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Council approves sale of West End Hall after debate over notice and valuation
Summary
Council approved conveyance of West End Hall to the school board by a 4–2 vote after councilmembers raised concerns over short notice, appraisal timing and nonmonetary benefits; a tabling motion was proposed but the sale vote was recorded 4–2.
Easley City Council approved an ordinance to convey city-owned property at 201 and 205 S. 5th Street (West End Hall) to the local school board after a contentious exchange about notice and valuation.
Councilwoman Rainey (Ward 3) said the proposed sale was added to the agenda without prior notice or an opportunity for councilmembers and residents to review the appraisal and supporting documents. She cited “South Carolina code 5740 and 5760,” saying municipal real estate sales should be conducted by ordinance with public notice and adequate time for deliberation. “Transparency and public engagement are not optional,” Rainey said, urging more time for review.
Councilman Alexander said an appraisal had been done more than a year earlier and described the school board’s proposed purchase price as roughly $900,000. Alexander moved to table the motion to give council more time to consider nonmonetary benefits and appraisal details. That tabling motion was seconded and put to a vote first; the chair then proceeded to consider the main motion to approve the sale. The recorded outcome for the sale motion was 4–2 in favor. The transcript does not show a named roll call attributing each vote to individual council members.
After the vote, one council member said some of Alexander’s statements were “not totally accurate,” prompting a point of order and an instruction to strike a comment from the record. The council did not revisit the sale during the meeting.
The council’s action transfers authority over the two parcels to the school board per the ordinance language introduced as Ordinance 2025-14. The transcript records the price discussed and council debate about timing and transparency; it does not include a full accounting of nonmonetary terms the school board may offer or whether additional public engagement will be scheduled.
