Cheraw council approves first readings of utility-rate and budget ordinances; authorizes splash-pad grant match request

The Cheraw Town Council on May 12 approved first readings of two ordinances and authorized a resolution to advance local matching funds for a parks project.

Ordinance 2026-13: water/sewer rate. Council advanced a first reading of Ordinance 2026-13, which moves the town’s water/sewer unit charge to $73.99 — described at the meeting as roughly a 10% increase from the current charge — to generate local revenue needed to fund construction of a new water‑treatment facility. Town staff told the council the existing treatment plant has reached the end of its life cycle and estimated the new facility would cost between $50 million and $68 million. The first reading passed by voice vote.

Ordinance 2026-14: fiscal-year budget. Council advanced first reading of the town’s general operating budget for the fiscal year (reading presented during the meeting). The meeting record included a general fund figure of $10,443,367, a water fund figure of $8,556,898 and an accommodations/hospitality line of $155,000; council approved the first reading by voice vote. Staff stated the proposal would not raise the tax millage, which the meeting noted would remain at 155 (as read at the meeting).

Resolution 2026-13: SCPRT splash pad grant match. Council approved Resolution 2026-13, authorizing the town manager to execute and advance funding for the SCPRT grant match for the planned splash pad after staff reported the project’s bids exceeded earlier estimates. Staff described the project’s grant as a 50/50 match and said the match authorization would be for an amount 'not to exceed $850,000' as read at the meeting; the council approved the resolution by voice vote.

Other actions. The council approved a rebranding package developed with Destination by Design and appointed Warren Davis to the Board of Architectural Review in a separate vote.

Votes. All legislative motions recorded in the meeting were approved by voice vote; the transcript records the ayes and does not record a roll‑call tally for individual council members. No ordinance adoptions (second readings) or final appropriations were completed at this meeting; these matters were presented and passed on first reading for later action.

Next steps. The utilities increase and the budget ordinance will return for subsequent readings and possible final adoption at later meetings; staff will follow up on grant applications and any procurement steps for the splash pad project.