Reidville council adopts bond ordinance to fund community facility; council says no new millage will be added

The Reidville Town Council unanimously approved the second and final reading of Ordinance 2026-02 on May 26, authorizing the issuance of general obligation debt to fund a new multipurpose community facility that will also serve as a temporary Town Hall.

Why it matters: The ordinance gives the town authority to take on debt for the community facility, a significant financing step for Reidville as it balances growth and fiscal prudence. Town officials emphasized the decision does not mean an immediate increase in property tax millage.

Councilmember Justin Beardsley, who answered residents’ questions during the public forum, said the council "will not be adding any additional millage to pay for the bond." Audience members had asked how much the bond would cost each resident; the transcript does not specify a bond amount or payment schedule.

Town Administrator Christine McKaba explained owners’ petition rights under state law: Section 5-17-20 of the South Carolina Code allows a petition signed by at least 15% of qualified electors within 60 days after enactment to seek repeal of an ordinance authorizing general obligation debt. McKaba also explained the alternative in Section 11-27-40(8), under which a notice published pursuant to that section allows five qualified electors to file a repeal request within 20 days of publication. She said the Mayor or Administrator may choose to publish the notice after the second and final reading.

Members of the public also asked whether the bond proceeds would fund the community facility and whether that project was tied to the earlier Triad Town Center proposal. Beardsley clarified the Triad proposal is a separate project and confirmed the community facility — located at 7304 Reidville Road — is the asset the ordinance is intended to fund. He said the facility will serve as a temporary Town Hall while the town evaluates timing for a permanent Town Hall planned for 300 College Street as part of downtown revitalization and master planning efforts.

The council approved the ordinance by a unanimous vote (Bob Jordan — yes; James Richard — yes; Justin Beardsley — yes). The meeting record does not include the bond amount, repayment schedule, or a detailed funding breakdown; those details may be included in published notices or FOIA-requested documents.

Next steps: The town may publish the statutory notice described by McKaba; that publication would trigger the 20-day petition window under Section 11-27-40(8) or, absent publication, the 60-day 15% petition option under Section 5-17-20. Residents seeking further documents were directed to submit FOIA requests to Town Administrator Christine McKaba at cmckaba@reidvillesc.gov.