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Colleton County Council approves Project Ruby fee-in-lieu, multiple code updates and budget transfer; appointments and procurement actions also approved
Summary
At its April 4, 2022 meeting, Colleton County Council approved second reading of a fee-in-lieu agreement for an industry called “Project Ruby,” a temporary lease for I-95 construction staging, first-read code updates tied to a comprehensive plan, awarded public-defender services, appointed advisory members (one non-resident appointment drew objection), and approved a $200,588 transfer to the sheriff’s budget (three votes in favor; two recused).
Colleton County Council met April 4, 2022, in the council chambers at the Old Jail Building and approved a package of ordinances, resolutions and administrative actions covering economic development, procurement, code updates and a budget transfer to the sheriff’s office.
The council unanimously approved second reading of Ordinance 22-O-01, authorizing a fee‑in‑lieu‑of‑tax agreement with an industry identified in the record as “Project Ruby,” and related amendments to the county’s multi‑county industrial/business park arrangement. Council also unanimously approved second reading of Ordinance 22-O-02, which authorizes a temporary lease with Causie Contracting, Inc. for staging personnel and equipment for I‑95 construction and repaving from St. George to Point South.
On first reading (by title) council advanced three ordinance updates—22‑O‑03 (public nuisance and littering provisions), 22‑O‑04 (construction codes and flood‑damage prevention, manufactured homes, and uniform ordinance summons) and 22‑O‑05 (land development regulations and zoning)—all presented as part of a 10‑year comprehensive‑plan update. Council also approved Resolution 22‑R‑09 to authorize a change order for Venture Park water and wastewater improvements; administrators said the increase resulted from extended supplier reservation windows and that grant funds in the project cover the higher cost, with no general‑fund impact.
Procurement and appointments were also handled. Resolution 22‑R‑10 awarded magistrate‑court public‑defender services after the prior provider resigned, and Resolution 22‑R‑11 authorized advertising several board vacancies. Under Resolution 22‑R‑12 the council appointed two people to the Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee (Steven Dorner and Jennie Smith) and Olivia Padgett to the Colleton County Library Board of Trustees. Council discussed whether the advisory‑committee nominee Dorner should be a county resident; staff noted the statutory advisory committee does not require residency and the council voted to appoint Dorner with Councilman Art Williams recorded in opposition to that single appointment.
In executive‑session follow‑up, council voted to defer the Capital Projects Sales Tax (CPST) referendum to the next election cycle and approved a transfer of $200,588 from the general fund to the sheriff’s department to allow for personnel adjustments. Chairman Steven Murdaugh noted Councilman Phillip Taylor recused himself from the sheriff‑budget matter and Councilman Gene Whetsell also recused; the transfer passed with three votes in favor and two recusals noted in the record.
Council also instructed staff to return with a detailed presentation on the comprehensive‑plan and zoning updates at a future meeting and to pursue follow‑up on Venture Park procurement details and opportunities raised during the meeting.
The council adjourned after completing the agenda and the meeting record was attested by Clerk Kaela Brinson.
