Lexington County approves economic incentives and routine business, moves referendum date

At its Nov. 18 meeting, Lexington County Council handled several rounds of routine business and economic development actions, approving a resolution to alter referendum timing and moving multiple incentive measures forward.

Resolution R24‑04: The council adopted R24‑04 to establish a capital sales tax commission and to move a possible penny‑tax referendum from November 2026 to November 2027. The measure was introduced, seconded and approved by voice/roll‑call vote (recorded as unanimous in the meeting roll calls).

Ordinance 25‑15 (fee agreement / special source revenue credit): On third and final reading council adopted ordinance 25‑15, a fee agreement and special source revenue credit tied to Burton Road Partners and the company identified in the text as WIGO Pouches North America, Inc. The ordinance authorizes execution and delivery of the fee agreement pursuant to state statutory chapters cited by staff and was approved on final reading following roll‑call.

Ordinances 25‑18 and 25‑19 (economic development projects): Economic development staff presented two incentive packages. Ordinance 25‑18 (previously Project Badger) proposes a fee‑in‑lieu agreement between Lexington County and US Venture Incorporated (sponsor Gateway 4 LLC) for a project reporting $4.2 million in new investment and 45 new jobs; staff estimated a 15‑year economic benefit of approximately $51,034,523. Ordinance 25‑19 (Project Watch) concerns a special source revenue credit for Hoffman Columbia LLC with an $8.5 million investment and 60 new jobs, and a staff‑estimated 15‑year impact of about $123,287,180. Both measures were advanced and approved on second reading at the meeting.

Appointments and budget items: Council approved several reappointments (including representatives to the Lexington‑Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council and the Board of Zoning Appeals), and adopted multiple appropriation transfers and funding recognitions presented by finance staff. Notable financial items included a $1,023,856 appropriation to upgrade emergency operations center power infrastructure (to be reimbursed via the CMRS capital reimbursement program), a $1,837,453 transfer to establish an economic development projects fund for property purchase, a $309,439 transfer for Station 10 renovation overruns (covered by state and local fiscal recovery fund savings), and several small donations recognized to fire services and the county museum.

Council procedure and votes: Council recorded roll‑call 'yes' votes on the major items discussed (resolution R24‑04, final reading of 25‑15, and second readings of 25‑18 and 25‑19). Staff noted some online submissions filed against 25‑18/25‑19 had been misfiled or were duplicates intended for the land‑clearing hearing (25‑07). The meeting closed after routine bids and contract awards were approved and council adjourned.

What happens next: Ordinances advanced on second reading (25‑18 and 25‑19) will return for additional readings as required by county ordinance procedure before final adoption; the referendum date change takes effect as a council resolution process and the county will proceed to establish the capital sales tax commission per R24‑04.