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Council advances rules ordinance over objections; Washington says he will propose changes
Summary
On first reading Sumter County Council voted 5–2 to advance Ordinance 24-1009, a proposed revision to county meeting rules. Councilman Carlton B. Washington and Councilman Eugene R. Baten voted no; Washington asked for the full 19‑page document to be read and said he will present amendments at the next meeting.
Sumter County Council on July 23 gave first reading to Ordinance 24-1009, a proposed revision to the county’s meetings and rules of order, after a short but pointed discussion.
County Attorney Johnathan Bryan presented the ordinance by title only. During the discussion, Councilman Carlton B. Washington requested that the full 19-page draft be read aloud and said he had not been included in its initial drafting. Washington told the chairman he would bring proposed changes for consideration at the council’s next meeting: "I will bring my concerns and proposed changes to this ordinance at the next meeting of County Council," Washington said.
Councilman Baten and Councilman Washington recorded Nay votes when the motion to grant first reading was put to a roll-call, producing a 5–2 margin in favor of moving the draft forward. Chairman James T. McCain and other council members emphasized that first reading was procedural and that additional work on the document would continue.
The item will return to council for further consideration; Washington has signaled he will propose edits intended to address his concerns about the draft and the process by which it was prepared. The council did not adopt final language at this meeting.
