Hampton County Council voted on Dec. 15 to approve a revised county credit-card policy, authorize tax-credit incentives for a new industrial project and adopt a year-end budget reconciliation ordinance.

The credit-card policy (Item 8.2) was presented as a measure to strengthen financial controls and reduce the number of county-issued cards. The administrator said the county would reduce cards to two for recurring purchases — one to be kept by the sheriff for departmental use and one managed by county purchasing — and stressed monthly reconciliation requirements. Council debated whether an additional prepaid or emergency card should be available after hours; a motion to table that item failed for lack of a second, and the council ultimately approved the policy while asking the administrator to research a prepaid emergency card option.

On ordinance 9.1(a), the council gave final (third) reading approval for a special source revenue credit agreement with Iron Line Meadows LLC. A county presenter, Mr. McCain, said Project Iron Line will create about 20 new jobs in the town of Yemassee and represent a roughly $6.5 million investment in the county. Councilmembers asked whether the town of Yemassee’s concerns had been addressed; Mr. McCain said he attended the town council meeting and agreed to more diligent future outreach with municipalities on similar projects.

On ordinance 9.1(b), the council approved an amendment to the FY2024–25 budget to reflect year-end reconciliation and interdepartmental adjustments so the finance department can submit the state-required audit by Dec. 31. Michelle Gaston, speaking for finance, said the ordinance is the last step in the year-end closeout process and that the audit is a state requirement. The administrator later described the draft 2025 audit as showing the county had moved from a multi-year deficit to a positive balance (roughly a $1.6 million undersigned positive balance), while noting cash-on-hand remains a concern.

Votes and formal motions recorded on the transcript were voice/hand-raising approvals without roll-call tallies reported in the public record for each item. Council instructed staff to return with more information on emergency procurement options and the reconciliation plan for outstanding invoices.

What's next: Administrator to report back on the feasibility and controls for a prepaid emergency card and to present a strategy in January to address outstanding invoices and cash-on-hand issues ahead of audit finalization.