Council approves Racetrack Road option, business license update and DOT easement

Sumter County Council approved multiple ordinances at its meeting, including a land-option tied to an economic development project, routine business-license updates and a temporary easement for the state Department of Transportation.

Councilmember Bridal (speaker identified in the transcript as Mr. Bridal) described ordinance 25 10 39 (Racetrack Road) as authorizing an option to purchase and a right of first refusal tied to renegotiation with Nova Molecular in connection with 'Project Peanut.' The renegotiation reduces some previously-held options and creates a 3-year option priced at $15,000 per acre on a small sliver of land and a subsequent 2-year right of first refusal based on fair market value. Council approved first reading by voice vote.

Council then considered ordinance 25 10 37, the biennial business-license update required to conform with the state Standardization Act and the Municipal Association's Appendix B. The only substantive change from previous discussion was a restored $2.50 increment in Appendix A rate class 8.6 for income over $2,000, which staff said had been an inadvertent omission. No members of the public spoke during the item and council adopted the ordinance on third reading by voice vote.

Finally, council approved second reading of ordinance 25 10 38 to grant a temporary easement to the South Carolina Department of Transportation for use as a lay-down area during nearby bridge work. The easement covers a small triangular parcel and DOT will pay $5,100 for the temporary use, the county said.

All three items passed by voice vote as recorded in the meeting transcript; the ordinance numbers are 25 10 39 (first reading approved), 25 10 37 (adopted on third reading) and 25 10 38 (second reading approved).