Aiken council approves annexations, zoning changes, budget amendments and sewer contracts; one councilor abstains on budget vote

At its March 23 meeting, the Aiken City Council approved a package of land-use items, budget adjustments and contract awards that advance local development and sewer improvements.

Assistant City Manager Mary Tilton read consent and new-business items that passed by council vote. The consent agenda included a resolution to accept a deed of dedication for Danbrook Village Section One. Council also approved several first readings and first-reading annexations: rezoning 1305 Silverluff Road from Planned Residential (PR) to RS10 for a single-family lot; and annexing properties for the Aiken Community Theater at 1620 Richland Avenue East (about 2.1 acres, proposed General Business zoning), 1886 Huckleberry Drive (1.38 acres, RS15) and 1125 Conger Drive (0.69 acres, RS15). Planning Commission had recommended approval for these items.

On budget matters, council heard second-reading and first-reading budget amendments. The second-reading amendment approved earlier in the evening includes $125,000 for large industrial meter replacements at four sites and $100,000 for Aiken Horse Park; Councilwoman Morgan recorded an abstention on that second-reading vote. On first reading, council considered a separate FY2025–26 amendment that included an estimated $800,000 to purchase sewer capacity from Aiken County and a $33,000 project to install security cameras at select civic facilities (capital project sales tax 3 will fund $14,250 of the camera cost with the balance from depreciation funds).

Contract approvals included a three-year aquatic maintenance and repair services contract awarded to ASP America for the low bid of $26,715, and approval of a sole-source independent consultant contract with Sam Cargill for compliance services on the North Side Sewer Improvement Project. Tilton said the sewer project includes about 20,000 feet of gravity sewer and is funded in part by a $2.5 million EPA community grant (which staff said was supported by Senator Graham) along with matching funds from the plutonium settlement and capital project sales tax 4. The Cargill contract is a lump-sum agreement not to exceed $34,000 with an expense allowance up to $5,000 and a 400-day contract period.

Council recorded approvals as unanimous on most items; the budget second-reading vote recorded an abstention by Councilwoman Morgan. No ordinance final-adoption votes or further amendments were made at the meeting; several items were at first reading or required follow-up (for example, the Silverluff applicant was pursuing an easement with an HOA).