Residents press council on building-code enforcement, county administrator’s contract and local land decisions

Residents used the public-comment period at Greenville County Council’s Nov. 18 meeting to press elected officials on building-code enforcement, transparency about the county administrator’s contract, and alleged planning department shortcomings.

Janie Santos, a District 19 resident and combat veteran, gave a detailed account of defective roof work she hired a national contractor to install in 2017. Santos said the roof was installed before a permit was issued, subcontractors weren’t licensed in South Carolina, and inspectors closed permits without verifying substrate or slope compliance. She asked council to require inspectors to document compliance with manufacturing standards, prohibit certain shingle installations on low-slope roofs, delay property-tax reassessments until work is verified, coordinate with state lawmakers to close licensing loopholes, and pause the statute of limitations while uncorrected violations remain.

Diane Vreeland returned during public comment to ask about the status of ‘Joe Cornell’s’ county administrator contract, quoting the timeline she was given (intentions communicated by 10/20/2025, contract expiration 01/20/2026) and asking whether council is preparing for an internal or nationwide search depending on his decision.

Other speakers included Ed Paxton, who criticized planning-office conduct regarding a county-owned tract, and Dr. Jeffrey G. Lawson, who recommended an ad hoc committee and use of budgeted funds to modernize county permitting and administration.

What’s next: Council did not announce decisions on the requests for changes to inspection practices or on the administrator’s contract during the meeting; councilors and staff acknowledged the issues and the administrator noted staff will publicize corrections to tax-bill errors and related communications.