Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Barnwell County Council members and administrators met on August 18 to set priorities for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Five areas were set as priorities in no particular order for 2023-24; the landfill, the animal shelter, quality of life for county residents, infrastructure, and housing.
Current chairman Jerry Creech set his goals for his chairmanship at a December 2022 council meeting stating, “We’re pushing Barnwell County into a modern county.”
The goals set late last year reflect some of the goals identified at the recent priority setting meeting. Last year’s goals include: working with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to renovate facilities at the state park and create more recreational opportunities on Lake Edgar Brown.
Chairman Creech also proposed county projects from funding from the next Capital Project Sales Tax including a new animal shelter, a new coroner’s facility, a looped system of water services throughout the county, expansion of the detention center, and bringing broadband to the entire county when he first entered as chairman.
Landfill
Goals regarding the Barnwell County Landfill include updating vehicles and purchasing new equipment. At the September 12 meeting, public works director Curtis Hogg gave an update on acquiring a new machine that will ultimately expand the lifespan of the landfill.
Hogg provided a quote to purchase a compactor- a 90,000-pound machine to compact trash currently sitting on the construction and demolition (C&D) hill.
This machine “should take what waste we have and reduce it by 20 percent just from compaction through the next five years,” said Hogg.
Hogg explained in 10 years, there could be up to 35 percent more space if this machine is purchased for the landfill.
“Our biggest dilemma here early on is we’ve got 20-year-old trash that has never been compacted,” said Hogg.
Within the first five years of compacting trash, the landfill will gain seven years onto its total lifespan/capacity. Hogg projected within 10 years of compacting, the landfill could gain as much as 15 years with no expansion needed. However, expansion could allow for the landfill to be sustained for multiple decades to come.
He received four quotes for this machine ranging from $568,000 to $1.1 million, and spoke before the council to get approval to continue this process after meeting with the finance committee.
The finance committee recommended a seven-year financing option with $100,000 down and $103,799 per year to be paid on the date of delivery each year. For example, if the machine is purchased on October 1, 2023, the payments will be due on October 1 of each following year until paid.
Hogg is currently hiring an operator for this machine.
A new scale house with a possible relocation is also on the list, including upgrading the scales.
Due to the landfill capacity issue at hand, county officials are looking at the possibility of expansion by purchasing additional land as aforementioned.
Also to be updated at the landfill includes repairing the perimeter fencing, security cameras, and signage.
Convenience centers were also considered to be updated including paving, improvements to sheds, needed expansion, security, lighting, and landscaping. Hours of operation are also being considered.
Animal Shelter
When Creech first sat in the chairman’s seat, he listed upgrading the Barnwell County Animal Shelter (BCAS) a priority. Now, officials hope to build a new facility.
The shelter is currently operating far above capacity with a severe surplus of animals. Structural and facility challenges prevent significant positive growth in the realm of animal welfare, resulting in numerous animals being euthanized solely for space.
The BCAS board meets monthly and discusses fundraising opportunities to secure the needed funds to make this new facility a reality. However, on the county’s list of tasks to be completed by staff and committees is to “address whether an animal shelter board is needed.”
Quality of Life
Some of the projects discussed to improve the quality of life for residents include expanding the Steel Creek Boat Landing to accommodate more visitors and provide for more accessibility to the Savannah River.
This landing has been an ongoing conversation between Barnwell County Council members and DNR, similar to increasing amenities at Lake Edgar Brown. The council hopes the state department will take action and provide support in making these areas more usable for residents.
Improving Lake Edgar Brown has been named a flagship project in hopes to elevate it into a premier destination including an amphitheater with capabilities for concerts, entertainment, and community events. Catering spaces and a history walkway are also on the list of ideas.
According to Chairman Creech at the Sept. 12 meeting, the Barnwell County Recreation Committee recently met with DNR regarding the lake.
“DNR has promised to give us a report in 90 days about installing water cutovers to get rid of the algae out of the lake…possibility of sharing funds for keeping the lake clean with the city and county,” said Chairman Creech.
The chairman hopes progress can be made with the lake to make it “beautiful and good for people to swim in.”
In Williston, “taking frisbee golf to new heights” was identified as a goal. This includes improving the course and accessibility.
In Healing Springs, the county is looking at enhancements for the land deeded to God including signage celebrating the area’s rich history and a general freshening up.
Infrastructure
A goal in the realm of infrastructure includes completing the sewer connection from SCAT Park to the City of Barnwell. This has been approved by both the city and the county.
Another item on this list is “water project to serve [the] county.”
At the council’s September 12 meeting, district three resident Cole Page spoke during public comment requesting an update on this suggested looped water system. He stated he requested updates from both his councilman, Don Harper, and from Administrator Tim Bennett– neither of which provided the requested information, according to Page.
Broadband capabilities are currently moving throughout the county through various initiatives. Councilman Daniel Alexander was tasked with finding ways to facilitate bringing internet access to residents, and has provided numerous status updates. Currently, CarolinaConnect is being installed throughout the county with only certain areas currently without access. In December 2022, Chairman Creech hoped broadband services would be completed by 2024.
Also on this list is to work with regional, state, and federal officials to explore construction of a bridge across the Savannah River to connect Barnwell County with Burke County in Georgia, encourage the expansion of interstate 77 from Columbia to Hardeeville, and encourage making U.S. 78 a four-lane highway from Aiken to Charleston.
Housing
In the realm of housing, the council hopes to encourage developers to build houses in the county to meet the needs of families across the economic spectrum.
At the September 12 meeting, a presentation was given by Lower Savannah Council of Government’s (LSCOG) housing manager, Regina Jackson.
Jackson presented the goal of the Home Program through the Lower Savannah Regional Housing Consortium – a program made to decrease the barriers of housing affordability utilizing a $1,187,579 fund allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
This program aims to increase the supply of decent, affordable housing for low and very low-income households.
“Our main goal for the Home Program for the Lower Savannah Regional Housing Consortium is to increase the supply of decent, safe, affordable housing for the low and very low, and also the moderate income household, to preserve existing housing stock, and to improve the capacity of local housing providers,” said Jackson.
According to Jackson, this program is designed for homeownership rehabilitation, homebuyer activities, and for rental housing development. The funds from this program can be used to bring homes up to code.
“We are doing a lot in the upcoming year with the Home Program,” said Jackson.
HUD also allocated $3,855,545 to LSCOG for their Home-Arp program aimed at helping “the sheltered and unsheltered homeless population and for those currently housed population at risk of being homeless,” said Jackson, who is actively working in the communities a part of the consortium.
The consortium consists of six counties: Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, and Orangeburg which serves as the lead entity.
Here is a list of tasks set to be addressed by county committees and staff members:
