Aiken City Council approves multiple zoning changes, budget amendments, opioid recovery funding and tax-assessment update

Aiken City Council on March 24 voted on a package of ordinances and resolutions covering zoning and annexation, disaster grant funding, opioid recovery dollars and changes to tax-assessment rules for rehabilitated historic properties.

The votes included unanimous approvals on a second-reading budget amendment to accept disaster assistance grant funds from the South Carolina Housing Trust Fund, a budget amendment adding opioid recovery funding to the public safety budget, and an amendment to the city code aligning special real property tax assessments for rehabilitated historic properties with state rules. Council also approved several first‑reading zoning and annexation requests and a set of appointments to city boards and commissions.

Why it matters: The package combines near-term budget changes that add dedicated resources for home repairs and opioid response with land‑use approvals that will shape new housing and subdivision plans. The tax assessment change is intended to expand tools available to encourage rehabilitation of historic structures.

Key outcomes

- Disaster assistance grant: Council approved on second reading an ordinance to amend the FY2024–25 budget to…