NEWBERRY COUNTY COUNCIL

PLANNING RETREAT

FEBRUARY 11, 2006

The Newberry County Council met on Saturday, February 11, 2006, at 8:00 a.m. in the Conference Room at the Courthouse Annex for its Annual Planning Retreat.

Present were: Mike Hawkins, Chairman

William D. Waldrop, Vice-Chairman

John E. Caldwell, Councilman (arrived at 8:50 P.M.)

Henry B. Summer, Councilman

John David Dawkins, Councilman

Andy Morris, Councilman

Edgar Baker, Councilman

J.E. Klugh, Acting County Administrator

Leonard B. Sossamon, County Administrator

Gary T. Pope, County Attorney (left at 2:30 P.M.)

Susan C. Fellers, Clerk to Council

There was no representation from the media.

Notice of the meeting was duly advertised as required by law.

Mr. Hawkins called the meeting to order and determined a quorum to be present.

Council reviewed the 2005 Goals and Objectives, and the following discussions were held:

1. Section 803 of the Zoning Ordinance addresses junk cars.

2. Mr. Morris and Mr. Pope are to continue working on the perk ordinance.

3. Mr. Pope advised Council they would need to address charges and establish a policy for GIS data to the public.

Discussions were held about the form of government and the possibility of changing it from Council-Administrator to Council-Manager. Under the Council-Manager form of government the Auditor and Treasurer would be appointed by County Council and not elected by the voters. These two positions would then be under the direct supervision of the County Manager.

Mr. Caldwell expressed his opposition to the change of the form of government.

Mr. Pope advised that pre-clearance from the Justice Department would be required at least 60 days prior to an election.

Mr. Pope is to draft an Ordinance for the March 1 County Council agenda proposing that the change in the form of government be put before the voters in November.

Issues with the Water and Sewer Authority were discussed as well as the possibility of the county taking it over. Senator Cromer will support this provided the Board of the Water and Sewer Authority requests it. Mr. Pope suggested Council should decide what they want the Water and Sewer Authority to do and have a contract with them rather than a referendum. Mr. Pope will look into an ordinance for a referendum.

Sheriff Foster reported the lease had been signed with the Military Department for the OMS Building on Wilson Road. By leasing that building, two of the trailers can be eliminated and smaller trailers can be leased for the Sheriff Office operation. This will amount to a savings of at least $55,000 over the two year period. Air conditioning will have to be installed at the building, which will take up some of the savings. The driveway coming out on Wilson Road is dangerous, and the Sheriff will work with Carter Goble Lee to see what can be done to correct this.

Mr. Sossamon updated Council on the sales tax projects. Both the Library and Lake Murray projects have come in over budget. It appears that some of the fire departments and rescue squad may come in over budget.

It was suggested that Council authorize the Administrator to take proposals to have the timber cut on the Maybinton property.

Mr. Morris moved to ratify the decision for the Sheriff’s Office to move to the Armory property on Wilson Road; second by Mr. Baker. Vote was unanimous.

Mr. Pope requested that Council consider removing the reversion clause from the deed to HEAD Community Center.

Mr. Baker moved to release the reversion from the deed; second by Mr. Morris. Vote was unanimous.

Teresa Powers, Planning/Economic Development Director, reviewed the proposed Research/Service Performance Agreement from Clemson University. The total cost for Clemson to find financing elements for the county would be $26,335. Council requested that Ms. Powers contact Clemson University and see if they are willing to target one or two projects and what the cost would be.

Ms. Powers and Mr. Pope discussed the subdivision regulations currently in effect for Plantation Pointe. Their recommendation was that these regulations be modified and the restriction to Plantation Pointe removed and they be made county-wide subdivision regulations.

Mr. Pope is to draft an ordinance for the March 1 Council meeting for the subdivision regulations.

Mr. Morris moved to go into Executive Session to discuss an economic development/legal matter with Teresa Powers; second by Mr. Baker. Vote was unanimous.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION 11:39 A.M. – 12:20 P.M.]

Mr. Baker moved to return to regular session; second by Mr. Morris. Vote was unanimous.

Discussions were held on the proposed amendment to the Purchasing Ordinance. No consensus was reached by Council.

Mr. Klugh reviewed the financial state of the county and advised Council that in order to generate $2,859,543 (which is the amount the revenues are down), they would have to add 32 mills.

Alternate revenue sources including a business registration fee, hospitality tax, accommodations tax, and expired tag fines were discussed.

Sheriff Foster volunteered to perform a trial run on the expired tags. In addition, the County Administrator is to check with Judy Floyd, Treasurer, and obtain a list of persons who have not paid vehicle taxes.

Mr. Morris suggested purchasing additional radar units for the Sheriff’s Office as a means of generating additional funds for the county.

Mr. Pope is to look into the jail user fee ordinance.

Mr. Morris moved that the tax notices break down where the tax dollars go; second by Mr. Dawkins. Voting for the motion: Councilmen Waldrop, Summer, Dawkins, Morris and Baker. Councilman Caldwell abstained. Councilman Hawkins was out of the room at the time of the discussion and vote. Motion passed by majority vote.

Mr. Morris moved that reassessment notices print both the old and new assessments; second by Mr. Dawkins. Voting for the motion: Councilmen Waldrop, Caldwell, Summer, Dawkins, Morris and Baker. Councilman Hawkins was out of the room during the discussion and vote. Motion passed by majority vote. It was recommended that the county investigate the costs of this prior to actually doing it.

Mr. Klugh presented Council with a draft of the budget calendar. Budget work sessions were scheduled as follows: April 20, April 25, April 26 and May 2, 2006 from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Lewis Lee, Emergency Services Coordinator, updated Council on the emergency services study and advised that it should be completed within the next 60 days.

Mr. Caldwell moved to go into Executive Session to discuss a legal matter; second by Mr. Summer. Mr. Baker was asked not to attend the Executive Session. Vote was unanimous.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION 4:16 P.M. – 4:20 P.M]

Mr. Baker left at 4:16 p.m.

Mr. Dawkins moved to return to regular session; second by Mr. Summer. Vote was unanimous.

There being no further business to come before Council, Mr. Waldrop moved to adjourn; second by Mr. Dawkins. Vote was unanimous.

Meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

NEWBERRY COUNTY COUNCIL

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Mike Hawkins, Chairman

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Susan C. Fellers, Clerk to Council