County council holds vote on resolution supporting Greater Greenville Sanitation after heated public comments

Greenville County Council on a regular meeting heard multiple members of the public urge opposing positions on a resolution expressing support for the continued existence and powers of the Greater Greenville Sanitation District and then agreed to hold the resolution for two weeks to allow further discussion with the legislative delegation.

The debate followed extended public comment from residents and business representatives who took sharply different views of the district's operations and finances. The committee-recommended resolution had been amended in committee to remove a specific reference to House Bill 4002 after that bill failed in the state senate; Councilor Bradley moved the resolution as amended. Councilor Fant moved to hold the item for two weeks; that motion passed with one member recorded as voting no.

Why it matters: the resolution addresses a state-created special purpose sanitation district that levies millage and provides some solid-waste services in parts of Greenville County. Citizens, private haulers and industry representatives told council the district’s practices and transparency have significant local financial and service impacts; council’s action to hold the resolution preserves time for the county’s legislative delegation and stakeholders to continue negotiations before the council takes a final position.

Public comment and council actions Daniel Rumpfelt, a resident, said he supported sanitation employees but urged council to “stand up against the current administration and their use of funds,” adding the resolution would leave council “unnecessarily politically vulnerable.” Bruce Wilson, a resident who helped organize petitions and town-hall outreach, said he had spent days canvassing and lobbying in Columbia and asked council to review materials he left in members’ mailboxes, saying decorum in public debate had been lost.

David Davis, a resident of 112 Riverview Drive, criticized Greater Greenville’s millage and said the district collects taxes from businesses that, he said, receive no service. Ed Paxton, a long-time meeting attendee, used strong language to describe the item and urged council to identify who drafted the resolution. Jimmy Tory, manager at Republic Services, described being named in what he called a smear campaign and urged transparency, routine financial reviews and operational oversight of the district.

Council procedure and outcome Councilor Bradley moved adoption of a resolution “expressing its support for the Greater Greenville Sanitation District and concerns over legislative proposals in the South Carolina General Assembly,” and said the committee approved an amendment removing mentions of House Bill 4002. After discussion, Councilor Fant moved to hold the item for two weeks “in a spirit of cooperation” to allow continued work between the legislative delegation and county officials. The motion to hold was approved; the chair recorded one “no” vote but did not name the dissenting member.

What was not decided No final vote was taken on the resolution as a substantive approval or rejection. Several speakers and councilors discussed possible legislative remedies and regulatory oversight, but the transcript shows no ordinance or other binding county action dissolving or altering the district; multiple speakers and Councilor McGahee emphasized that only the state legislative delegation has legal authority to dissolve the district.

Votes at a glance (other items taken that evening) - CZ2025009 (rezoning at 40 Old Augusta Road extension to S-1): approved at third reading (voice vote recorded as ayes have it). - CZ2025010 (rezoning at 9 Springside Avenue to R-6): approved at third reading (ayes have it). - Augusta Grove 10 Investors LLC (fee in lieu of tax agreement): ordinance adopted at third reading; roll call: 8 in favor, 3 opposed, 1 abstain. - Greenville–Anderson multi-county industrial park agreement amendment (Cone Mills Acquisition Group LLC / Union Bleachery): ordinance adopted at third reading (ayes have it). - Resolution to designate a portion of Interstate 85 as Sergeant W. C. Jumper Highway: adopted (ayes have it). - Firearms sign policy ordinance (second reading): motion to hold for a public hearing on April 15 passed; item scheduled for public hearing. - Other appointments and committee reports: Greenville County Citizens Academy and Sheriff's Office Citizens Advisory Committee appointments were moved and recorded by the council.

Next steps The resolution supporting Greater Greenville Sanitation will remain on the council agenda and return for action after the two‑week hold. Councilors and speakers repeatedly noted that statutory authority to change or dissolve the sanitation district rests with the state legislature; local legislative delegates were described as actively engaged in discussion.