Fort Mill Council approves first readings for fire-truck purchases and property sale, authorizes downtown events

Fort Mill Town Council voted on multiple measures at a regularly scheduled meeting, approving first reading of a budget amendment to buy two fire engines, clearing the way to sell the municipal building at 112 Confederate Street and authorizing downtown event dates for 2025.

The council’s action on the fire-department purchase was the most substantial fiscal item. The budget amendment 25-6 authorizes ordering two engines: one “stock unit” with a not-to-exceed purchase price of $1,100,000 with payment due at delivery (estimated 5–8 months), and a second custom-built engine priced at a little over $1,300,000 with payment due on delivery estimated in 48–51 months. Eric Davis, a town staff member presenting the item, said the amendment “will allow for the order and purchase of 2 fire trucks as described in the staff report.” The council approved the first reading of the amendment.

Why it matters: council members and staff said long manufacturer lead times require ordering well before equipment is needed. The town described the purchase as a mix of a quickly available stock unit and a longer-lead custom engine to meet specific local needs and to support planned station and fleet growth.

The council also approved on first reading an ordinance authorizing the sale of the town-owned building at 112 Confederate Street, the current site of council chambers, municipal court and the police department. Town Manager Carrie Vargo said operations are expected to relocate to the new Town Hall at 205 North White Street by March 28, and the expected closing on the Confederate Street property is April 11. Because the council had previously approved the sale, this action was moved forward as the first reading of the required ordinance; Councilmember Moody recused from that item and did not participate in the vote.

Related to that sale, the council approved a separate first-reading ordinance to enter a short-term lease with David Martin for approximately 4,343 square feet at 112 Confederate Street to house a 9-1-1 communications center and accessory police uses. The lease term begins on closing and runs through Feb. 28 (with six one-month extension options) to bridge operations while construction of permanent 9-1-1 and police facilities is completed.

Events and process changes: the council approved a resolution authorizing the town’s recommended downtown event dates for 2025 and voted to change the town’s internal authorization process for town-hosted events. Chris Sardelli presented the downtown events calendar; the council approved the list and asked staff to post road-closure updates and related notices on the town website and social media roughly a week before each event. Separately, staff proposed — and council approved on first reading — an ordinance to streamline approvals for town-hosted events so the town manager may sign off on routine authorizations (including limited noise and special-event beer/wine approvals) instead of requiring a separate council vote for each event. Council members stressed they want the same line-item detail and public input available during the annual budget process so the council maintains oversight while avoiding duplicative approvals.

Stormwater award and county watershed work: the council heard a presentation recognizing the Watershed Evaluation Team (WET) — a multi-jurisdictional group including Fort Mill, York County, the cities of York and Rock Hill, Catawba Regional Council of Governments and the Catawba Indian Nation — for winning the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services Power of Partnerships Award. The town’s stormwater manager, Leanne Clark, and Public Utilities Director Greg Rushing joined the presentation. The town said watershed plans completed for Big Dutchman Creek and Tools Fork were funded by grants and that plans for Burgess Creek, Six Mile Creek and parts of Fishing Creek are in progress; as plans finish, staff will pursue implementation funding.

Public comment and staff responses: a resident, Millie Havrilla of Bonds Lane in the Millbank/Millbank neighborhood, raised several local maintenance concerns — a pronounced road “bump” on Academy/Banks Road, a leaning tree near a roadway, a rusty electrical transformer and dim street lighting near St. Philip Mary’s Church. The mayor and staff explained that the identified roads are maintained by South Carolina Department of Transportation, advised residents they can and should also report problems directly to DOT, and said Duke Energy is responsible for pole- and transformer-related issues. Staff offered to take pictures from the resident and follow up with relevant agencies.

Other items and community notes: council approved second reading of budget amendment 25-5 (no changes since public hearing) and approved minutes from prior meetings. Councilmembers noted community milestones: the Isaiah 117 House groundbreaking in York County (a temporary placement home for children removed from unsafe situations), a call for stormwater intern applications, and the recent passing of longtime community member Larry Huntley, for whom councilmembers shared memories.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (Jan. 27, Feb. 3 and Feb. 2025): approved. - Budget amendment 25-5 (second reading): approved; no changes since first reading. - Resolution authorizing downtown events (2025): approved. - Budget amendment 25-6 (first reading) — purchase/order of two fire engines (one stock engine ≤ $1,100,000; one custom engine ≈ $1,300,000; lead times ~5–8 months and 48–51 months): approved (first reading). - Ordinance amending town event authorization process (first reading): approved (first reading). - Ordinance authorizing sale of 112 Confederate Street (first reading): approved; Councilmember Moody recused. - Ordinance authorizing lease with David Martin for ~4,343 sq ft at 112 Confederate Street (first reading): approved.

What’s next: several items were approved on first reading and will return for later readings as required by ordinance. Staff said they will post event road-closure schedules and related public information online and pursue grant funding as watershed plans are completed. The transfer of town operations to the new Town Hall and the April closing on Confederate Street were listed as upcoming milestones.