Marlboro County approves fee‑in‑lieu agreement for Monarch Energy in 5‑3 vote

Marlboro County Council approved third reading of Ordinance #869 on Jan. 13, authorizing a fee‑in‑lieu of ad valorem taxes (FILOT) agreement with Monarch Energy LLC, a company previously identified as Project Hush, under Title 12, Chapter 44 of the South Carolina Code.

The motion to adopt Ordinance #869 was made by Dr. Damien Johnson and seconded by Charles P. Midgley Jr. The ordinance passed 5‑3. Council members voting yes were Charles P. Midgley Jr., Steve Blackmon, Dr. Damien Johnson, Anthony Woods and Lafeyette Jackson. Members voting no were Verd Odom, Jason Steen and Pearly Lawson.

The ordinance text on the record states that the FILOT arrangement and related special source revenue credits are intended to support a county project; the motion and accompanying discussion centered on the economic development framework and statutory authority under Title 12, Chapter 44. The council did not place additional limitations or dollar amounts in the motion on the meeting record beyond those in the ordinance language presented for third reading.

Supporters framed the vote as necessary to secure a large private development and to provide county incentives consistent with state law. Opponents registered concerns about the use of tax incentives and withheld their votes; the transcript records a roll‑call style listing of yes and no votes but contains no extended verbatim debate attached to the motion.

Next steps: adoption of the ordinance on third reading completes the county council’s local approval for the FILOT agreement; any implementation steps (final contract execution, sponsor affiliate details, or administrative filings) were not elaborated in the public record at this meeting.

(Decision recorded during the Old Business section of the Jan. 13, 2026 Marlboro County Council meeting.)