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Council hears engineering report on Pecan Orchard flooding; staff to pursue state grant and refer to finance committee
Summary
An engineering study of Pecan Orchard flooding estimated about $1.2 million in construction work to reduce recurring inundation; the county will pursue a state RIA grant (75% construction) and asked the finance committee to prepare a local match plan.
Kershaw County council members and neighbors heard an engineering assessment of chronic flooding in the Pecan Orchard subdivision and directed staff to pursue a state infrastructure grant and return funding options to the finance committee.
Councilman Russell Jones introduced the item and showed photos of deep, recurring flows across driveways and yards. The county contracted Michael Baker International to study the neighborhood and propose projects. Company staff told the council they developed a package of improvements to improve conveyance to three primary outfalls and recommended construction plans; the consultant estimated a construction‑phase cost in the neighborhood of $1.2 million as a planning figure.
Consultants and county staff said the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) grant program could fund up to 75% of construction if the county files a compliant application by the program deadline (the consultant indicated a March 17 submittal and an 8–10‑week selection window). Staff emphasized an important grant rule: starting construction before award typically renders an applicant ineligible for reimbursement. County staff said they would verify whether initial design and procurement costs can be reimbursed if the grant is later awarded.
Council members discussed phasing and whether to prioritize specific ditching, road‑crowning and detention improvements; the consultant explained the neighborhood contains three separate outfalls and projects were organized by outfall to allow phasing if the council preferred. Council directed staff to refer the item to the finance committee so members could identify potential local match and recommend a funding plan; council members also asked staff to consult RIA about whether aggregated countywide stormwater proposals or discrete neighborhood applications would be preferred.
The council and staff said they would pursue the grant application and return to the finance committee and full council with a recommended funding approach and construction schedule. County staff noted that an RIA award would require the county to identify and commit local matching funds during the application process.
