[{"_1":2,"_119":-5,"_120":-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",[32,74,85,97,109],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6155469,"mediaKeyId","5478372-a0b7173de9415defb1f039febf52857e","parentId",5478372,"title","Residents press council to act after Elbit Systems ships howitzers; speakers urge end to tax incentives","audioSeconds",1527,"startMs",263000,"endMs",1790000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5478372-a0b7173de9415defb1f039febf52857e&start=263&end=1790","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5478372-a0b7173de9415defb1f039febf52857e/thumbnail_263000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6155469/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Residents-press-council-to-act-after-Elbit-Systems-ships-howitzers-speakers-urge-end-to-tax-incentives","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155469-f775c5c77cef60c461c30dcd5e2d2493/orig.mp4?Expires=1775511467&Signature=Vz1obXecTE0qTb-GOKbUp2wU4PK8HqnQJdXr3BaNkNoxqj1JFxW4suisealSjspsQ25lWVXO0AKIMsjU0WDUPMYPrPBdcQ7qIC3EbBkjaUqa29pbgO9NBMbMiz~jXEY40Mlq7-EtskkUQeVOh-MiBNTnK-OuD6VPJmKC4h4aIXmUEDZjC1K7b4OhqJQFZsKMiF9Un7E13oaCE5mgtDoEGitjh49iO39zLnOc8zZn8txPcfYn51iDi6THjsEDHTsVjrc4t-1VP2D7nXX8IZTdT~lFiv7SADpc2FGYyT10Vp1e2uQDFWBrJ~WAvnLLytNj1GXTVvQzDo3OpIPUBI8F6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-24T15:27:26Z","article","Dozens of public speakers at Charleston County Council’s meeting urged elected officials to act against Elbit Systems, which critics say has shipped howitzers from its Ladson facility to Israel. Speakers said the company’s weapons are being used in the Israel-Gaza conflict and asked the council to rescind tax incentives and other local support.
Multiple commenters invoked imagery and testimony from international human-rights experts and recent news accounts. Robert Genro told the council: \"You've allowed into our community a company playing an integral role in a world historic live streamed atrocity. That will be the shame of the world for generations to come.\" He urged council to \"shut down Elbit immediately before more damage can be done.\"
Other speakers argued the county’s prior financial arrangements — described by some as a \"fee in lieu of tax\" agreement — make the county complicit. Brianna McGinnis said the incentive package \"makes all of us, taxpayers, council members, all of us, complicit in the war crimes that those weapons are being used to commit.\" Elizabeth Roth of the Elbit out of South Carolina Coalition said the first howitzers have left the area and called for divestment of taxpayer money.
Speakers used a range of frames: some described Elbit as a war profiteer and urged immediate action from the county; others linked the presence of the company to local budget choices, saying public subsidies harmed schools and libraries. Several speakers referenced international legal findings and commentary from scholars and humanitarian groups characterizing actions in Gaza as genocide.
Council response and status: There was no formal council vote or ordinance action on Elbit at this meeting. Several council members acknowledged receipt of public concerns and indicated staff follow-up or private conversation with staff and legal counsel would occur; one council member said he would speak with staff after the meeting about Elbit-related issues. The record shows strong public advocacy but no immediate policy change by the council at this session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","07/22/2025 - Charleston County Council","oneSentenceSummary","More than a dozen public commenters urged Charleston County Council to revoke or reconsider tax agreements and other local support for Elbit Systems after the company shipped howitzers to Israel; speakers described moral and legal objections and called for immediate divestment, but the council did not take formal action during the meeting.","taxTitle","Charleston County, South Carolina","taxId",3700,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":78,"_47":79,"_49":80,"_51":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":83,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":84,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6155473,"Public split as council holds hearing on Parkers Ferry overlay change to allow vehicle storage by special exception",0,2868000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5478372-a0b7173de9415defb1f039febf52857e&start=2868&end=2868","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5478372-a0b7173de9415defb1f039febf52857e/thumbnail_2868000.jpg","/articles/6155473/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Public-split-as-council-holds-hearing-on-Parkers-Ferry-overlay-change-to-allow-vehicle-storage-by-special-exception","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155473-13813186b684688100fee52c61e35e80/orig.mp4?Expires=1775511467&Signature=K1HRwXJVMAwYFOkzk9W39XyRFsUw8vXBpzuDlEmP4l7ZDf92tZvmo3WDTkGaMr9VdcgWYVzgQ-UV2jLKVzLmstTita1gFd9Ma1yficQeqeUJzOPfK9fcY3xuC08MJg6ljdXJ5137khacVxwqn910ZZEtL9p4rkOMuLJWSdFlYyzZrBCkVEubliaeQ290zUMaSFeVZPI9NpDKDJI8RIzC~7p5OhmSqArbCsk4mHKVO1RHvnEHFQtxehK034tPvcMd7j0ZD~-5RuWOBLuNgLyMsYw2zvZhdRIjpOYw8rPp6bNus4I1sJZTKTRseU6KEEXJ-FmLyXNK7qzrtdt7AyaE0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston County held a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Parkers Ferry Overlay zoning table to add vehicle storage as an allowed use in business service nodes and commercial properties if approved through the ZLDR special exception process. The amendment would add vehicle storage with special-exception review under ZLDR Section 3.6.5 and Table 5.12.5.
Planning staff explained the Parkers Ferry overlay was adopted in 2017 to protect rural character while allowing limited commercial uses in business nodes along arterial roads such as Savannah Highway and Highway 174. The Planning Commission first deferred the application on March 10 to allow community outreach; after additional outreach the commission recommended approval at its June 9 meeting with a condition for properties that front Highway 17.
Public comments were mixed at the hearing. Several neighbors and community members spoke in favor of the applicant for Imperial RV and Boat Storage, saying the site already abuts commercial uses and the applicant reduced density and proposed landscaping and fencing. Carson Lanou, representing the applicant, described the plan as a one-acre site with 25 parking spaces, a slotted fence, lighting and video surveillance, and a prohibition on on-site fluid changes. \"We will be building a slotted fence around the site. So that will be well lit. There'll be video surveillance, and it'll be safe for tenants,\" he said.
Other residents expressed concern about historic overlay impacts and characterization of overlay zoning. One longtime speaker argued that overlay districts had been used to exclude Black residents and questioned aesthetics and enforcement; the record shows both support and skepticism from the community. The Will Town Community Center's Ophelia Williams said her group had met with the applicant and \"we do not object. We support him with his business.\"
Status: This item was presented as a public hearing with the Planning Commission recommendation to allow vehicle storage subject to the ZLDR special-exception procedures and an added condition for properties fronting Highway 17; no council final action on the amendment was recorded at this meeting.","A proposed amendment to the Parkers Ferry Overlay zoning to allow vehicle storage in business nodes with a special exception drew local speakers both supporting an Imperial RV and Boat Storage application and criticizing overlay policy; the Planning Commission recommended approval subject to conditions.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6155477,"Council advances Orange Hill development agreement, rezoning on Johns Island with second-reading approvals",118,5822000,5940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5478372-a0b7173de9415defb1f039febf52857e&start=5822&end=5940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5478372-a0b7173de9415defb1f039febf52857e/thumbnail_5822000.jpg","/articles/6155477/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Council-advances-Orange-Hill-development-agreement-rezoning-on-Johns-Island-with-second-reading-approvals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155477-00d1b3403d248512a708c055ce911aa6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775511467&Signature=euVHuMVj~~jXh8pGAby9L5cyjeiKLR1mBuim4hKtXb08VIqtLMYZOKrJZ1NKPsIK~~~wkXPsrQkdYbdM~yms0dGD8nS1CJWQMXMgDrBgg7KCZinz9m1OCNfO-jm2UaQzRLunQ6BjzaEefaXNAsf83bhqz2CYhWMrNuNaGcA5OL-GQ7kunExcJ50MtauIZsl~-Vw3SxvhuqRm8sLzruQCCDA6OLtrqsupwANlEFSLcCb2kB8J23PLu5vxUPW~TQQRCfR6PjH00oI-D1wLXlyTYodX9i16hXWbJez08eNiyMpwXvO7RMcnscx7cXwDQ27ePoefSCe4SCKNr~BJAk~EJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston County Council approved the second readings of ordinances for the Orange Hill development agreement and a rezoning that would reclassify three parcels on Johns Island under a new plan development (PD) district.
The council voiced its votes in roll call. For the development agreement ordinance the meeting record shows affirmative votes from multiple members; the rezoning ordinance recorded nine ayes on second reading: \"Ordinance passes second reading with 9 ayes,\" the clerk said.
What passed: Two separate but related measures advanced on second reading: (1) an ordinance approving the Orange Hill development agreement between Kiawah Resorts Associates LP and Charleston County; and (2) an ordinance rezoning property at 4612 River Road and nearby parcels from existing PD and rural agriculture zoning to the Orange Hill Plan Development PD 191 zoning district. The meeting record lists parcel identification numbers included in the rezoning motion.
Context and next steps: Second reading approvals move the items forward under the county’s legislative schedule toward final adoption; the council did not state additional amendments on the floor during second reading. Any implementation will follow local land-use procedures, development-agreement conditions and the county’s development regulations.","Charleston County Council gave second-reading approval to the Orange Hill development agreement and rezoning ordinances for parcels on Johns Island; second readings passed unanimously as recorded with nine ayes on the rezoning ordinance.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6155482,"Charleston County clears $2,000 one-time employee bonus in budget second reading amid debate",1232,3888000,5120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5478372-a0b7173de9415defb1f039febf52857e&start=3888&end=5120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5478372-a0b7173de9415defb1f039febf52857e/thumbnail_3888000.jpg","/articles/6155482/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Charleston-County-clears-2000-one-time-employee-bonus-in-budget-second-reading-amid-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155482-c6215a46557394b9d60bf71337568564/orig.mp4?Expires=1775511467&Signature=A4n9MTJeAG8r1eaXaFtoexO3eCZqxufhVLwO1H-WWNEYu91T2k4adV9avRbG0CAOW~W1MxbUBceNNoFl2Y5XmEk7dniK4H7pqNdqyAnYVctWWv1hmGYnnxd0~GIaz3foOBi-346iqLHlEUbmzkFaP3TBaz~2XTiHz51Na3pbHzjrAUE0XnsZ1clInxPpyNwPMOfJdg9k2Vj5qSi7ANq4fkgQVQFwyuZYaRtQykHtuaFP5rs2Noz6DUBwC3ocrxmeBJx-2a0ha8bONWCoPVpGFPQDCuDUU6F-9KLeWGpE1OUngoFcEmLrBzeTEaty7-6JIp3u1kubBP8DTe23hz7AuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston County Council approved second reading of a fiscal-year 2026 budget amendment that includes a one-time $2,000 payment to county employees, funded from county fund balance.
The ordinance amendment, described at the meeting as a $4.2 million appropriation for FY26, was supported by council members who framed it as a retention and morale measure. During debate, Council member \"Mister Kabrowski\" said he opposed a flat payment to all employees and moved to amend to limit the bonus to employees earning $75,000 or less; that amendment failed to gain the support needed and the council returned to the original motion. The final roll call on the ordinance’s second reading recorded eight ayes and one nay; the clerk summarized, \"The ordinance passes second reading with 8 ayes and 1 nay.\"
Council discussion: Supporters said the one-time payment targeted immediate retention needs and was structured so that lower-paid workers receive a larger percentage bump than higher-paid staff. As a staff member explained, the county is experiencing retention difficulties \"across the board,\" and the $2,000 fixed payment was chosen instead of a percentage-based cost-of-living adjustment so the lower-paid employees effectively receive a larger proportional benefit. Council member \"Mister Pryor\" argued against carving the payment by salary band, saying, \"It's all or nothing to me,\" and that all county employees perform critical work.
Opponents and concern: Council members who opposed or sought limits said using fund balance for a universal flat payment sends a poor message to taxpayers and urged means-testing or narrower eligibility; one council member said the payment could reduce the county’s ability to cover future budget pressures if repeated.
Implementation and criteria: Council instructed administrative staff to implement the one-time payment; staff described employment, payroll and performance criteria would be applied (for example, eligibility keyed to fiscal-year employment). The motion did not require a minimum continued tenure after payment, although members discussed the possibility of administrative conditions to discourage immediate departures after receipt.
No final, detailed eligibility matrix was included in the text of the ordinance on the floor; staff were directed to administer the payment according to fiscal-year employment rules and existing HR policies.","Council approved the second reading of the FY26 budget amendment to allocate a $2,000 one-time payment to employees, a $4.2 million draw from fund balance; vote passed 8–1 after members debated scope, means-testing and retention goals.",{"_33":110,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":111,"_41":77,"_43":112,"_45":112,"_47":113,"_49":114,"_51":115,"_53":116,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":117,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":118,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6155486,"Charleston County Council directs appointed boards, commissions to take state oath by Oct. 31",3402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5478372-a0b7173de9415defb1f039febf52857e&start=3402&end=3402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5478372-a0b7173de9415defb1f039febf52857e/thumbnail_3402000.jpg","/articles/6155486/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Charleston-County-Council-directs-appointed-boards-commissions-to-take-state-oath-by-Oct-31","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155486-64f0cd65c360995b7ce2ad1cae13ed9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775511467&Signature=cmwYrYJmNC9QtBppm-7h9R43YoViSqe7cgAJ32WMEUENFY646z61By9zOTkjmMWC-L311QKHuxg5qXB5l0FQ69~NOCIbEe09xT3CKlrh1u11T-zZK59fJq22qA5FVzI~bSghlFtXOuqe4zktxRxTsqCslVBQ7~Lzzv6Jt1iXwbFxZM0iQHTTzgMqIEizApVi9gZ6SNDCuZQSNUnMa70o6Gh3ZsYQTaRA1q0GoIPU-SxmLxP1WCT9bHXcUXzQ0P67uaT1gNOu7bQH~U1lG9RmpTezH4NGUV3Sl9c9~VFFdOQMe01p9SyqHSqWLjs0CTYT9Ukl9cPjUCKYLUhXEjGN8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston County Council voted to direct members of boards and commissions appointed directly by the council to take the oath of office specified in Article VI, Section 5 of the South Carolina Constitution by Oct. 31 and to have the clerk record each oath.
Council member \"Mister boy\" moved the directive at the special finance committee meeting, saying, \"I would move to direct all boards and commission members who are directly appointed by Charleston County Council to take the oath of office found in article 6, section 5 of the South Carolina constitution before October 31, and that the clerk of counsel complete a record of the oaths from each board and commission member.\" The motion also asked the clerk and county attorney to review the county code of ordinances and return recommendations about provisions inconsistent with the directive.
The motion was seconded and survived a failed procedural effort to defer. A roll-call vote on the original motion produced seven ayes and two nays; the meeting record states, \"Motion passes with 7 eyes and 2 nays.\"
Why it matters: The council said the move will create an official record of oath compliance for locally appointed bodies and asked staff and the county attorney to identify any ordinance language or practices that must change to align with the directive.
Discussion and next steps: During debate, Council members asked for clarity about whether existing ordinances conflicted with the motion and about enforcement. The motion’s text included a note that \"failure to complete the oath may result in removal from office pursuant to rule 5 of the rules of counsel.\" The council directed the clerk of council and county attorney to review the county code and report back with recommended changes.
No implementation timeline beyond the Oct. 31 deadline was specified in the motion; the clerk was ordered to complete a record of the oaths.","Council voted to require all members of boards and commissions appointed directly by Charleston County Council to take the oath of office in Article VI, Section 5 of the South Carolina Constitution by Oct. 31 and ordered the clerk to record compliance; failure could result in removal under council rules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press council to act after Elbit Systems ships howitzers; speakers urge end to tax incentives

Public split as council holds hearing on Parkers Ferry overlay change to allow vehicle storage by special exception

Council advances Orange Hill development agreement, rezoning on Johns Island with second-reading approvals

Charleston County clears $2,000 one-time employee bonus in budget second reading amid debate

Charleston County Council directs appointed boards, commissions to take state oath by Oct. 31