NEWBERRY COUNTY

CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

 

Minutes for April 12, 2007

 

 

The first meeting of the Newberry County Citizens Advisory Committee was held on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 6:00 pm at Council Chambers of the Courthouse Annex, 1309 College Street, Newberry, SC 29108 

 

Present: 

County Council Members:  Henry Summer, Chairman; Bill Waldrop, Vice- Chairman, John Caldwell, Henry Livingston, III, Edgar Baker, John Dawkins

 

Citizens Advisory Committee:  Vina Abrams, Jerry Wright, Peggy Schumpert, Andrew Shealy, Vicki Mays, Wayne Nichols, Blake Johnson, Terry Cotney, Carl Marr, Marry Arrowood, Lisa Toland, Wayne Pratt, O.L. Johnson, Jr., Cathy Brehmer, Mike Davenport, Ted Waites, Phillip Epps, Terry Koon, Stuart Peters, Doris Corbitt, Jerry Coffey, Hugh Gray, Gloria Lemus, Tom Crooks,  & Donnie Sligh.

 

Others:

Gary Pope, County Attorney

Wayne Adams, County Administrator

Cindy Pitts, The Newberry Observer

3 Spectators

 

 

1.      Call to Order and Welcome

Henry Summer, County Councilman Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  He welcomed all members and thanked them for agreeing to serve. 

 

2.      Discussion of the Committee’s Role in County Government

Henry H. Livingston, III, County Councilman recapped his purpose for establishing the Committee.  He thanked the members for agreeing to serve and for giving of their time. He also stated that from the Committee he hoped that citizens would be able to establishing trusting relationship with Council.  

 

3.      SC Freedom of Information At (FOIA) &

4.      Rules of Order for Public Bodies

 

Gary Pope, County Attorney, highlighted information provided in the handouts Public Official’s Guide to Compliance with South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act & Rules of Order for Public Bodies Chapter 31: County Council  He stated that this committee would be governed by these guidelines and is open to the public.

 

5.      Election of Chairperson

Nominations from the body were accepted.  O.L. Johnson, Jr. was nominated, but declined.  The next nomination was for Mike Davenport followed by a recommendation that nominations come to a close.  It was moved and seconded by the body that Mike Davenport would serve as chairperson.

 

6.      Election of Vice-Chairman

Nominations from the body were accepted.  Tom Crooks was nominated followed by a recommendation that nominations come to a close. It was moved and seconded by the body that Tom Crooks would serve as vice-chairperson.

 

7.      Election of Recording Secretary

Nominations from the body were accepted.  Vina Abrams was nominated, but declined.  The next nomination was for Lisa Toland followed by a recommendation that nominations come to a close.  It was moved and seconded that Lisa Toland would serve as recording secretary.

 

8.      Discussion

Several items were discussed by various members of the body and County Council members:

·        Presentation of 2007-2008 County Budget by County Administrator Wayne Adams & staff at the April 19 meeting. 

·        The County is a political subdivision of the state

·        What is the lifespan of the committee?

·        Reassessment

·        Capital Project Sales Tax Items

·        Stability in the office of the County Administrator.  How many County Administrators has the county had in recent years?

·        If members are not able to attend a meeting is there a make-up date?

·        Will committee members be able to receive handouts about the 2007-2008 Budget before the next meeting?

·        Should all members work on the same areas or should sub-committees be established?

·        The meeting time and location of the Committee.

o       After discussion the time of the April 19th meeting was moved to 7:00 pm. in the Courthouse Annex Conference Room. There will be more discussion about a set meeting time at the April 19th meeting.

 

After the April 19th meeting there will be an organizational meeting of the Committee to answer many of the discussion questions by focusing on --  where do we go from here?  What should be the primary focus of the Committee?

 

9.      Approval of Next Meeting Time and Location

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 19, 2007 at the Courthouse Annex Conference Room.

 

10. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 by Henry Summer, County Council Chairperson.