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McBee council approves first reading to annex land for Northeastern Technical College amid safety concerns
Summary
The McBee Town Council gave first reading to Ordinance 2025-A to annex five parcels for Northeastern Technical College, with discussion focused on traffic safety at the planned campus entrance; Mayor Glenn Odom and Councilman James Linton recused from the vote because part of the land is owned by Alligator Rural Water and Sewer.
The McBee Town Council gave first reading to Ordinance 2025-A on Aug. 12, a measure to annex five contiguous parcels into the town limits to accommodate Northeastern Technical College (NETC). The ordinance would add two parcels owned by NETC and three owned by Alligator Rural Water and Sewer (ARWS) to the town. Mayor Glenn Odom and Councilman James Linton recused themselves from the vote because part of the property belongs to ARWS.
The annexation does not create a tax advantage for the town because NETC and ARWS are nonprofit entities, Mayor Glenn Odom said, but it "will open up room for growth" and allow the town limit to move farther down toward the dirt road leading into the site. Odom said his primary concern is safety at the new campus entrance, describing a near-miss he observed: "I was going 45-mph in the 45-mph section going towards Hartsville, and an 18-wheeler passed me running at least 65-mph if not 85-mph. ... I'm scared kids coming and going there will get killed." (Mayor Glenn Odom)
Police Chief Knight also raised safety concerns, saying the department is worried about "the safety of the kids" because vehicles often travel at high speed on the four-lane. Councilman James Linton described the planned access as a primary entrance and warned that drivers cresting the hill have a clear stretch to accelerate. Councilman Robbie Liles noted that the State sets speed limits; Odom responded that the town can move its municipal boundary and request a state review of the posted limit, particularly because the site will host CDL training and regular student traffic.
Robbie Liles moved to accept the first reading of Ordinance 2025-A (annexing Tax Map 121-00000-19, 121-00000-42, 121-00000-44, 121-00000-47, and 121-00000-50); Ricky Peoples seconded the motion. The transcript records the result as "All in Favor." The record does not specify a roll-call vote tally. The ordinance proceeds to the required next steps for a second reading and final adoption.
The council also heard a presentation from Andy Ingram of Northeastern Technical College earlier in the meeting; specific presentation details were not included in the meeting record.
