Aiken City Council approves multiple annexations and concept-plan changes, advances budget and utility rate measures

Aiken City Council on May 12 approved a slate of land‑use ordinances and unanimously advanced several budget and utility measures after staff presentations and brief council discussion.

The council passed second readings and public hearings for concept‑plan amendments and multiple annexations and zoning requests, unanimously authorized economic development incentives for a workforce housing project, and took first‑reading votes to set the millage rate at 60 mills and to raise water, sewer and stormwater fees as part of the city’s proposed 2025–26 budget process.

Why it matters: the measures approved or advanced affect development patterns and housing supply (including a 60‑unit workforce housing project), the city’s utility revenue and rates, and the timing of capital projects such as a new water plant and stormwater maintenance. Several items approved on second reading take effect sooner; first‑reading items (millage, utility rate and budget ordinances) will return to council for final consideration as part of the regular ordinance process.

Most significant actions

Wellers Ridge workforce housing inducement: The council approved on second reading an ordinance authorizing economic development incentives under City of Aiken ordinance No. 08132018 for a project by Wellers Ridge SC LLC. Staff described the project as a 60‑unit workforce housing complex with a $16,600,000 investment, scheduled for completion in November 2025. The package includes a small number of deeply affordable units (staff said six units for households…