Lexington County Council approves Technoblock PILOT, budget first reading and series of grants, appointments and purchases

Lexington County Council on April 22, 2025 in Lexington approved a package of routine resolutions, appointments, grant applications and budget amendments and adopted an ordinance authorizing a fee‑in‑lieu of ad valorem taxes agreement for Technoblock Corporation.

The council approved Ordinance 24‑09 on third and final reading, a fee‑in‑lieu and Special Source Revenue Credit agreement tied to a project identified in the meeting as “Project Terrace” (Technoblock Corporation). The council also took first reading by title of the county’s annual budget ordinance (Ordinance 25‑08) and approved a range of smaller items including grant applications, board appointments, budget amendments and capital/purchase awards.

Votes at a glance: Council recorded roll calls on each formal action. Most votes were unanimous among members present (Councilwoman Kerig, Councilwoman Wessinger, Councilman Cockrell, Councilman Hudson, Councilman Bridal, Councilman Brigham, Councilman Bishop, Vice Chair Conwell and Chairman Cullum). Key outcomes included the following.

• Ordinance 24‑09: Adopted (third reading). Motion: “Motion to approve ordinance 24‑09” (mover: Mr. Hudson; second: Mr. Bridal). Subject: Authorize execution and delivery of a fee‑in‑lieu of ad valorem taxes and special source revenue credit agreement between Lexington County and Technoblock Corporation (Project Terrace), with related multi‑county industrial and business park benefits. Vote: unanimous by roll call.

• Ordinance 25‑08 (FY2026 annual budget): Passed first reading by title only (motion to approve first reading; mover and seconder recorded). Council scheduled in‑depth work sessions to consider department requests and potential personnel additions before final readings.

• Resolutions: Adopted a resolution recognizing May 2025 as National Public Works Week and a resolution recognizing July 4, 2025 as Lexington County Peach Festival Day. Both passed by unanimous roll call.

• Appointments (boards & commissions): James Sinclair — Health & Human Services Board (nominated by Mr. Bishop; second by Mr. Bridal) — approved unanimously. Capital Project Sales Tax commission: Laura Touchberry, Lillian Hayes and J.R. Kauffman were appointed to fill three positions; each appointment passed on roll call votes.

• Grants and grant applications: Council approved applying for the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to update the Kinley Creek study (cost‑share noted as 25%); approved the Lexington County Library’s E‑Rate application and the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Summer Reading and Learning Program grant; and approved applying for an ASPCA rescue/“rescue effect” campaign grant for Lexington County Animal Services. Each motion passed on roll call.

• Committee/Council actions: Approved a quitclaim deed for an abandoned portion of Lewis Ross Road (request from a private property owner) following Committee of the Whole consideration; approved three purchase awards (2025 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles; site improvements for Bakersburg‑Leesville Industrial Park Parcel 1; and award of the 2025 RFP O‑8 residential recycling and solid‑waste education application); and approved five budget amendment items, including a $2.2 million HOME‑ARP appropriation transfer for a property purchase for the Homeless No More project and a consolidation of funds for the Lexington County Sheriff’s Lewis McCarty firearms range and training facility.

All recorded votes included the council members on the roll calls listed above. Where a mover or seconder was recorded in the transcript, that name is listed; where the motion was made from the dais without a named mover in the transcript, the article reports the motion and the roll call outcome.

The council concluded the public hearing calendar for the evening with a zoning map amendment public hearing (M24‑01, 5327 Bush River Road) and did not take a vote on that rezoning request at this meeting.