NEWBERRY COUNTY COUNCIL

MINUTES

APRIL 25, 2006

 

 

The Newberry County Council met on Tuesday, April 25, 2006, at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room for a budget workshop. 

 

Present were:                Henry B. Summer, Chairman

Mike Hawkins, Councilman

                                    William D. Waldrop, Councilman

                                    John David Dawkins, Councilman

                                    Andy Morris, Councilman

                                    Edgar Baker, Councilman

J.E. Klugh, Acting County Administrator

                                    Gary T. Pope, County Attorney

                                    Susan C. Fellers, Clerk to Council

                                    Debbie S. Cromer, Finance Director

 

Absent:             John E. Caldwell, Councilman

 

Press:                           Cindy Pitts, Newberry Observer

                       

Others Attending:            Judy Floyd, County Treasurer

                                    Lee Foster, Sheriff (arrived 1:50 p.m.)

Dan Kingston, Sheriff’s Office

                       

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

 

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

 

Mr. Summer had the invocation.

 

Mr. Klugh is awaiting information from the South Carolina Association of Counties as to what other counties in the state do as far as charging fees.

 

An in depth discussion as held regarding a vehicle fee.  There are 36,501 vehicles registered in Newberry County.  The consensus of Council was to add a road vehicle fee.  Mr. Klugh is to work up the figures, but the fees cannot generate more than it costs to maintain the county roads. 

 

The Accommodations Tax at 3% would generate approximately $48,000 in revenue.  Mr. Pope is to prepare an ordinance.

 

No information was yet available on the hospitality tax.  Mr. Pope will check with the South Carolina Association of Counties as to the existence of a form ordinance. 

 

Mr. Hawkins moved to go into Executive Session to discuss contractual matters involving the City (Highway 219 Interchange project and the Newberry County Library) and a legal matter involving J.F. Hawkins and Springfield Place; second by Mr. Baker.  Vote was unanimous.  [Mr. Caldwell absent]

 

Prior to actually going into Executive Session, Council continued discussions of the budget.

 

Mr. Waldrop requested information as to how much money had been spent this fiscal year that was not budgeted. 

 

A question arose as to whether it was the responsibility of the County or the Fairgrounds Commission to cut the grass and clean up around the fairgrounds.  The consensus of Council was that since the County owns the fairground property, it is the County’s responsibility, and Mr. Klugh will so advise the Public Works Department. 

 

Budget discussions were finished, and Council went into Executive Session at 3:50 p.m.

 

At 4:30 p.m., Mr. Morris moved to return to open session; second by Mr. Hawkins.  Vote was unanimous.  [Mr. Caldwell absent]

 

There was nothing to report from Executive Session, and accordingly, Mr. Baker moved to adjourn; second by Mr. Dawkins.  Vote was unanimous.  [Mr. Caldwell absent]

 

Meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.

 

 

                                                NEWBERRY COUNTY COUNCIL

 

 

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                    Henry B. Summer, Acting Chairman

                                                                       

 

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                    Susan C. Fellers, Clerk to Council