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Blythewood council releases Holly Bluff bond, pauses broader road acceptance amid IGA concerns
Summary
Council voted to release the performance bond for the Holly Bluff subdivision but postponed accepting multiple subdivision roads while staff and the town attorney review an intergovernmental agreement with Richland County that allows either party to terminate maintenance responsibilities.
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. — The Blythewood Town Council on Jan. 28 approved release of the performance bond for the Holly Bluff subdivision but delayed broader road-acceptance actions while staff reviews an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Richland County that governs who maintains subdivision streets.
The council acted after interim town manager Pete Driggers told members that multiple new subdivisions (including Holly Bluffs, Ashley Oaks phases and Abney Hill Estates) have roads built to SCDOT standards and inspected for acceptance. Driggers said staff’s recommendation was to accept the rights-of-way and release the associated bonds. He also flagged concerns about the IGA, noting the agreement “says that it can be terminated by notice of either party,” a provision he described as a vulnerability for the town.
Council members questioned whether Blythewood has the funding, staff or equipment to maintain roads if the county withdrew maintenance. Councilman Brock said the town has no road crew and “we don't have the money to do it,” urging caution before accepting responsibility. Driggers and the town attorney recounted that county council and town records show a signed IGA (first executed or updated in March 2024) under which the county has historically maintained town roads.
Faced with those competing points, the council postponed a general acceptance of roads and directed staff to circulate the IGA to members for review ahead of the Feb. meeting. Separately, the council approved a motion to release the bond for Holly Bluff as recommended by staff.
What’s next: Driggers will distribute the IGA and a staff review to council members; the full road-acceptance agenda items are expected to return to the next regular meeting for further action.
Quotes (from the meeting): "The language of the IGA is good language. What I have a problem with is it says that it can be terminated by notice of either party," Mr. Driggers said, describing the town's exposure if the county withdraws the agreement. "We have no means to repair and maintain," Councilman Brock said, arguing for postponement.
Votes and formal actions: The council voted to postpone general road-acceptance items for further review and separately voted to release the performance bond for Holly Bluff (motion carried by voice vote; minutes record the result as "Ayes have it").
Background: The town manager said the roads named for potential acceptance were inspected and constructed to SCDOT standards and that Richland County would perform maintenance under the existing IGA pending council review.
