Council advances private-road acceptance pilot, picks Merlene Nixon Road as test case

Sumter County Council voted Jan. 13 to advance a pilot program to consider accepting private roads into the county-maintained system, naming Merlene Nixon Road as a test case.

Public Works committee members reported that they reviewed criteria for private-road acceptance and selected one road for a pilot. A committee member said the council "came out with a vote" to test the process and move staff work forward. Council discussion emphasized this is the third phase of a multistep process that will require resident signatures and additional study before county acceptance.

Speaking about conditions on the named road, one council speaker described the situation bluntly: "this is a life or death potentially situation for a lot of these areas," and urged continued focus on citizens who need reliable access and services. The county administrator, Mr. Mixon, later thanked council and staff for progress and said staff anticipate more work to evaluate other roads under the established criteria.

The council's action directs staff to continue the next steps for the road named by the committee. Council members noted the selection and the pilot process are early-stage and that residents’ signatures and further administrative steps will be required before a road is accepted into the county system.