Administrator outlines grants, Rodman completion, animal shelter delays and audit-extension tied to ongoing investigation
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Summary
Administrator Hester reported two CDBG awards for emergency services vehicles, near-completion of Rodman Soccer Complex with a planned February ribbon-cutting, animal shelter construction delays (projected completion April 19, 2026), ambulance fleet delivery timing, and a fiscal-audit extension related to an ongoing SLED investigation in the Richburg Fire District.
County Administrator Hester delivered a comprehensive status update covering grants, capital projects, fleet replacement and an audit delay tied to a criminal investigation.
Hester said the county received Community Development Block Grant awards: $300,000 for a Westchester EMS ambulance and $750,000 for a Great Falls Fire District service truck. "Chester County is the first county ... to ever receive a grant for an ambulance under the CDBG program," Hester said, and credited staff for rapidly gathering income surveys that supported the applications.
Project updates included near-completion of the Rodman Soccer Complex (punch-list items and engineered hood-system fixes remain) with a ribbon-cutting planned in February; the Lewis Fire Station repairs were completed under warranty; animal-shelter masonry and medical corridor work are under way with a projected April 19, 2026 completion though the project is 33 days behind schedule. Hester also reported two ambulances are on order with expected delivery in August 2026 and explained that Fort Lawn ambulance service will begin Feb. 9 using an available spare vehicle.
Hester informed council the county filed for an extension on the FY2025 audit with the Office of the State Treasurer after SLED opened a criminal investigation into alleged fraud at the Richburg Fire District; the audit deadline is extended to March 31, 2026 and the state treasurer may withhold funds if the audit is not completed.
The report included a planning-grant application to fund engineering for a J Cochran Bypass corridor project and potential multimillion-dollar implementation grants if planning succeeds.
Council thanked staff for the grant work and asked that staff continue to brief council as projects progress.