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Union County Council adopts 2024–25 budget, accepts detention-center scanner grant and approves additional fire-department funds
Summary
At its June 18 meeting Union County Council adopted the 2024–25 budget (with one abstention), accepted a state grant for a detention-center body scanner, approved an extra $31,092 local match for a Bonham Fire Department aerial truck, advanced a Santuc Fire District bond question, and appointed two local fire-board members; the council entered and exited executive session with no action.
The Union County Council adopted the 2024–25 budget and approved several funding and personnel items at its regular meeting on June 18, 2024.
Budget adoption: Chairman Phillip G. Russell II introduced the budget ordinance for third and final reading. Vice Chair David Sinclair moved to dispense with committee referral and adopt the ordinance; Councilmember Danny Bright seconded. The motion carried with five yes votes; Councilmember Carolyn Rutherford abstained. The minutes record no further questions or debate on the budget at the meeting.
Detention-center body scanner grant: Council accepted a grant offer from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) to purchase a body scanner for the Union County Detention Center. The grant will cover up to $218,700; the vendor quote received by the county was $215,594. Councilmember John Glenn moved to accept the grant award and the motion carried unanimously.
Bonham Fire Department aerial truck local match: Bids for an aerial truck to be purchased with a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) came in $31,092 over prior estimates. Council approved the additional $31,092 in local match funding, noting the extra local match will be paid by the Bonham Fire Department; the vote to approve and award the bid carried unanimously.
Santuc Fire District GO bond (2nd reading): Council approved second reading of an ordinance allowing Santuc Fire District to submit a $500,000 general-obligation bond question to its voters to fund an addition to the fire department building. Councilmember John Glenn moved to approve second reading; the vote was unanimous. This action advances the district to a voter referendum; the bond will only proceed if district voters approve it.
Appointments and administrative items: Council appointed Jeff Grizzle to the Kelly Kelton Fire Board and Stanley Clowney to the Phillipi Fire Board; both appointments were approved unanimously. Chairman Russell also reviewed a supervisor's report that had been emailed to the council.
Executive session and adjournment: The council entered executive session at 6:13 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter related to organizational structure and exited at 7:08 p.m.; the chairman announced no action or votes were taken during executive session. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Votes at a glance: • Accept SC DHEC grant for body scanner — passed unanimously (grant up to $218,700; quote $215,594). • Approve additional $31,092 local match for Bonham aerial truck (CDBG $750,000) — passed unanimously. • Adopt 2024–25 Budget Ordinance (3rd reading) — passed (5 yes; 1 abstention: Carolyn Rutherford). • Santuc Fire District $500,000 GO bond — second reading approved unanimously; referendum to be placed before Santuc voters. • Appointments: Jeff Grizzle (Kelly Kelton Fire Board) and Stanley Clowney (Phillipi Fire Board) — approved unanimously.
What’s next: The budget is now adopted for fiscal year 2024–25. The body-scanner purchase will proceed under the SC DHEC grant and county procurement. The Bonham Fire Department will provide the additional local match funds and proceed with the awarded bid; Santuc’s bond requires a successful local referendum to be enacted.
