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Marion County Council approves historic‑property tax assessment program, solar rules and up to $770,000 in bonds; makes appointments
Summary
On third reading the council adopted ordinance 2026‑02 (Bailey‑bill special assessments for rehabilitated historic properties), ordinance 2026‑06 (standards for renewable energy systems), and ordinance 2026‑08 (authorize sale of general obligation bonds not to exceed $770,000); the council also completed first reading of the FY 2026–27 budget and approved local appointments.
The Marion County Council approved three ordinances on third reading and handled several administrative actions during its regular meeting.
On third reading the council adopted ordinance 2026‑02, which authorizes a program under the South Carolina Bailey bill to permit special property tax assessments for qualifying rehabilitated historic properties. County counsel told the council that passage "just puts this process making it available" and does not confer benefits on any specific project; the council will need to empanel a committee to review future applications.
Council also adopted ordinance 2026‑06, updating county rules for the establishment, continued maintenance and operation of renewable energy systems. A councilmember described the update as "an important ... update to our ordinances to make sure that there's a formal process in place as renewable energy gets developed further in our county."
The body approved ordinance 2026‑08 authorizing the issuance and sale of general obligation bonds not exceeding $770,000 to fund county purposes indicated in the ordinance language; the council had received full copies since second reading.
Clerk read the title for ordinance 2026‑10 (the fiscal year 2026–2027 budget) and completed first reading by title only, enabling subsequent consideration in the budget process.
On appointments, the council voted to reinstate Rebecca Cox to a municipal seat related to the capital project sales tax process after staff reported that one municipality had not appointed its member and counsel advised the council of authority to fill vacancies after 30 days to avoid delaying a referendum. The council also appointed Dwayne Bracketon to the PD Communication Action Partnership board; one councilmember recorded an opposition to that appointment citing a prior commitment to Veronica Richardson but the appointment carried.
Members praised the building department for recent improvements at a local park and approved a resolution honoring Wyman Watson for decades of service with the British Neck Fire Department.
Several items remain on hold pending additional text or revisions (item B and item E as noted on the agenda) and an economic development matter was moved to executive session.
