[{"_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",6658155,"mediaKeyId","5029024-2e4a4de1da931dfc12989336ab085e6b","parentId",5029024,"title","Florence City Council adopts fiscal 2026 budget, approves multiple ordinances and resolutions including hospitality-bond authorization","audioSeconds",274,"startMs",3726000,"endMs",4000000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5029024-2e4a4de1da931dfc12989336ab085e6b&start=3726&end=4000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5029024-2e4a4de1da931dfc12989336ab085e6b/thumbnail_3726000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6658155/Florence-City/Florence-County/South-Carolina/Florence-City-Council-adopts-fiscal-2026-budget-approves-multiple-ordinances-and-resolutions-including-hospitality-bond-authorization","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658155-078dbd6fd4a342f8142200d941e0ff9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776535758&Signature=eDSsypZCU1JlkCoa~e4q8WC9bgGxxONTy-1jNSBgwhkaG4vsnJXtitMMIg~lm9tYY1zs7Obr-H454SeCX~XrV6HZezUAo6YT6mPWkcAkau2Z6A5KdTkIkvv7VAtT2UH4desN3cOh~vbr45VUUaniYpwK~hwhKLkvqCv7kgg4MBtGvk7TZW~ROhiSVeI7zrLY7BSwPI5w-D6MO8w4q05oYFimSNqY6NsAUGWKq3o9oZpsMR~yU8kC~LTpQt3X9tH4LMRPyq0v433IBosyiujqD0JAoRTlQiprGsSjuvouF7XgYJYHZdoDkn0hGSE0Ih78ptrQ9BCgojD8Snfgp8jSKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Florence South Carolina","date","2025-06-18T10:17:05.193Z","article","The Florence City Council on Wednesday approved the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget and took final or preliminary action on a series of ordinances and resolutions, including first-reading approval to move forward with hospitality fee revenue bonds not to exceed $15,100,000 for recreation and arena projects.

The budget ordinance, presented as bill 2025‑17, was adopted on second reading to raise revenue and set city spending for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026. Council voted on several other measures during the meeting, many by voice vote with no roll-call tallies provided on the record.

Why it matters: adopting the annual budget funds city operations, capital projects and programs for the coming year; the bond authorization signals Council’s intent to finance multiple hospitality‑funded recreation projects and move them into design or procurement phases.

Votes at a glance

- Budget (Bill 2025‑17): Ordinance to raise revenue and adopt the budget for fiscal year 2025–26. Action: Approved on second reading. (Motion and second on the record; voice vote: “ayes have it.”)

- Budget amendment (Bill 2025‑18): Ordinance to amend the budget for FY 2024–25. Action: Approved on second reading. (Voice vote.)

- Cemetery preservation (Bill 2025‑19): Ordinance amending the unifying development ordinance regarding cemetery preservation. Action: Approved on second reading. (Voice vote.)

- Rezoning (Bill 2025‑20): Ordinance to rezone 1203 Sopkin Avenue from CA to NC‑1‑6‑1. Action: Approved on second reading. (Voice vote.)

- Annexation (Bill 2025‑21): Ordinance to annex and zone 1.467 acres on Tuscano Drive (portion of Florence County tax map 00100‑01‑101) as NC‑66.3. Action: Approved on second reading. (Voice vote.)

- Business license ordinance amendment (Bill 2025‑23): First reading to update required documents for initial registration and annual renewal of business licenses, including formalizing a staff policy that state and federal income tax returns not be required. Action: Approved on first reading.

- Hospitality fee revenue bonds (Bill 2025‑24): First reading of a series ordinance providing for sale of hospitality fee revenue bonds not to exceed $15,100,000 (Series 2025) to fund hospitality‑eligible projects discussed at the May budget work session. Projects cited by staff include construction or renovation at the Pearl (gymnasium), development of new football fields, and new tennis courts at the Florence Tennis Center. The item was discussed in executive session and later taken up and advanced on the council floor; the ordinance returned to Council for a vote and was advanced on first reading.

- Community Development Block Grant budget (Resolution 2025‑12): Resolution adopting the CDBG budget for FY 2025–26. Action: Adopted. Staff reported proposed allocations including planning and administration and funding for emergency rehabilitation, down payment assistance and local nonprofit support.

- Resolutions recognizing businesses and observances: Resolution 2025‑19 honoring Crewe Wine & Tap for contributions to downtown revitalization (adopted); Resolution recognizing June 2025 as Homeownership Month (adopted); resolution recognizing the retirement of Bishop Donald Jackson from Francis Marion University (adopted). Several recognitions were presented during the meeting.

Other council business

- The council confirmed several board and commission appointments and clarified the process for the Florence Housing Authority commissioner appointment to serve at the mayor’s discretion until replaced.

What the city said: City Manager Scottie Davis described the hospitality bond measure as setting terms for issuance and sale and tied the listed projects to priorities discussed at the May 7 budget work session. Staff also presented the recommended CDBG allocations and noted that the business‑license revision would codify an existing city‑manager policy regarding tax returns.

What the record does not show: Most votes were taken by voice; the meeting transcript does not include roll‑call vote tallies or individual vote records for each ordinance. Amendments, if any, were not described in detail on the record for the items advanced on first reading.

Looking ahead: Items approved on first reading may return to council for subsequent readings or implementation steps, and the bond issuance will require finalizing terms and sale documents as part of the city’s financing timeline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Florence City Council - June 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Florence City Council on Wednesday approved the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget and took final or preliminary action on a series of ordinances and resolutions, including first‑reading approval to move forward with hospitality fee revenue bonds not to exceed $15,100,000 for recreation and arena projects.","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},6658145,"Florence neighborhood residents press council to enforce codes over long‑vacant home on Ivanhoe Drive",532,3120000,3652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5029024-2e4a4de1da931dfc12989336ab085e6b&start=3120&end=3652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5029024-2e4a4de1da931dfc12989336ab085e6b/thumbnail_3120000.jpg","/articles/6658145/Florence-City/Florence-County/South-Carolina/Florence-neighborhood-residents-press-council-to-enforce-codes-over-longvacant-home-on-Ivanhoe-Drive","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658145-6052d534e13e2ea42b766a08af4efd8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776535758&Signature=bonBIfl5Ny-j4FHSwh0i4hAZBbxpX~VsZRglMq56FdnrzghJhwRZm7vPZOWQqx6CG91O8ZEq2if8yuf8dqGvoy-qKOZzVSV4YZJncYxr-VopUl1f23AOTqSsKBhhbk-219ekWlNmE5sW9GaXq4YtW5aUIXqnR03pW9hk3~VPqxYNKzLycYuDEYVVXeGBZQrKxVO2INZWZN6d5PRKwsWJbgjCIAcGYYfA8WDj-4MGYBYfjx07i9KYyOYHeB8pe-KCpV5GU7EwdOXdA2pGU3SitNp8Y5-lDxAFw~oYYG8tlsO1ysRfnjkf0k6apzc32TMRfVCt-lYfHQR0WLSYjCX5ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tammy Broach, a Florence resident since 1987, asked the City Council to enforce property‑maintenance codes at 600 Ivanhoe Drive, a home she said has been vacant for roughly eight years and has not been secured or maintained.

Broach told council the property presents safety and sanitation hazards and is an attractive nuisance that has invited homeless occupancy and possible drug activity. She said neighbors and parents are concerned because the house sits on a cul‑de‑sac with children and teenagers nearby.

“...the property remains unsafe, unsanitary, and it's continuing to be a nuisance,” Broach said during public appearances.

City Manager Scottie Davis responded that staff has inspected the property, that the owner lives in Society Hill and that an active summons exists. Davis said city staff has coordinated with the Society Hill Police Department to attempt service on the owner and noted the city handles hundreds of similar derelict properties in varying conditions.

Council members expressed sympathy for neighbors and acknowledged the difficulty of enforcing codes when owners live outside the city. Councilman Japali (phonetic transcription from the record) thanked Broach for raising the issue and asked the city manager to outline the process; Davis summarized that legal action and court processes are required to compel compliance when owners are out of town, and that the city has code tools to seek remedies but must follow service and due‑process steps.

Why it matters: Long‑vacant, unsecured properties can create safety hazards, lower nearby property values and attract criminal activity. Residents asked the council whether cooperation with nearby jurisdictions and possible ordinance changes would speed remedies.

Clarifying details from the record

- Property vacancy: Broach estimated the home at 600 Ivanhoe Drive has been vacant for approximately eight years.
- Owner location: City staff reported the owner resides in Society Hill (Darlington County); the city is coordinating service with the Society Hill Police Department.
- Code tools: Staff said the city has codes that allow the city to bring violators into court, board up access and address maintenance issues, but must complete service and court steps, especially when owners are outside the city.

What the council asked staff to do

- Continue attempts to serve the property owner and pursue court remedies available under the property‑maintenance code.
- Confirm whether ordinance amendments or additional interjurisdictional cooperation could accelerate enforcement in similar cases; council members asked staff to review options.

Speakers (from transcript)

- Tammy Broach — Florence resident (public commenter)
- Scottie Davis — City Manager, City of Florence (staff response)
- Councilman Japali — Council member who acknowledged the complaint and requested staff follow‑up

Proper names

- 600 Ivanhoe Drive (address referenced by the commenter)
- Society Hill (owner’s reported place of residence; law enforcement coordination partner)

Meeting context

- Engagement level: Public‑comment item; the matter prompted follow‑up from city management and council direction to pursue enforcement steps.
- Implementation risk: Medium — enforcement requires legal service, potential court proceedings and cross‑jurisdiction cooperation.
- History: Residents reported multiple prior complaints to codes staff without lasting remedy. City staff said they had active summonses and had visited Society Hill to deliver summons to that police chief.

Searchable tags: derelict_property, code_enforcement, Society_Hill, 600_Ivanhoe_Drive, Florence_City","Residents told council a house at 600 Ivanhoe Drive has been vacant about eight years, is unsecured and poses safety and sanitation concerns; city staff said an active summons exists and the owner resides in Society Hill, and staff is coordinating service through that jurisdiction.",{"_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},6658150,"Florence resident urges accountability after son’s April traffic stop; SLED investigation pending",605,2458000,3063000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5029024-2e4a4de1da931dfc12989336ab085e6b&start=2458&end=3063","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5029024-2e4a4de1da931dfc12989336ab085e6b/thumbnail_2458000.jpg","/articles/6658150/Florence-City/Florence-County/South-Carolina/Florence-resident-urges-accountability-after-sons-April-traffic-stop-SLED-investigation-pending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658150-6b8ab8c647a4a173b27d54521d522c1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776535758&Signature=OyALFSxlINeJWIorL5TY33FJpIkNEDDZbsN19Q~3qhaQJZ-8I5fHDNX1yx8xRtUZLwULnK2~0Sy8HGYyNUsSgbcfEaE-eJML~BcHPrzc0RpoRxw4GDI5lRfovWaUE2h~-Z88lL2NLjN77OlT3QXbqrA220zujAFk3XbQ8VonwwHpSYVOVe6rIkLXGLMTbeF7xcFj1Z2S271DY7AFJ9QQWWXH86WOxxgrqM~PdL5WP5DFvF2pTaNIr~oWlgtBJqDqlIoiZFFtcgTgm4Ixm~-WehI88f0rQAJ0M7Tojl5ZXyeXSY7BUqtJH~8EOLHu4fKc1CsqWb2F5bxX9FtDyNrPCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lanika “Shelly” Williams, a community advocate and CEO of For the People Advocacy Group, told the Florence City Council that she is “completely outraged” after an April 26 traffic stop in which she says her 26‑year‑old son was dragged and slammed by officers and that officers gave the family “countless lies.” Williams said the encounter escalated when a sergeant called for backup and that she and others at the scene were not advised of the reason for the arrest.

In public comments, Williams said her son, who she described as having no prior trouble with the law, was stopped for a traffic violation in their suburban neighborhood and that the stop followed what she said was an earlier instance in which the same officer had followed him home weeks earlier. Williams said the supervising officer handled the matter poorly and that representations by police about city policy — specifically that a motorist with a suspended license in the system must be arrested — were incorrect.

“Where’s the accountability?” Williams asked the council near the end of her remarks. She told the council she has pursued internal channels and met with the mayor, the police chief and a captain; she said the family has received harassment since filing a complaint and that she had to bring in a third‑party officer to clarify what happened at the scene.

Mayor Barnes and other council members said the incident is under investigation and that the city referred the matter to the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). On the record, council members and the city manager stated they could not provide details while SLED’s inquiry is active. A council member noted that when a complaint is under formal review, the city’s ability to investigate internally is limited, which is why SLED was engaged.

Why it matters: Williams’ comments raise concerns about police conduct, supervisory oversight and the city’s investigative timeline. Her account also includes broader claims about racial disparities in traffic stops and arrests, which she said reflect local patterns. City officials acknowledged the complaint and asked that SLED’s process be allowed to run its course.

What the record shows

- Williams said the stop occurred April 26 and that her son was 26 years old at the time of the incident.
- She reported an increase in traffic stops and arrests in April that she said disproportionately affected Black and Hispanic residents; she cited aggregate comparisons (Florence Police compared with Florence County, Lake City and the highway patrol) in the meeting but did not provide underlying data on the record.
- Williams said she was told by city officers that a local policy required arrest when a driver’s license shows as suspended in the system; she later reported that in a meeting with the mayor, the chief and a captain staff admitted there is no written policy requiring automatic arrest in those circumstances.

What the city said

- The mayor’s office and city staff confirmed SLED has been asked to investigate and said they cannot comment further while that probe is active. The mayor and city manager told Williams the administration would allow the external investigation to proceed.

Next steps and outstanding requests

- Williams asked the council what remedies the legislative body can provide while the investigation proceeds, including what city council can do to ensure accountability and to protect her family. Council members reiterated that SLED’s external review must be completed before the city can act on disciplinary or policy outcomes.

Speakers (from transcript)

- Lanika Williams — community advocate; CEO, For the People Advocacy Group; National Director of Operations, Racial Justice Network (public commenter)
- Mayor Barnes — Mayor, City of Florence (response from the dais)
- City Manager Scottie Davis — City Manager, City of Florence (administrative response)

Clarifying details

- Incident date: April 26, 2025 (reported by speaker). If a precise arrest report date differs in records, that is not specified on the meeting record.
- Investigation status: Referred to SLED; city declined further comment pending SLED outcome.

Proper names

- For the People Advocacy Group (organization referenced by the commenter)
- State Law Enforcement Division (SLED)

Community relevance

- Geographies: City of Florence
- Impact groups: residents who interact with law enforcement, racial‑justice stakeholders, families in the affected neighborhood

Meeting context

- Engagement level: public comment allotment (5‑minute limit) used by Williams; the topic prompted follow‑up questions and administrative clarification; the council did not take action during the meeting because of the ongoing SLED investigation.
- Implementation risk: low (city awaiting external findings before administrative action).","Lanika ‘Shelly’ Williams told City Council she is \"completely outraged\" after officers detained and used force against her adult son during an April traffic stop; she said prior complaints, alleged follow‑ups by officers and inconsistent accounts from police raise concerns and asked what the council can do while SLED reviews the case.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Florence City Council adopts fiscal 2026 budget, approves multiple ordinances and resolutions including hospitality-bond authorization

Florence neighborhood residents press council to enforce codes over long‑vacant home on Ivanhoe Drive

Florence resident urges accountability after son’s April traffic stop; SLED investigation pending