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Council OKs inmate medical coverage changes, orders two fire pumpers and approves $159,561 for Winding Woods utilities
Summary
Dorchester County Council authorized a 24-hour inmate medical services contract amendment, voted to order two fire engine pumpers (long lead times), and approved $159,561.63 from land-sale proceeds for water and wastewater line extensions in Winding Woods Commerce Park; council also heard public comments on hydrants and homelessness.
Dorchester County Council on Feb. 3 approved three operational items: using detention-center savings to expand inmate medical coverage to 24-hour service, ordering two fire engine pumpers (to be acquired in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 because of long lead times), and spending $159,561.63 from proceeds of a land sale for water and wastewater extensions in Winding Woods Commerce Park.
County Administrator Jason Ward presented the items and asked council to authorize the Sheriff's Office to use savings in the detention center budget to amend the existing inmate medical services contract to provide 24-hour coverage; council approved the request unanimously.
Ward also asked for approval to place orders for two engine pumpers because custom build lead times can reach up to 24 months; council approved the purchase and funds allocation unanimously. Fire department leaders said the trucks would be placed into a regular replacement plan and older trucks would be cascaded to volunteer stations.
Fire Chief (presenting) said the department moved from many volunteer units into a countywide paid system about 13 years ago and has been updating frontline apparatus. He noted one unit in service has about 15,000 miles and other apparatus are approaching NFPA-recommended retirement thresholds. "It's 25 years old, which under NFPA guidelines is actually asked to be retired according to NFPA," the chief said in describing aging equipment and the justification for a replacement plan.
Council also approved spending $159,561.63 from proceeds of a Winding Woods Commerce Park land sale to extend water and sewer lines in that park.
Public comments at the meeting touched on local water infrastructure and fire protection. Resident Tommy Fagan said a recent house fire revealed a lack of nearby hydrants and older water mains; county staff and officials answered that the county participates with regional water authorities and that recent agreements increased county allocations. County staff said an increase of 1,800,000 gallons (to a total of 3,000,000 gallons) through the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency was part of the county's effort to extend hydrants along new transmission lines.
Ending: All three items passed unanimously; council directed staff to proceed with contracts and procurement and to continue coordination with regional water authorities and municipal partners on hydrants and infrastructure.
