Williamsburg County approves $3.25 million tax anticipation note; hears Black River United Way appeal for funding and volunteers

Williamsburg County Council approved Resolution 2024-05 on voice vote to issue and sell a tax anticipation note in the amount of $3,250,000 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025.

Meeting Host clarified that although the agenda listed an amount up to $3,500,000, the county had reduced the note amount to $3,250,000 and that the figure before the council that evening was $3,250,000. Meeting Host said the motion was to issue a tax anticipation note in the amount of $3,250,000. A council member moved to approve the resolution; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote with 'aye' and no recorded opposition.

After the resolution vote the council received an information-only presentation from Maretta Wilson of Black River United Way, who presented the organization's Williamsburg County impact report and asked the council to consider financial contributions and help recruiting volunteers. Wilson said Black River United Way runs literacy programming (Reading Buddies and AmeriCorps), the Mission Ready initiative, and a Disaster Resilience Program that includes Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. She cited specific impacts and figures: 39 children served by Reading Buddies and AmeriCorps in the Williamsburg County School District and 40 first graders at Hemingway Elementary who received books; 125 disaster kits provided in collaboration with Kenneth Gardner Elementary; $56,000 in Emergency Food and Shelter funds distributed to local nonprofits for rent, utilities and food assistance; $20,000 in SC Homeowner Rescue Program subgrants; and a cited cost of $4,381 for 2-1-1 services in the county.

Wilson urged the council to share information and consider district or county contributions and said volunteers spend approximately 90 minutes weekly in classrooms as reading 'heroes.' Council members thanked the presenters and asked staff to confirm partnerships; presenters confirmed Black River United Way partners with Williamsburg County First Steps and local school district staff.

The meeting then moved into executive session on two matters (a contractual matter concerning the supervisor's office and an economic development matter); the council returned later with no action taken in executive session.