Greenwood Council approves Amazon infrastructure credit, sale to Fishbones and FY2027 budget

GREENWOOD, S.C. — Greenwood County Council unanimously approved an infrastructure credit agreement with Amazon.com Services LLC on June 2 that authorizes reimbursement for certain qualified off‑site sewer infrastructure costs, and adopted the county’s FY2027 operating and capital budgets.

James Baitman, the county’s economic development director, told the council the agreement contemplates reimbursement — in the form of an infrastructure credit tied to property-tax collections — of up to roughly $1.22 million over about three years. Baitman said the credit would be limited to qualified public expenses (primarily the public portion of an off‑site sewer line of about 2,700 linear feet) and capped at the actual cost if expenditures are less than the cap. "The county would reimburse via a property tax abatement up to a maximum of $1.2 2 million over the course of about three years," Baitman said.

Council voted to authorize the county manager and county attorney to finalize minor edits to the near‑final agreement; the motion passed unanimously.

Also during the meeting, Council approved a proposed sale of approximately 0.10 acres at 190 Lake Greenwood Boulevard to T Parker Properties (Fishbones) for $12,000. Nikki Parker, owner of Fishbones General Store and Tackle, told council the small parcel would allow the business to add a covered deck and expand service to lake visitors and fundraisers. Council approved the sale with staff authority to finalize contract terms.

On fiscal matters, Deputy County Manager for Finance Stephanie presented the FY2027 budget summary and proposed fee adjustments. The council approved the operating and capital budget (total expenditures across funds about $58 million) and the separate education millage ordinance unanimously. The budget includes a $5 vehicle road‑user fee dedicated to resurfacing, a fire‑fee adjustment and modest personnel actions including a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for regular employees.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 202618 (Infrastructure credit agreement with Amazon) — Approved unanimously. Economic-development director said reimbursement cap ~$1.22 million for qualified off‑site sewer costs tied to an estimated $20.5 million investment.

- Sale: 190 Lake Greenwood Boulevard to T Parker Properties (Fishbones) — Approved unanimously; $12,000 sale price presented.

- Ordinance 202603 (R1/R2 to Master Plan Residential) — Approved unanimously (third reading).

- Ordinance 202620 (R1 to A1 consolidation) — Approved unanimously (third reading).

- Ordinance 202621 (FY2027 operating & capital budgets) — Approved unanimously; total ~ $58 million across funds; includes several fee changes and personnel adjustments.

What’s next

County staff will finalize the Amazon agreement edits with manager and county attorney and return to council as required for contract execution. Budget implementation and reassessment notices will proceed as part of the fiscal-year schedule.