Barnwell County Council discusses Economic Development Grant, moves into executive session

Barnwell County Council met in a special called session on June 9, 2026, at 5:30 PM to discuss an Economic Development Grant. Chairman Freddie L. Houston Sr. presented the grant for discussion; the agenda item prompted the council to move into executive session and no final public action on the grant was recorded.

Councilman Hooper moved to approve the meeting agenda at the start of the session; Councilman Cruz seconded and the motion carried. After the grant was introduced, Councilman Hooper moved that the council go into executive session to discuss the Economic Development Grant and Councilman Cruz seconded; the motion carried. The meeting record notes that "there were no decisions made" while in executive session.

The public portion of the transcript does not include details about the grant amount, proposed recipient, or specific terms; those items were not stated in the on-the-record discussion. Administrator Riley is listed among attendees; the transcript does not show staff providing the grant’s financials or a recommendation in the public text. Clerk Barbara Kearse is recorded as attesting to the minutes.

After returning from executive session, Councilman Cruz moved to adjourn and Councilman Hogg seconded; the motion carried and the meeting adjourned. The county did not record a public vote or approval regarding the Economic Development Grant in this transcript. The council’s attendance list from the session names Chairman Houston, Councilmen Hogg, Cruz, and Hooper, and Administrator Riley; Vice Chairman Kenner and Councilmen Buckmon and Alexander were absent.