Resident tells Orangeburg County Council permit fees and rising costs are squeezing household budgets

A resident told Orangeburg County Council on June 1 that Orangeburg County’s median household income does not adequately cover everyday expenses and that high permit fees compound affordability pressures. David Thornberg told the council separate permits for construction, HVAC and plumbing make building costs higher in Orangeburg County than in neighboring counties, and he urged a review of the county’s permit fee structure and property tax burden.

Thornberg said rising costs leave little disposable income for groceries, fuel, taxes and other essentials, and he recommended that the county pursue higher‑paying technical and skilled jobs to expand residents’ earning potential. His remarks took place during the public comment portion of the meeting; Vice‑Chair Johnny Ravenell closed public comment and the council moved on to its regular agenda.

The minutes record the resident’s concerns and recommendations but contain no comparative fee schedules, data or replies from county officials during the meeting. Council members did not publicly debate or respond to Thornberg’s specific assertions during the session. The claim about permit fees being significantly higher than neighboring counties was not substantiated with comparative figures in the minutes.