Chester County council approves fee-in-lieu deal, borrowing plan, tuition reimbursement policy and grant match

Chester County Council voted on multiple ordinances and resolutions in a single session, approving an incentive agreement for an industrial project, authorizing general-obligation borrowing for capital projects, adopting a tuition-reimbursement policy for county employees and authorizing up to $100,000 in local matching funds for a veterans-focused visitor project.

Ordinance 2025-12: fee-in-lieu tax agreement (third reading) Ordinance 2025-12, authorizing execution of a fee-in-lieu-of-ad-valorem-taxes agreement between Chester County and Chester PV 1 LLC and related project companies and enlarging a multi-county industrial and business park, passed on third reading. Council discussion included a question about which neighboring counties are part of the multi-county industrial park and whether Lancaster could be included; staff explained that a "multi-county industrial park" is a legal designation that requires contiguous counties and that designation is a policy decision for council. The motion to approve was made on the record and carried by voice/hand vote; individual roll-call votes were not recorded in the minutes.

Ordinance 2025-13: Project Eureka Mills (first reading, title only) Council approved first reading of ordinance 2025-13 in title only. The ordinance implements a project agreement to facilitate redevelopment of the old mill site and adjacent parcels for multifamily residential use, a small solar facility to serve that development, and refurbishment of one community softball field. Staff said the rezoning had already cleared third reading on May 5, 2025; the ordinance before council would waive development fees for the attainable-housing component and acknowledges that portions of some parcels may remain undeveloped due to environmental concerns.

Resolution 2025-13: capital projects and general-obligation borrowing Treasurer Darby presented resolution 2025-13, which identifies capital projects for general-obligation borrowing in calendar year 2025, updates projects tied to prior borrowings and allocates leftover project funds. Exhibit B (in the council packet) lists projects totaling $2,244,302.80; the county plans to use approximately $244,302.80 in leftover bond funds and $200,000 from the capital reserve to offset borrowing, leaving roughly $1.8 million to finance. Council approved the resolution by voice/hand vote.

Resolution 2025-14: tuition reimbursement policy Council approved changes to the Chester County employee personnel handbook to add a tuition reimbursement policy (resolution 2025-14). Under the policy, full-time employees with at least 12 months of service may receive reimbursement for approved, job-related coursework taken at accredited institutions at the in-state per-credit rate; reimbursement is 100% for an A, 75% for a B and 50% for a C. The county budget allocated $8,000 for the program for the fiscal year; reimbursements are first-come, first-served until funds are exhausted. Employees who voluntarily leave within 24 months after reimbursement must repay the funds on a prorated basis. Council approved the resolution by voice/hand vote.

Grant match: Undiscovered SC (Veterans History Center) Council approved a motion to commit up to $100,000 in local matching funds for an application to South Carolina Parks, Recreation & Tourism’s Undiscovered SC grant program to fund the Gateway to Chester County Veterans History Center (see separate article). The Undiscovered grant is reimbursement-based, can award $50,000–$200,000 and requires a 20-year commitment to retain ownership and operation; the county will fund design and construction costs up front and be reimbursed if awarded. The motion to approve up to $100,000 passed by voice/hand vote.

Votes and formality Most approvals were taken by voice/hand vote; motions and seconds were recorded on the record but individual council members’ yes/no votes were not recorded in transcript excerpts. Where discussion occurred, staff provided explanatory details (see related articles).