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Sumter County Council approves minutes, advances economic incentive and licensing measures
Summary
At its Dec. 12, 2023 meeting, Sumter County Council approved prior minutes and moved several ordinances forward: second readings for the Project Mole amendment and a business license schedule change (Act 176 of 2020), and unanimous second readings for other items; public comment addressed litter cleanup, business-license fairness and solar concerns.
Sumter County Council’s Dec. 12 meeting included routine approvals and multiple ordinance readings. Council unanimously approved the Nov. 28 and Dec. 7 minutes and approved second readings for two ordinances: Ordinance #23-991 (an amendment to a fee-in-lieu agreement for a company identified as Project Mole) and Ordinance #23-994 (amendments to the business license class schedule required by Act 176 of 2020).
County Administrator Gary Mixon reported that Ordinance #23-991 would amend an existing fee-in-lieu agreement for Project Mole, which the county said anticipates a $17 million investment and creation of roughly 15–20 jobs; a public hearing and third reading were scheduled for January 2024. Mixon also presented the business license schedule changes required by state law; the council’s Fiscal, Tax and Property committee had discussed the matter earlier that day. Councilman Carlton B. Washington expressed constituent concerns about language that could be read to reference prior criminal records, though minutes state the amendment is limited to classification changes required by Act 176 and not intended to deny licenses because of past convictions.
Committee reports noted a Land Use Committee meeting earlier in the day and updates on community events. During public comment, Louis Watkins announced a Winn Community Resource Center litter cleanup and city-sponsored junk removal dates; Dr. Elayne Brunson urged the council to ensure that people who have served prison time are not unfairly blocked from business opportunities under licensing changes; George Bates followed up on solar-height concerns and asked for more sheriff deputies; and Dr. Alexandria Baten encouraged council members to review research on solar farms.
Vice Chairman Byrd asked the council to close the meeting in remembrance of Sr. Deputy William Mosier, a former K-9 handler. The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
Summary of key procedural actions: unanimous approval of agenda and minutes; second reading approval for Ordinances #23-991 and #23-994; committee reports and public comments recorded.
