Saluda County Council honors retiring officials, makes appointments and approves planning contract

Saluda County Council used part of its Jan. 13 meeting to honor two long‑serving county officials, approve appointments to boards and authorize a one‑year planning contract after executive session.

Under new business the council read and approved a resolution recognizing Brenda Griffith for more than 24 years of service to Saluda County as probate clerk and later probate judge. The resolution was ordered presented to Judge Griffith and filed in the council minutes.

The council also approved a resolution recognizing Keith Turner for 32 years of service as coroner and invited him forward. "I spent 32 years of my life... I started with nothing," Turner said, reflecting on early office conditions, staff who helped him get started and the challenges and rewards of public service. He thanked staff including Sandra Patek and others by name.

The council appointed Rudolph Scott to the Saluda County Tax Appeals Board with a term expiring Jan. 13, 2027, and appointed Carlton Jackson Whidbey to the Saluda County Planning Commission with a term expiring Jan. 13, 2028. Both appointments were moved, seconded and approved by voice votes.

The meeting moved into executive session under South Carolina Code section 30‑4‑70(a)(2) and (5) to discuss a potential economic development opportunity, a planning contract, and pending legal matters. After returning to open session, Councilman Daniel (speaker 3) moved to "accept and authorize the administrators to sign the 1‑year planning contract as submitted," the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Ending: The council completed the honors, appointments and contract authorization during the meeting; the planning contract and appointments will proceed according to the county’s administrative process.