Sumter County names interim assessor after Jimmy Barfield’s death; residents raise stormwater and access complaints

Sumter County Administrator Gary Mixon told council members July 22 that County Assessor Jimmy Barfield, described as a highly respected colleague, died on July 16, 2025. The council named Chip Napper as interim Sumter County Assessor.

During the public comment period, residents described local infrastructure problems. Debra Burris said severe flooding from poor stormwater drainage and recent storms is damaging her home and said, in her view, the South Carolina Department of Transportation had not responded adequately. Cheryl Jackson informed the council about Prisma Tuomey’s “Safe Kids” program. Carol Webb and Jacqueline Pinckney raised access concerns on Shakemia Road and Duffy Drive, respectively. The transcript records the complaints and program notice but does not include formal staff responses or commitments to specific remediation steps in the minutes.

Why it matters: The death of a county assessor and the immediate appointment of an interim assessor affect local property-tax administration and continuity of county operations. Reported stormwater and access problems identify infrastructure and maintenance issues for county staff to track; the transcript records residents’ accounts but does not record county action or remediation timelines.

What’s next: County administration will process the interim appointment and any personnel actions required for the assessor’s office. Residents’ complaints were entered into the public record; follow-up actions or timelines were not specified in the meeting minutes.