Sumter County council approves easement, business-license update and first reading tied to Project Peanut

At its meeting, Sumter County Council approved a set of ordinances and took other procedural actions affecting property, business licensing and transportation.

Racetrack Road / Project Peanut: Council approved first reading of Ordinance 25-10-39, which authorizes options to purchase and a right of first refusal on parcels along Racetrack Road tied to ongoing economic-development activity referenced as "Project Peanut." The measure includes negotiated 3-year options priced at $15,000 per acre for certain tracts and a subsequent two-year right of first refusal based on fair market value.

Business license update: Council approved third reading of Ordinance 25-10-37, amending the business license rate schedule (Appendix A) so the county conforms with a Standardization Act adopted by the General Assembly and the municipal association’s updated Appendix B. The only change from the prior draft corrected a missed $2–$2.50 increment for rate class 8.6, according to staff.

SCDOT easement: Council approved second reading of Ordinance 25-10-38 to grant a temporary laydown-area easement to the South Carolina Department of Transportation for bridge work near McLaughlin Ford; DOT will pay $5,100 for the temporary easement.

Staff reports and public works: County administrator Mixon reported the county has received 29 private-road applications since the Oct. 1 opening and staff will follow up with applicants in early December to confirm signatures and current status. During public comment, a resident raised concerns about Jimmy Street and said a property at 1650 South Ginyard Parkway is slated for county-funded clearance and demolition; county staff said they would check and follow up.

Next steps: Ordinance 25-10-39 will return for a subsequent reading; adopted ordinances will be implemented per the county’s administrative schedule.