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Correction statement: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the St. Mark Community Center and the Brandt Building Parking lot were both finalized. The story has been updated.
On April 29, the Allendale County Council had a special-called meeting, in which it voted on items to include in its initial capital project sales tax list.
The council removed three items from its initial capital project sales tax list: a motor grader ($325,000) for the public works department, an HVAC system ($320,000) for the hospital, a community swimming pool ($500,000), and a St. Mark community center ($500,000). A parking lot for the Brandt Building ($100,000) of the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie was not finalized as the council is waiting on clarification from the attorney.
The community swimming pool was removed because the council estimates that the final cost of constructing the pool will end up being higher than the $500,000 estimate.
“I don’t think $500,000 is going to touch it,” said council member Matthew Connelly. “I think after last weekend, $500,000 could go to a lot better things.”
Items that were not taken off the initial capital project sales tax list were a backhoe ($200,000) for the county’s Public Works Department, a pumper tanker, cascade system and personal protective equipment ($700,000) for the Fire Department, vehicles and equipment ($300,000) for the Sheriff’s Department, E-911 upgrades ($275,000), plumbing replacement ($180,000) for the nursing home, and a Highway 3 Convenience Center ($250,000).
The council also voted to approve council member James White as a board member of SouthernCarolina Alliance, a regional economic development organization.
Elijah de Castro is a Report for America corps member who writes about rural communities like Allendale and Barnwell counties for The People-Sentinel. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep Elijah writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today.
