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Marlboro County council approves fee‑in‑lieu tax agreements for three expanding projects and backs county solar MOU
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Summary
On Aug. 20, 2024, Marlboro County Council approved second readings of three ordinances authorizing fee‑in‑lieu of ad valorem tax (FILOT) agreements for expanding businesses, unanimously approved a resolution to enter a memorandum of understanding for county solar projects, and advanced two more FILOT agreements on first reading (title only).
Marlboro County Council on Aug. 20 approved three second‑reading ordinances authorizing fee‑in‑lieu‑of‑tax agreements meant to support expansions by businesses the county identified by project codenames.
County Administrator Wilson A. Clyburn described each item as "an expansion" before council votes. The council approved Ordinance #852 (Project Pinky Promise) on a 7–0–1 vote with Councilman Jason Steen recorded as abstaining; Dr. Damien Johnson moved the motion and Kenneth Stroman seconded. Council also approved Ordinance #853 (Project Poundcake) and Ordinance #854 (Project Powerball) on second reading unanimously.
In the same meeting the council approved on a first‑reading, title‑only basis Ordinance #855 (Project Bingo) and Ordinance #856 (Camouflage), both described by staff as expansions of existing county businesses. A separate measure, Ordinance #849 — a proposed transfer of funds to the Marlboro County Economic Development Corporation — was discussed as a contractual item and tabled during new business.
Council also unanimously passed Resolution #08‑24‑01 authorizing the county to enter a memorandum of understanding signaling support for certain solar projects the zoning board had previously approved. County staff told council the resolution is intended to communicate the county’s favorable stance as the project developers continue investment planning.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance #852 (Project Pinky Promise) — second reading approved 7–0–1 (abstain: Jason Steen); Ordinance #853 (Project Poundcake) — second reading approved unanimously; Ordinance #854 (Project Powerball) — second reading approved unanimously; Ordinance #855 (Project Bingo) — first reading (title only) approved unanimously; Ordinance #856 (Camouflage) — first reading (title only) approved unanimously; Resolution #08‑24‑01 (solar projects MOU) — approved unanimously. Motions and vote tallies are recorded in council minutes.
Why it matters: FILOT agreements typically lower near‑term property tax liabilities in exchange for investment commitments and, in some cases, infrastructure credits. Council members framed the votes as steps to secure local investment and preserve jobs while staff said more contractual details and infrastructure credits will be worked out with developers.
What happens next: Staff will proceed with the paperwork and any follow‑up negotiations. Ordinances passed on second reading become effective according to county procedure and any statutory timelines for implementation; where only a title reading occurred, council will consider subsequent readings before final adoption.
(Reporting based on Marlboro County Council minutes and staff remarks at the Aug. 20, 2024 meeting.)