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Orangeburg County holds executive session and advances first readings tied to Project Splash
Summary
County council gave two ordinances first reading to authorize special-source revenue credits and to add Project Splash property to the joint industrial park; a public commenter asked for details on how tax credits would offset infrastructure costs. The council entered executive session for an economic development update on Project Splash under state code.
Orangeburg County Council voted March 2 to give first reading by title only to two ordinances related to a proposed economic development effort known to the county as Project Splash and then met in executive session for an economic development update.
Chairman Johnnie Wright, Sr. presided over the meeting. Councilwoman Janie Cooper-Smith moved the first-reading ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of a Special Source Revenue Credit Agreement between Orangeburg County and a company identified as Project Splash; Councilwoman Deloris Frazier seconded and the motion carried unanimously (7-0-0). At the same meeting the council also approved first reading by title only of an ordinance to amend the May 17, 2010 Amended and Restated Agreement for Development of the Joint County Industrial Park to include additional property for Project Splash; Cooper-Smith moved and Frazier seconded, and the motion passed 7-0-0.
During the public-comment period, local resident Sid Goff asked for clarity about the first ordinance, saying the county "has discretion to offset a project's infrastructure and or machinery and equipment costs with a credit reduction on property tax" and that the credit is applied as a reduction on tax payments in designated years. Goff said he did not know the specifics for this project and asked the council for further detail.
After the public comment and other agenda items, the council voted to go into executive session under South Carolina law, citing S.C. Code §30-4-70(A)(5) for discussion of the proposed location or expansion of industries. The minutes list the executive-session subject as "Project Splash f/k/a Project Profile" but do not record substantive discussion or any executive-session decisions in the public record.
Both ordinances were advanced on first reading only; the minutes record no final adoption or additional incentive terms. Council members who moved and seconded the first readings were identified in the minutes; votes on the first readings were unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m.
Next steps: these are first readings; additional public meetings, subsequent readings, or formal agreements would be required for any incentives to take effect, and further public records would be expected if incentive amounts or terms are negotiated.
