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Batesburg-Leesville council approves mutual-aid pact with Lexington County, amends SRO contract through 2027
Summary
The Batesburg-Leesville Town Council unanimously approved a mutual-aid agreement with the Lexington County Sheriff's Office and amended a school resource officer (SRO) contract—changing a termination date to June 30, 2027—after clarifying funding splits and vehicle/equipment ownership.
The Batesburg-Leesville Town Council voted at its July meeting to approve a mutual-aid agreement with the Lexington County Sheriff's Office and to adopt a school resource officer (SRO) contract amended to extend the term through June 30, 2027.
On the mutual-aid pact, the council moved, seconded and approved the agreement between the Batesburg-Leesville Police Department and the Lexington County Sheriff's Office with a roll-call vote. “That carries,” the mayor said after the vote.
Council then reviewed the SRO contract with Lexington County School District 3 and discovered the printed contract included an outdated termination date. Councilor 12 moved to amend the adoption to change the term-of-service date from 06/30/2023 to 06/30/2027. “I'll amend my motion to adopt with the understanding that the date under number 2, term of service, will be changed from 06/30/2023 to 06/30/2027,” the councilor said. The amendment was seconded and passed.
Town staff and the police chief clarified funding and equipment arrangements. Planning/staff said the recurring terms for these positions follow prior practice: two SROs are 100% state-funded, while two positions under the agreement carry a split—75% of salaries and vehicle costs from the school district and 25% from the town. As staff explained, “The terms are the same, 75%, 25%. They will pay 75% of the salary and and vehicle,” and the council discussed ownership clauses for equipment and replacement practices.
Police leadership answered questions about vehicle replacements and body armor procurement: “We typically get a vehicle, I believe, every other year through the state,” the chief said; the chief noted grants also fund body armor replacement and other SRO equipment. Council members asked for clarification of long-term replacement costs and requested the town obtain written confirmation of the equipment-ownership and replacement schedule for future reference.
After discussion and amendment, the council voted to approve the SRO contract as amended. The votes on both the mutual-aid agreement and the amended SRO contract were recorded by roll-call; the mayor cast the final affirmative vote on each motion.
Council asked staff to supply clarified contract language and to provide follow-up information on equipment ownership and long-term funding responsibilities before the next scheduled meeting.
