Florence City Council adopts 2025–26 budget, approves zoning and code changes; hospitality bond set for executive review

The Florence City Council at its June meeting adopted the city's fiscal year 2025'26 budget and approved multiple ordinances and resolutions, while scheduling further discussion in executive session on a proposed hospitality-fee revenue bond.

The council voted to adopt the fiscal year 2025'26 budget (bill 2025-17) by voice vote after a second reading. Council members then approved a second-reading amendment to the current fiscal year budget (bill 2025-18); an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance addressing cemetery preservation (bill 2025-19); a rezoning of 1203 Sopkin Avenue from CA to NC-16-1 (bill 2025-20); and an annexation and zoning ordinance for a 1.467-acre lot on Tuscano Drive (bill 2025-21). All of those measures passed on second reading by voice vote.

On first reading, the council approved an amendment to the city's business license ordinance (bill 2025-23) that would formalize the city manager's policy not to request state or federal income tax returns as part of initial business license registration or annual renewal, consistent with Act 176. The council also introduced a series ordinance authorizing the terms and sale of up to $15.1 million in hospitality-fee revenue bonds (bill 2025-24) for hospitality fund projects; councilmembers moved to take the hospitality-bond item up in executive session for further consideration.

The council adopted Resolution 2025-12 to accept a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation of $144,189 for fiscal year 2025'26. Staff reported the proposed CDBG budget would direct roughly $68,308 for planning and administration, about $190,000 for emergency rehabilitation, $60,000 for down-payment assistance and $25,000 to the My Brother's Keeper program (staff presented these line items based on community input and prior program use). The staff presentation noted CDBG funds must address slum or blight, benefit low- and moderate-income residents, or meet urgent needs under program rules.

Council also approved several ceremonial resolutions: Resolution 2025-19 honoring Crewe Wine & Tap for downtown revitalization efforts; a proclamation recognizing June 2025 as Home Ownership Month; and Resolution 2025-21 recognizing Bishop Donald Jackson on his retirement from Francis Marion University. Resolution 2025-18 was deferred earlier in the meeting.

Votes at a glance (as recorded on the public record): - Bill 2025-17, Ordinance to raise revenue and adopt the FY2025'26 budget — second reading; motion carried (voice vote: ayes). Outcome: approved. - Bill 2025-18, Ordinance to amend FY2024'25 budget — second reading; motion carried (voice vote: ayes). Outcome: approved. - Bill 2025-19, Ordinance to amend the Unifying Development Ordinance regarding cemetery preservation — second reading; motion carried (voice vote: ayes). Outcome: approved. - Bill 2025-20, Ordinance to rezone 1203 Sopkin Avenue from CA to NC-16-1 — second reading; motion carried (voice vote: ayes). Outcome: approved. - Bill 2025-21, Ordinance to annex and zone 1.467 acres on Tuscano Drive — second reading; motion carried (voice vote: ayes). Outcome: approved. - Bill 2025-23, Ordinance to amend the business license ordinance (state/federal tax- return language) — first reading; motion carried (voice vote: ayes). Outcome: advanced (first reading adopted). - Bill 2025-24, Series ordinance authorizing up to $15,100,000 in hospitality-fee revenue bonds (Series 2025) — first reading; council moved to discuss in executive session. Outcome: introduced; executive-session review requested. - Resolution 2025-12, Adopt CDBG budget for FY2025'26 (allocation $144,189) — motion carried (voice vote: ayes). Outcome: approved. Staff outline: planning/admin ~ $68,308; emergency rehab ~ $190,000 (described as "just over" $190,000); down payment assistance $60,000; My Brother's Keeper $25,000 (amounts reported by staff; council adopted the CDBG budget as presented). - Resolution 2025-19 (honoring Crewe Wine & Tap) — adopted. Outcome: approved. - Proclamation recognizing June 2025 as Home Ownership Month — adopted. Outcome: approved. - Resolution 2025-21 (recognition for Bishop Donald Jackson) — adopted. Outcome: approved. - Resolution 2025-18 — deferred until representatives can attend. Outcome: deferred.

Councilmembers voted by voice in the public record; the minutes record "ayes" and no roll-call tallies for these votes. Where roll-call vote counts or individual votes were not entered on the public record, the council's action is recorded here as "approved" by voice vote. The hospitality-fee bond ordinance was introduced and referred to executive session for further legal discussion and negotiation of terms.

The council indicated staff will proceed with CDBG projects as budgeted and return with any required follow-up on bond terms after executive session. No additional action was recorded on the bond ordinance in open session.