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Fairfield County presents audit on time, reports detention‑center staff changes and approves courthouse security invoices
Summary
County administrator reported the audit was received by the Dec. 31 deadline; detention‑center director, deputy director and training captain were terminated and an acting director named; council accepted $100,000 in ASPP EMS funds for a study; council approved remaining courthouse/rec center security invoices (vote recorded 6‑yes, 1 abstain).
Fairfield County officials told the County Council on Jan. 12, 2025 that the county's fiscal audit was received in Columbia by Dec. 31, meeting the statutory deadline, and the county will present the audit formally at the next meeting.
County Administrator (Carpenter) reported a personnel action at the detention center: following a South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy finding regarding training, the detention‑center director, deputy director and training captain were terminated on Jan. 7; Director Price has been named acting director while the county conducts a search for permanent replacements. Carpenter said the county is committed to running the detention center in compliance with state and federal regulations.
Carpenter also introduced Neely Thomason as the new animal shelter manager. Thomason, who described herself as having worked in the department for under two years and rising through kennel attendant to shelter roles, said she is "very excited" to step into the position and looks forward to changes at the shelter.
On grants and contracts, Carpenter said Fairfield County joined the state's ASPP EMS reallocation program and will accept a roughly $100,000 award to fund an EMS study. The administrator framed the funds as previously unused grant dollars reallocated to worthy local uses and said the money will pay for a study of EMS needs and services.
Council also addressed overdue payments tied to courthouse and recreation‑center security systems (camera installations) that were completed but exceeded the bond funds that originally financed the projects. Carpentry explained the bond funds were spent and requested approval to pay the remaining invoices from general funds. Council moved and seconded payment; the transcript records the subsequent vote as six in favor with one abstention.
Separately, council discussed stipend distribution for employees: previously approved stipends (full‑time $500, part‑time half) will be paid to employees who qualify as part‑time rather than 'as needed' after HR completes a classification review.
What to watch: The audit will be presented at the next council meeting; detention‑center staffing will be a near‑term staffing and compliance issue; the county expects to set fees and any changed ordinance fees through the upcoming budget process.
Provenance: Reporting and updates are drawn from the County Administrator's presentation and subsequent council discussion during the Jan. 12 meeting.
