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McBee council approves first reading of ordinance aimed at protecting town water system
Summary
The Town of McBee council on Jan. 5 approved a first reading of an ordinance that would require any sale, assignment or separate billing of the town'operated water system to be approved by the town's water customers, a provision tied to an outstanding USDA loan through 2040; council scheduled a public hearing and a second reading.
Mayor John Campolong presided over the Town of McBee's Jan. 5 regular meeting by conference call and the council approved a first reading of an addition to Chapter 17 (Utilities) intended to protect the town's water system while it remains obligated to a USDA loan through 2040.
The ordinance, read aloud by town attorney Martin Driggers, would require that water service be provided through the Town of McBee, require that any third-party provision be billed through the town, and require voter approval by referendum before the town could sell or assign the water system. "This isn't put into effect immediately," Driggers said during the reading, and he said the council would have an opportunity to revise language before a final vote.
Council members asked for clearer wording about who would vote on a sale or assignment and whether references should read "customers" or "taxpayers." Mayor Campolong and Council Member A.C. McLeod Jr. both said the obligation to repay the USDA loan is carried by the town's utility account and therefore water customers, not the general tax base, would be directly affected. McLeod urged adding language to make clear that a referendum would apply to relinquishing the "whole water system," not just contracting for particular services.
Town Clerk Tisha Jones confirmed the town has a contract with Oliver Environmental to perform water testing; Attorney Driggers said the proposed ordinance does not change who conducts regulatory testing, which is overseen by DHEC and Chesterfield County authorities. "Oliver is just doing water testing and they are not running the water system," Driggers said when asked about the contractor's role.
The council voted on the ordinance's first reading after a motion by Mayor Campolong and a second from Council Member Charlie Sutton; the motion passed "all in favor," with Council Member Glenn Odom excused from the discussion and recorded as recused from voting. Mayor Campolong and Driggers said the council will schedule a public hearing and a second reading, during which language distinguishing customers from taxpayers will be clarified.
The council also approved the prior meeting's minutes at the start of the session (motion by Mayor Campolong, second by Council Member Beulah Bolton).
