Union County Council unanimously approves ordinances, reallocates $1.75M in interest to capital fund and accepts sheriff’s radio grant

Union County Council met Dec. 10, 2024, and by unanimous votes approved multiple ordinances, formalized budget transfers that shift roughly $1.75 million of State Pool interest into the county capital fund, accepted a sheriff’s office radio grant and appointed a new member to the Development Board.

The council opened at 5:30 p.m. with Chairman Phillip G. Russell, II presiding. After roll call and approval of Nov. 12 minutes, Russell presented service awards and turned the floor over to Curtiss Hunter, Director of Tourism, who introduced Ron Hancock of Destination by Design. Hancock presented a draft countywide Tourism Plan; the presentation is attached to the meeting minutes, the council record shows.

On personnel business the council approved the appointment of Nikki Burgess to the Higher Education seat on the Union County Development Board. The appointment was recommended by Director of Economic Development Dolton Williams; Councilwoman Annie Smith moved to appoint Burgess, Vice Chair David Sinclair seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

On public-safety funding the council accepted a grant to the Sheriff’s Office for 800 radios totaling $117,329, with a required local match of $13,036 to be paid from the county capital fund. Sheriff Bailey thanked the council, saying he “appreciated the vote from Council.” The motion to accept the grant passed unanimously.

Chairman Russell reviewed the county’s fiscal position for 2023–24, reporting the county came in $667,693.37 under budget and earned $1,752,047.11 in interest in the State Pool. He proposed moving the $667,693.37 surplus into the fund balance (bringing it to $12,227,070.40) and transferring about $1.75 million of interest into the capital fund (bringing that balance to about $2.48 million). Council approved the transfers unanimously. The council record shows the existing capital fund balance at $731,675.82 prior to the proposed transfer.

On economic-development items, the council took first reading (title only) of an ordinance authorizing execution of a fee agreement with an entity described in the record as “Project Panama.” Chairman Russell said he could not disclose the company name, location or further details at this time but stated the project could represent roughly $340 million in investment and start about 700 manufacturing jobs; he said company executives are expected to appear at the February meeting to provide details.

The council also approved on first reading a proposal to develop a joint county industrial and business park with Spartanburg County that would be geographically located in Union County and authorized a related park agreement addressing FILOT terms and revenue distribution. Separately, on second reading the council authorized termination of an existing joint park agreement (the park located in Spartanburg County and the City of Spartanburg) under South Carolina Code of Laws §4-1-170 et seq.; the public hearing on that termination drew no comments. Council approved a second-reading amendment to add Buffalo PV1 Properties to the Union-Spartanburg park and passed a second-reading ordinance to authorize a Fee-in-Lieu of Tax and Incentive Agreement with Buffalo PV1, LLC, including multi-county park benefits and special source revenue credits. All votes on those ordinance readings were unanimous.

The council approved the 2025 regular meeting schedule (second Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., with the November meeting moved to Nov. 18 because of Veterans Day) and adjourned at 6:24 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Minutes (Nov. 12, 2024): Motion carried unanimously (yes: Phillip G. Russell, II; David Sinclair; Danny Bright; John Glenn; Annie Smith; Carolyn Rutherford; John Flood). - Appointment — Nikki Burgess to Development Board: Approved unanimously. - Sheriff’s Office radio grant ($117,329; local match $13,036): Approved unanimously. - Budget closeout transfers (move $667,693.37 to fund balance; move approx. $1.75M interest to capital fund): Approved unanimously. - Ordinance (Project Panama) — First reading (title only): Accepted for first reading unanimously. - Ordinance — Joint park with Spartanburg County (first reading): Accepted for first reading unanimously. - Ordinance — Termination of prior joint park agreement (second reading; SC Code §4-1-170 et seq.): Approved unanimously after public hearing with no comments. - Ordinance — Amend park to include Buffalo PV1 Properties (second reading): Approved unanimously. - Ordinance — FILOT and incentives with Buffalo PV1, LLC (second reading): Approved unanimously. - 2025 Regular meeting dates: Approved unanimously.

What this means The council’s vote to move interest earnings into the capital fund increases available capital for planned and unforeseen projects; the Project Panama and Buffalo PV1 actions move the county forward on preparing incentives and park boundaries but leave substantive project details confidential until company representatives appear before council. The sheriff’s grant provides new radios for the department with a modest local match. The Tourism Plan presentation places a countywide strategy on the record for future planning and funding discussions.

Sources and provenance This article is based on the Union County Council meeting minutes/transcript for Dec. 10, 2024. Key transcript evidence: tourism presentation and introductions (SEG 002); appointment and service awards (SEG 002); sheriff’s grant and budget closeout/interest figures (SEG 005); ordinances and park matters, including statutory citation (SEG 005–SEG 008); meeting adjournment and signatures (SEG 008–SEG 009).