Council hears rezoning request for 1391 Mooneyhan Road; OKs first reading of up-to-$40M bond ordinance

Sumter County Council on Feb. 11 took first-reading action on two agenda items that could affect land use along the Highway 521 corridor and the timing of county capital projects.

Planning Director Helen Roodman introduced a first-reading amendment to PD-06-05 to revise permitted uses for 1391 Mooneyhan Road. Roodman told council the property, part of a 2006 planned development intended originally for a cabinet shop, has a complex rezoning history and is currently vacant. She said the applicant, property owner Tammy Hodge, seeks rezoning of roughly one acre to permit commercial, industrial, institutional and retail uses and that the Planning Department "recommends approving this request as the landscape along the 521 corridor has drastically changed over the last 20 years." Council granted first-reading approval.

County Administrator Gary Mixon presented Ordinance #25-1018 by title, a bond authorization to support projects approved under the Capital Penny Sales Tax (the Penny Tax passed in November 2024). Mixon said the ordinance would authorize the issuance and sale of general obligation bonds and bond anticipation notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $40,000,000, and that the county plans two bond anticipation notes this year followed by a final bond issuance in early 2026. Council approved first reading; Mixon said a payout schedule will be presented at second reading.

Both items were approved on first reading by unanimous council vote during the Feb. 11 meeting. Next steps include Planning Department review and ordinance second-reading materials for the bond authorization that will include the payout schedule and financing details.