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Votes at a glance: Richland County Council approves conservation contribution, several fee-in-lieu agreements, budget amendment and property sale
Summary
At its Nov. 18 meeting, Richland County Council approved a $75,000 conservation contribution toward a 71.66‑acre Harbison State Forest acquisition, multiple economic development fee‑in‑lieu commitments/agreements, a public‑defender position budget amendment, and the sale of land to SCDOT; several reconsideration motions failed.
Richland County Council recorded a set of affirmative votes on Nov. 18 across conservation, economic development, budget, and real-estate items. Key outcomes included:
- Conservation contribution (item 9b): Council approved a $75,000 contribution from the Conservation Commission (acquisition funds) to partner with the Congaree Land Trust on a $1,413,000 purchase of 71.66 acres adjacent to Harbison State Forest. The conservation commission will not transfer ownership to the county; purchase proceeds and stewardship were presented as part of the recommendation.
- Economic development (items 15a–15e and related): Council approved committee recommendations to commit to negotiate and to proceed with fee-in-lieu (FILOT) agreements for several projects described in packet materials, including Project Clinch and Project Rocky, and expansion of the I‑77 Corridor Regional Industrial Park boundary to include property associated with Columbia Multifamily Investments, LLC. Some of these items were first readings where required; motions were approved by roll call per committee recommendations.
- Third reading approvals (items 13a–13b): Council approved a conveyance of county property to Prisma Health Midlands by quitclaim deed (third reading) and approved a fee-in-lieu of ad valorem tax incentive for Eastover Chips Inc (project previously identified as "Project Price"). Motions were moved and approved by roll call.
- Budget amendment (item 14b): Council approved an ordinance amending the FY2026 budget (Ordinance No. 037-25HR) to add one full-time equivalent position to the Public Defender's Office.
- Real‑estate sale (item 14c): Council approved sale of 0.267 acres of W/S Ferrell Road (TMS R17600-01-33) to the South Carolina Department of Transportation for intersection improvements.
Several motions to reconsider earlier approvals were moved at the meeting (including reconsideration of the conservation contribution and later of items 13a/13b) but failed on roll call.
Ending: The council completed its docket of votes without reversing previously recorded approvals; items requiring further substantive debate (such as the airport ordinance) were left for additional analysis or future consideration.
