Marlboro County Council adopts Personnel Policies manual after debate over vehicle markings and employee safety

Marlboro County Council voted unanimously Nov. 13 to adopt Ordinance #871, the county’s Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, clearing a set of updated policies that include pregnancy accommodations, harassment protections, pay-for-performance provisions, social media and a section governing county 'take-home' vehicles.

At a public hearing, Marquita McLain, the county’s clerk of court, urged council members to reconsider a vehicle policy provision that would mark county vehicles and designate courthouse parking spaces, saying marked vehicles could make employees targets. "With marking parking spaces at the Courthouse, which I do not want, and marking County Vehicles, they may be targeted," McLain said during public comment.

Council members debated the tension between liability, operational needs, and staff safety. County Administrator Wilson A. Clyburn (listed in the meeting record as County Administrator) cautioned that South Carolina is an open-carry state and that clearly marked county vehicles could expose employees who work after hours. Pearly Lawson said many counties use vehicle decals and framed use of county vehicles as a privilege that has been abused in recent years; she said employees should not transport family members in county cars as a regular practice.

Doris Sumpter, director of administrative services, walked through specific manual changes included in the amended document, noting edits on leave accruals, sick leave bank rules, comp time, conflict-of-interest provisions, and a new social media policy.

Motion and vote: Dr. Damien Johnson moved to approve the ordinance on third reading and Pearly Lawson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The ordinance takes effect as adopted; staff said implementation protocols and administrative guidance will follow to clarify enforcement and exceptions for emergency situations.