Votes at a glance: Aiken City Council approves two annexations, budget amendment, lease extension, accepts audit on first reading and adopts 2025 meeting dates

The Aiken City Council voted on several ordinances, a budget amendment and a resolution during its Dec. 9 meeting. All recorded motions passed by unanimous voice vote; individual roll-call votes were not recorded in the meeting transcript.

Annexation and zoning — 111 Jefferson Davis Highway (second reading) The council approved second reading of an ordinance to annex property at 111 Jefferson Davis Highway and zone it General Business (GB). Staff described the property as located at the intersection of Hitchcock Parkway and U.S. 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway) and said the applicant requested GB zoning for a quick‑change oil business. The planning commission unanimously recommended annexation and GB zoning and the ordinance was approved on second reading.

Annexation and zoning — 2122 Pine Log Road (second reading) Council approved second reading of an ordinance to annex property at 2122 Pine Log Road and zone it RS‑15 (residential single‑family). Staff said the parcel is adjacent to single‑family residences and that the planning commission unanimously recommended annexation and RS‑15 zoning.

Budget amendment for FY2024–25 (second reading) Council approved second reading of an ordinance amending the FY2024–25 budget for the Community Development Block Grant fund and the franchise fee fund. Staff told council that the amendment is needed in conjunction with two property purchases: the Jackson Petroleum parcel (staff said it is slated to close Dec. 20) and a parcel at the airport (staff said it is slated to close around Dec. 17). The budget amendment was approved on second reading.

Acceptance of FY2023–24 audited financial statements (first reading) Council approved first reading of an ordinance accepting the city’s FY2023–24 audited financial statements. Staff said the audit—conducted by Malden and Jenkins—produced an unqualified (clean) opinion with no material weaknesses or material instances of noncompliance. Council approved first reading; final action will follow the required process.

Lease extension — old Playhouse building, Virginia Acres Park (resolution) Council adopted a resolution authorizing a two‑year lease allowing Aiken Community Theater and Friends of the Best Friend to share use of the “old Playhouse” building at Virginia Acres Park. The resolution authorizes repairs not to exceed $5,000, with the cost split among the three parties (the city and the two lessees) and utilities to be paid 60% by the theater and 40% by the Friends of the Best Friend. Any additional repairs beyond the initial $5,000 were described as the responsibility of the two lessees.

Meeting schedule — 2025 Council adopted the proposed 2025 meeting schedule, keeping regular meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of each month with exceptions noted for holidays and seasonal changes, and scheduling a January 31 workshop at the newly renovated Smith Hazel as proposed.

How votes were recorded Most motions were made and seconded by named council members and the chair announced that each motion “passed unanimously.” The meeting transcript does not show a roll-call vote or a vote tally listing individual members.

Why this matters: The annexations and budget amendment enable specific property uses and city acquisitions, the lease preserves community arts and a museum partnership, and the audit acceptance confirms the city’s audited financial position for FY2023–24.