zoning-and-code-changes-hospitality-bond-set-for-executive-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541050-721570dcebfb737087c77d0d265298ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155268&Signature=JI8RwY5j-W8QnQdHL0kICOKyXz8NUhgdwf~9gMg-F-q6lPrHKNwdm3nPAZmsTaGel8uVmYfHHP3AyiyrJUt6~tqYOcWNA6vYTzQP2DudQ211gqu-ZhVZZUAqIwyRwQA4cuQguZOxIjgtwFqJyAdz-fEr2-RRk1oixNaeXsYwRUPxltZKPDN1w6a2wdlCQ~XIRk7ipbPvebJLrMhTA0sfBwmneN8Seois6A7EUzGUSSwBi4BJGc5FO2bFRmCwA6vwwaKB4b5Mek99ytRHJjvS8b0lK58G7TKOm1xqGQvP-PQ8t6FA~5nqnAuewGc1AIeyiJcg84MpCEhiH0qwXlZKBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Florence South Carolina","date","2025-06-10T06:32:23Z","article","The Florence City Council at its June meeting adopted the city's fiscal year 2025'26 budget and approved multiple ordinances and resolutions, while scheduling further discussion in executive session on a proposed hospitality-fee revenue bond.

The council voted to adopt the fiscal year 2025'26 budget (bill 2025-17) by voice vote after a second reading. Council members then approved a second-reading amendment to the current fiscal year budget (bill 2025-18); an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance addressing cemetery preservation (bill 2025-19); a rezoning of 1203 Sopkin Avenue from CA to NC-16-1 (bill 2025-20); and an annexation and zoning ordinance for a 1.467-acre lot on Tuscano Drive (bill 2025-21). All of those measures passed on second reading by voice vote.

On first reading, the council approved an amendment to the city's business license ordinance (bill 2025-23) that would formalize the city manager's policy not to request state or federal income tax returns as part of initial business license registration or annual renewal, consistent with Act 176. The council also introduced a series ordinance authorizing the terms and sale of up to $15.1 million in hospitality-fee revenue bonds (bill 2025-24) for hospitality fund projects; councilmembers moved to take the hospitality-bond item up in executive session for further consideration.

The council adopted Resolution 2025-12 to accept a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation of $144,189 for fiscal year 2025'26. Staff reported the proposed CDBG budget would direct roughly $68,308 for planning and administration, about $190,000 for emergency rehabilitation, $60,000 for down-payment assistance and $25,000 to the My Brother's Keeper program (staff presented these line items based on community input and prior program use). The staff presentation noted CDBG funds must address slum or blight, benefit low- and moderate-income residents, or meet urgent needs under program rules.

Council also approved several ceremonial resolutions: Resolution 2025-19 honoring Crewe Wine & Tap for downtown revitalization efforts; a proclamation recognizing June 2025 as Home Ownership Month; and Resolution 2025-21 recognizing Bishop Donald Jackson on his retirement from Francis Marion University. Resolution 2025-18 was deferred earlier in the meeting.

Votes at a glance (as recorded on the public record):
- Bill 2025-17, Ordinance to raise revenue and adopt the FY2025'26 budget — second reading; motion carried (voice vote: ayes). Outcome: approved.
- Bill 2025-18, Ordinance to amend FY2024'25 budget — second reading; motion carried (voice vote: ayes). Outcome: approved.
- Bill 2025-19, Ordinance to amend the Unifying Development Ordinance regarding cemetery preservation — second reading; motion carried (voice vote: ayes). Outcome: approved.
- Bill 2025-20, Ordinance to rezone 1203 Sopkin Avenue from CA to NC-16-1 — second reading; motion carried (voice vote: ayes). Outcome: approved.
- Bill 2025-21, Ordinance to annex and zone 1.467 acres on Tuscano Drive — second reading; motion carried (voice vote: ayes). Outcome: approved.
- Bill 2025-23, Ordinance to amend the business license ordinance (state/federal tax- return language) — first reading; motion carried (voice vote: ayes). Outcome: advanced (first reading adopted).
- Bill 2025-24, Series ordinance authorizing up to $15,100,000 in hospitality-fee revenue bonds (Series 2025) — first reading; council moved to discuss in executive session. Outcome: introduced; executive-session review requested.
- Resolution 2025-12, Adopt CDBG budget for FY2025'26 (allocation $144,189) — motion carried (voice vote: ayes). Outcome: approved. Staff outline: planning/admin ~ $68,308; emergency rehab ~ $190,000 (described as \"just over\" $190,000); down payment assistance $60,000; My Brother's Keeper $25,000 (amounts reported by staff; council adopted the CDBG budget as presented).
- Resolution 2025-19 (honoring Crewe Wine & Tap) — adopted. Outcome: approved.
- Proclamation recognizing June 2025 as Home Ownership Month — adopted. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 2025-21 (recognition for Bishop Donald Jackson) — adopted. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 2025-18 — deferred until representatives can attend. Outcome: deferred.

Councilmembers voted by voice in the public record; the minutes record \"ayes\" and no roll-call tallies for these votes. Where roll-call vote counts or individual votes were not entered on the public record, the council's action is recorded here as \"approved\" by voice vote. The hospitality-fee bond ordinance was introduced and referred to executive session for further legal discussion and negotiation of terms.

The council indicated staff will proceed with CDBG projects as budgeted and return with any required follow-up on bond terms after executive session. No additional action was recorded on the bond ordinance in open session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Florence South Carolina Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","The Florence City Council at its June meeting adopted the city's fiscal year 2025'26 budget and approved multiple ordinances and resolutions, while scheduling further discussion in executive session on a proposed hospitality-fee revenue bond.","taxTitle","Florence City, Florence County, South Carolina","taxId",4287,"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},6541041,"Florence resident urges enforcement at long-vacant Ivanhoe Drive property; city says summons issued and staff coordinating with Society Hill police",552,3296000,3848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3805611-81ccf28f5058fba8ab5578fe2aedf623&start=3296&end=3848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3805611-81ccf28f5058fba8ab5578fe2aedf623/thumbnail_3296000.jpg","/articles/6541041/Florence-City/Florence-County/South-Carolina/Florence-resident-urges-enforcement-at-long-vacant-Ivanhoe-Drive-property-city-says-summons-issued-and-staff-coordinating-with-Society-Hill-police","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541041-491c389b81e26e08587e8ae09635046f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155268&Signature=heyb~aSZVH4CnNHcLE-ne3L6M7tGmo8poJTtuX8AliroxeXL4GEhp4OUb0tu3ZoCCl2zrsYIH45XsHdEoAAYU5WRKd~6vFEzOlVPn0fNbheaYlSg3VrzOkOtY7es8E2C4jqydQvxYT07NCFCWs46uCqYxEnfol8IVen-f26tX92z3upfpnThBhwctXFJ3CuE-K2MkO6VkCGVefHs0SessDz3RQ-PvCOdOyjmFf1d3d~MdBH2Glmkxx4ep64lTqoTKpeUEsx0gxHB7X~8BoacGnnpSxVqm8BdkCK9D9c8D0TIAHNDKolsErAUysn~sfVtp3JWpfdhMsWsc-AhsJtiRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tammy Broach, a Florence resident and nurse, told the City Council that a house at 600 Ivanhoe Drive has been vacant for about eight years, remains unmaintained and constitutes an unsafe and unsanitary nuisance that invites trespass, homelessness and potential drug activity.

Broach said neighbors have called many times and that the property is unsecured. She brought photographs to the meeting and said efforts to serve the owner have failed because the owner resides in a neighboring county. She urged the council to enforce the city's property-maintenance code, including boarding up access, entering the property when legally permitted, and pursuing lot-maintenance violations.

\"This home has been vacant for approximately 8 years and has not been maintained at all,\" Broach said. \"It remains unsafe, unsanitary and is continuing to be a nuisance. The property is not secure.\" She told council that the location is on a cul-de-sac with small children and teenagers in the neighborhood and that the condition invites mischief.

City Manager Scotty (first name not provided in the public record excerpt) responded that staff have inspected the property and have an active summons. He said the owner lives in Society Hill and that city staff have worked with the Society Hill Police Department to submit the summons to that department's police chief. Scotty said the city has many such derelict properties and that code enforcement and court processes are available but rely on being able to serve owners who live outside the city.

Councilman Jabali thanked Broach for coming and acknowledged the frustration with derelict properties citywide, saying many neighborhoods experience similar problems. The city manager said staff will continue to pursue the court process and coordination with the neighboring jurisdiction.

No formal council action was recorded at the meeting specifically directing immediate demolition or city-funded remediation for 600 Ivanhoe Drive; staff reported an active summons and interjurisdictional cooperation was underway.

Speakers on this item included Tammy Broach (resident), Councilman Jabali (who spoke in support and acknowledged the scale of derelict-property issues), and City Manager Scotty (who described staff actions and the limits of city jurisdiction when owners live out of town).","A resident told council an eight-year-vacant home at 600 Ivanhoe Drive is unsafe and unsanitary; the city manager said staff have an active summons and are working with the Society Hill Police Department to serve the out-of-county owner and pursue code enforcement.",{"_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},6541045,"Community advocate alleges use-of-force and biased policing; council says SLED is investigating",215,2635000,2850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3805611-81ccf28f5058fba8ab5578fe2aedf623&start=2635&end=2850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3805611-81ccf28f5058fba8ab5578fe2aedf623/thumbnail_2635000.jpg","/articles/6541045/Florence-City/Florence-County/South-Carolina/Community-advocate-alleges-use-of-force-and-biased-policing-council-says-SLED-is-investigating","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541045-f0cc1eafcd0f5a6e01a9109dc3763c36/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155268&Signature=OQbavC9Dma4U8j-XXT3CdG1Kzm7XFTHXezpBp0ichju3y1jusvAgdZ~FarXutQ1o6AcguM0DUxXdAJVxAqzisTt3-8Q943GJTCnf51Q6WyuRYtynSNrOmeQX0EglbhgxIW9J9h6UzJ9ekRBK4Xd30Zt9Db9mC7KzZrYN~eSJvy~uktkh24I1SBwtOICvu2uvXEfrUXkDh53Rp4zyrwpvCAEgrBoAX05lHcMK71pZnhcPdfOjFo84XvcBfRLJQsb7WDtDDP1lr14xhjIIzw~BRcmLdCm5Z-gG2k9Srp6OrhJrr9lBT08xkJRSzYMGSQhlt-bXBrYcZ-Ou6LzkvTwXPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lanika \"Shelley\" Williams, a local community advocate and CEO of For the People Advocacy Group and national director of operations for Racial Justice Network, addressed the Florence City Council at its June meeting to describe an April 26 traffic stop involving her 26-year-old son that she says escalated into excessive force and misinformation by officers.

Williams said her son was stopped in their suburban neighborhood for a traffic violation and that officers \"dragged and slammed\" him. She said officers did not read her son his rights, did not provide their names when requested, and that a supervisor performed poorly. Williams said she was present during the stop, that she was threatened during the encounter, and that she later had to call a third-party officer to clarify events.

\"My son was stopped in our suburban neighborhood in his sports car for traffic violation, and that escalated into my son being dragged and slammed by officers,\" Williams told council. \"These officers displayed lack of training, lack of empathy, lack of common sense, and lack of decency. Not to mention they were downright liars.\" She played a short excerpt of video for the council but was advised by the presiding official that her time was nearly expired.

Williams raised broader concerns about department practices and racial disparities in policing. She reported April stops and arrests that she said exceeded totals for Florence County, Lake City and the highway patrol combined for that day, and provided counts she attributed to city records: \"10 black men, 6 or 7 black females, 1 Hispanic male, and 1 Hispanic female.\" She said, based on her review, that Black residents are stopped and arrested \"2 to 3 times more than their counterparts.\" Williams also said city staff had told her a policy required arrest when a person's license showed suspended in the system; she said subsequent meetings with the mayor, chief and captain revealed no written policy to that effect.

The mayor and other council members acknowledged Williams' concerns and said the city had referred the matter to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) because the city cannot investigate itself. In public comments, a council speaker explained: \"When we call for an investigation of the city, the city can't investigate themselves. That's why SLED was brought in.\" The mayor said the council must await the outcome of the independent investigation and could not provide details while it is pending.

Williams said she has not received the investigation's findings, expressed concern about alleged harassment she says followed her complaint (officers driving past her house and appearing at places she frequents), and asked what the council could do to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents. Council members urged patience for the investigation to run its course and reiterated that they could not comment publicly on an open investigation.

No formal council action was recorded on the record at the meeting; councilmembers asked staff to allow the investigation to proceed and to report back as appropriate.

Speakers on the record regarding this item included Williams and the mayor; Williams identified herself in the meeting as an advocate with more than 30 years of community service and said she works with local youth and low-income residents. City officials confirmed SLED involvement and said the city would not provide investigatory details while SLED's process is underway.

Williams asked for accountability measures and asked whether further remedies, including civil action, would be necessary if she and her family continued to experience harassment.","At the council meeting, community advocate Lanika \"Shelley\" Williams described an April 26 stop in which she says officers used excessive force against her 26-year-old son, outlined racial disparity figures for April stops, and said internal promises of investigation were inconsistent; the city said SLED has been brought in to investigate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Florence City Council adopts 2025–26 budget, approves zoning and code changes; hospitality bond set for executive review

Florence resident urges enforcement at long-vacant Ivanhoe Drive property; city says summons issued and staff coordinating with Society Hill police

Community advocate alleges use-of-force and biased policing; council says SLED is investigating