Forest Acres council approves annexation, budget amendment, hospitality-tax grants and authorizes government-relations contracts

Forest Acres Mayor Tom Andrews presided over a Jan. 13 City Council meeting that produced a series of unanimous approvals, including a first‑reading annexation for 6100 Sylvan Drive and a fiscal-year 2025–26 budget amendment.

City Attorney Will Dillard opened a public hearing on the annexation, saying "the purpose of the public hearing is to entertain public comments on a proposed annexation into the City of Forest Acres." With no public comments voiced for or against, the council voted to approve the annexation on first reading.

City Administrator Shaun Greenwood told the council staff have not completed research on a memorial dedication policy or the use of goats for landscaping but expect to present findings at the council's Feb. 10 meeting. Greenwood also gave project updates: concrete removal at Richland Mall continues with vertical construction anticipated after contractor bids are awarded; park path replacements at Quinine Hill and work at Citadel Park are in progress; the entryway sign project has been completed and closed out; and the city's request to become the primary USPS designation for ZIP codes 29204/29206 was denied, prompting plans to submit a new application to be listed as a secondary choice.

Finance Director Brittany Adams reported the city had received approximately 22% of anticipated revenues and recorded about 46% of budgeted expenditures for the year as of Dec. 31, 2025. Police Chief Don Robinson summarized December crime statistics and said DUI arrests have increased following prosecutor training; officers will focus traffic enforcement in January and February on Forest Drive with ongoing attention to Atascadero and Bethel Church.

During the hospitality‑tax funding review, the council approved the Town Theater's Arts in the Acres grant for $5,000 as requested; approved $7,500 for Rockbridge's Bankhead Smash Cancer Tennis Tournament (the applicant sought $10,000); approved $5,000 for The Therapy Place's Miracles in Motion (requested $7,500); and approved $12,500 for The Therapy Place's Therapalooza (requested $20,000). The council also appointed Cody Sherriff to a Public Safety Foundation seat with a term ending in August 2027.

In community forum, resident William Brantley reported a vacant house on Vanwood with a large pile of debris; Greenwood said Code Enforcement and Public Works are aware and "have taken the appropriate steps for removal of debris," but that removal can be a lengthy process. Resident Bryan Willis asked whether a beer‑and‑wine license had been issued for 4424 Bethel Church and whether Atascadero paving was complete; City Attorney Will Dillard said, to his knowledge, no license had been issued and Mayor Andrews noted that a challenged license application is administratively denied by the South Carolina Department of Revenue and may be appealed by the applicant.

Council entered executive session at 7:00 p.m. to receive legal advice and discuss contractual matters related to lobbying consultants and potential property purchase. After returning to open session, council members unanimously authorized the City Administrator and City Attorney to negotiate and execute a contract with Parker Poe Consulting, LLC for government relations services and authorized the City Administrator to negotiate and execute a contract with Lake Shore Strategies, LLC for government relations services.

Several items were deferred to the Feb. 10 meeting, including resolutions honoring AC Flora athletic state championships and the Employee of the Year recognition. The council adjourned at 7:48 p.m.