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Finance committee outlines recreation projects, funding sources and new reinspection fees; boat ramp near completion
Summary
Kershaw County's finance committee reported progress on several recreation projects funded with ARPA, OPERA and other sources, said the county did not borrow for the work, and explained a new reinspection fee schedule for building permits. The county also confirmed no outstanding debt on the recent projects and plans ribbon cuttings as work wraps.
Kershaw County's finance committee provided a status report on Sept. 23 covering recreation and infrastructure projects, funding sources and proposed inspection fee changes for the building department.
Committee chair Councilman Brent Tucker told council the county expects the Wateree boat ramp project to close by the end of the month and that the project will finish "about $65,000 to $66,000 to the good," meaning under budget, based on the committee's review. Other projects funded largely with ARPA/OPERA funds and capital rollovers include Woodward Park (50–60% complete), Boyd and Copeland athletic fields (about 90% complete, estimated Nov. 8 completion) and Kershaw West parking and driveway improvements (about 85% complete).
Tucker and staff laid out the funding picture: a combination of federal/state grant money, ATAX (tourism) funds, ARPA, OPERA funds and capital rollover funds were used to complete projects; the finance committee emphasized the county did not borrow or bond money for these projects. "We owe no one on these projects," Tucker said.
On building‑department fees, the committee reviewed a reinspection schedule intended to reduce repeated failed inspections and protect staff capacity. Councilman Tucker recited the tiers the committee approved: "they'll pay $50 for your first reinspection fee, then your next reinspection fee is $100. The next one's 200. The next one's 400, and it will cap at 400." The purpose, staff said, is to encourage builders and contractors to correct faults before reinspection and to limit repeated site visits that stretch a small inspection staff.
Council members also asked about stop‑work orders and enforcement. Planning staff explained that a violation of a stop‑work order triggers a notice of violation with a corrective period; continued noncompliance can lead to a summons and prosecution coordinated with the county attorney.
The committee discussed Musco electric lighting and state procurement contracts used for athletic‑field illumination, noted work to align lighting procurement to state contracts for savings, and flagged ongoing punch‑list items and irrigation/water testing work at parks. The report also noted a $6 million contribution from a local health‑district fund toward recreation improvements and the use of tourism tax (ATAX) dollars for specified projects.
Ending: Committee chair Tucker said staff will set ribbon‑cutting dates when projects are complete. Council members praised staff coordination and the use of multiple funding sources to complete countywide recreation upgrades without new borrowing.
