West Columbia council gives first reading to 2025 budget ordinance, approves agreements and auditor appointment, and adjourns to executive session

The City of West Columbia council on May 20 conducted a series of routine and legislative actions: council gave first reading to an ordinance enacting the fiscal year 2025 budget beginning July 2025 and to an ordinance adopting a supplement to the city code; it approved a resolution authorizing alcohol consumption at the River Alliance's Javey Street Bridal dinner; updated mutual aid agreements with the City of Casey and with Midlands Technical College Police Department; appointed the Bridal Group as city auditor for a four-year term; accepted first reading of two planning commission rezoning recommendations; and unanimously adjourned to an executive session to discuss personnel matters under South Carolina Code Annotated section 30-4-70(a)(1).

The council gave first reading to the ordinance "enacting a budget for the fiscal year beginning July 2025," a procedural step required before final adoption. The council also gave first reading to an ordinance "enacting and adopting a supplement to the code of ordinances for the City of West Columbia." Both first readings passed unanimously with the council indicating no discussion.

The council approved a resolution authorizing the consumption of alcoholic beverages at the Javey Street Bridal dinner, an event hosted by the River Alliance scheduled for Oct. 26, 2025. The chair announced the motion passed "8 to 1." The council recorded the item as not a first reading matter and the resolution passed at the meeting.

Council approved updates to mutual aid or law enforcement assistance agreements with the City of Casey Police Department and with Midlands Technical College Police Department; staff explained the updates reflect changes in leadership at those agencies. Both agreements were approved unanimously.

The council appointed the Bridal Group as the city auditor for a four-year term ending June 30, 2029. The mayor or chair introduced the motion and council approved it unanimously.

On planning matters the council accepted first reading of a rezoning recommendation from the planning commission for a single parcel at 1704 Augusta Road (0.43 acres, tax map number 004641-02-001) to C-2 General Commercial from a split C-2/R-2 designation; the planning commission vote on that request was 4-1. A council member asked whether a buffer could be required along the rear of the lot facing a residential street; the councilor said the request was otherwise acceptable. The council also accepted first reading of a recommendation to establish C-2 zoning for a partial parcel of 0.48 acres at 1083 Harbor Drive (tax map number 4597-04-002). Both rezoning items received first reading approval.

The council voted to adjourn to executive session to discuss appointments to boards and commissions and personnel matters related to the city clerk, citing South Carolina Code Annotated section 30-4-70(a)(1). The motion to go into executive session was approved unanimously; the chair stated the council may or may not take action upon returning to open session.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes (items 7.1, 7.2, 7.3): unanimous approval. - Ordinance, first reading, FY2025 budget (item 8.1): unanimous first reading approval. - Ordinance, first reading, supplement to code (item 8.2): unanimous first reading approval. - Resolution authorizing alcohol consumption at Javey Street Bridal dinner (item 8.3): passed 8-1. - Law enforcement assistance agreement with City of Casey Police Department (item 8.4): unanimous approval. - Law enforcement assistance agreement with Midlands Technical College Police Department (item 8.5): unanimous approval. - Appointment of Bridal Group as city auditor, term to 06/30/2029 (item 8.6): unanimous approval. - Rezoning, 1704 Augusta Road (item 8.7): first reading approved; planning commission vote 4-1; council asked about buffer on residential edge. - Rezoning, 1083 Harbor Drive (item 8.8): first reading approved. - Motion to adjourn to executive session under S.C. Code Ann. —730-4-70(a)(1): unanimous approval.

Several items were handled with minimal discussion. The council indicated some planning commission details (a 4-1 vote on 1704 Augusta Road) and a council member's request for a buffer were noted for further consideration as the rezoning advances.