Marlboro County Council approves tax-incentive deal for Birch Creek Energy; advances Project Hush, delays infrastructure-credit reading

Marlboro County Council on July 8 approved multiple ordinance actions, including a third-reading authorization of a fee-in-lieu of ad valorem taxes agreement with Birch Creek Energy, known in the county materials as Project Cloud.

The council approved the third reading of Ordinance No. 860, a fee-in-lieu agreement under Title 12, Chapter 44 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina, authorizing County participation in a tax-incentive package for Birch Creek Energy (recorded in meeting materials as Project Cloud/Cloudless Energy). The motion to approve was made by Dr. Damien Johnson and seconded by Charles P. Midgley, Jr. The vote was recorded as six in favor and one abstention (Ms. Pearly Lawson); the motion carried.

Council also approved Ordinance No. 868 on third reading, authorizing a municipal election transfer and costs fee agreement between Marlboro County and the City of Bennettsville; that motion (mover: Verd Odom; second: Jason Steen) passed unanimously.

Separately, Council advanced Ordinance No. 869 (also framed under Title 12, Chapter 44) to a successful second reading. The ordinance would authorize a fee-in-lieu agreement for a separate project identified in the minutes as Project Hush; the second-reading motion (mover: Dr. Damien Johnson; second: Charles P. Midgley, Jr.) carried with the same recorded 6–0–1 tally and Ms. Pearly Lawson listed as abstaining.

The council postponed the second reading of Ordinance No. 870, an infrastructure credit agreement tied in the agenda to a project identified as Project Blueberry Bill; that reading was deferred by motion (mover: Verd Odom; second: Charles P. Midgley, Jr.).

Council also approved, on a first-reading (title only), Ordinance No. 871 to amend the county Personnel Policies and Procedure Manual (motion by Dr. Damien Johnson; second by Jason Steen; unanimous).

Procedural votes earlier in the meeting included a routine correction to an agenda item name (changing the referenced business to Birch Creek Energy) and approval of minutes for June 10, June 18 and June 24 as recorded in the minutes.

What the ordinances mean: The two fee-in-lieu measures (Ordinances 860 and 869) are statutory authorities under Title 12, Chapter 44 for local governments to offer property-tax incentives and special source revenue credits to qualifying projects; the ordinances authorize the county to negotiate and execute agreements with sponsors identified by the minutes as Project Cloud (Birch Creek Energy) and Project Hush. Details of the agreements, including any dollar amounts or term lengths, were not specified in the council minutes provided.

Next steps: Ordinance 860 is recorded as adopted on third reading at the July 8 meeting; Ordinance 869 has passed second reading and will return for final reading per county procedure. Ordinance 870 remains postponed pending further action.

Votes and motions (as recorded in the minutes): - Correction to agenda business name: motion by Steve Blackmon, seconded by Jason Steen; unanimous. - Postpone Ordinance 870 second reading: motion by Verd Odom, seconded by Charles P. Midgley, Jr.; unanimous. - Ordinance 860 (third reading) — motion by Dr. Damien Johnson, seconded by Charles P. Midgley, Jr.; recorded vote: 6 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain (Ms. Pearly Lawson). - Ordinance 868 (third reading) — motion by Verd Odom, seconded by Jason Steen; unanimous. - Ordinance 869 (second reading) — motion by Dr. Damien Johnson, seconded by Charles P. Midgley, Jr.; recorded vote: 6 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain (Ms. Pearly Lawson). - Ordinance 871 (first reading, title only) — motion by Dr. Damien Johnson, seconded by Jason Steen; unanimous.

The council adjourned at 7:40 p.m.