Laurens City Council authorizes hospitality revenue pledge for amphitheater, tables bond series and budget amendment

Laurens City Council on Tuesday approved a master ordinance authorizing the use of hospitality‑revenues to secure debt for a planned amphitheater, but members tabled the specific bond series and delayed a separate budget amendment that would have increased city employee pay.

The master ordinance (11‑25‑01) authorizes limited‑obligation hospitality revenue bonds and a hospitality fee pledge to support tourism‑related amenities, Mayor (unnamed) said during the council meeting. Council then voted to table the series ordinance (11‑25‑02), which would have authorized the specific $4.7–$4.75 million borrowing to finish the amphitheater project.

Why it matters: The move clears the legal pathway to borrow against hospitality receipts — a sales‑tax‑adjacent revenue stream — while preserving council’s ability to negotiate final terms and pick a lender. Councilors said they want clearer line‑item budgeting before approving related payroll increases.

Public comment and oversight concerns

Jake Cooper, a local business owner who addressed the council during the public‑comment period, urged caution. He asked whether the council had done “due diligence” on the loan terms and said the appointed project oversight group had not met since May 28. “When we’re fixing to vote on a $4,700,000 loan … our children are gonna be paying that back,” Cooper said, later quoting Luke 14:28: “For which of you desiring to build a tower does not first sit down and count the cost.”

Legal and financial briefing

Lawr…