County contributes $1 million to hospital pension plan

The gavel was passed to newly-seated Chairman Jerry Creech at the Jan. 10 Barnwell County Council meeting.

Councilman Harold Buckmon served as chairman until the seat’s two-year rotation at the beginning of 2023, and was presented a plaque honoring his continued service to the county in this position.

Councilman Daniel Alexander, Councilman David Kenner, and Councilman Buckmon were all sworn in by Barnwell County’s Clerk of Court, Rhonda McElveen, after being re-elected to the council in November 2022.

Hospital Pension Plan

The council approved a $1 million contribution to the Barnwell County Hospital Pension Fund to keep the promises made by previous councils to former hospital employees.

Councilman Alexander broke down the ways he and the finance committee have been working over the past year to continue the commitments made to former employees of the Southern Palmetto Hospital who are under the hospital pension plan.

Although the Barnwell County Hospital Retirement Plan is currently fully funded, it is funded on an as needed basis by the county. The finance committee alongside a team from McGriff Insurance Services worked to figure out a funding plan that would benefit pensioners.

Through coordination with treasurer Sandra Cochran and the county’s financial team, it has been determined that a $1 million contribution to the pension fund needs to be made from the general fund.

Councilman Alexander described this as the “first step in creating a sustainable pension plan for the former employees.”

This will not only show the dedication of the county to live up to the commitments made by previous councils, but maintain the pension fund.

When Southern Palmetto Hospital closed abruptly in January 2016, it left an entire staff of medical personnel without jobs. The facility closed due to a decline in patients and financial despair after serving the community for over 60 years as the only hospital in the county.

Museum Board

The Barnwell County Museum Board has faced upheaval in recent months with the removal and reappointment of various members. At the December 13, 2022 county council meeting, Porter Claytor spoke to the council regarding his termination from the board.

“Since I was not afforded any reasonable explanation for my being fired from the museum board I would like to go on record in an effort to leave some honor in my name,” said Claytor at the meeting.

During public comment, Claytor detailed his short and confusing time on the board under the leadership of former chairman Milton Harden.

Claytor became aware the museum had $80,000 of alleged unspent funds, and he began to inquire why it was not used for the building’s needed renovations when he joined.

The museum has been stalled in a couple projects over the past years. The projects have continued to slow down due to supply chain issues from the pandemic which led to complications with contractors. This has been discussed by Harden and council members at past committee and county council meetings.

“I respectfully ask of the council what the concerns were, who actually had them, and why was the museum’s health not taken into consideration,” said Claytor of his removal.

According to Claytor, he was informed by County Administrator Tim Bennett via email there was, “concern that included the way Board Chairman Milton Harden had been treated.”

In his statement, Claytor found this situation to be “an injustice more to the county than myself,” and “proof the 'Good-Ole-Boy' network that does not care for fairness or truth.”

Harden served the museum board from 2019 until his resignation in late 2022. Harden stepped down from this position after navigating supply chain and communication issues on the various renovation projects.

After his resignation, Harden was open to rejoining the board in the future provided there is clarity and communication from the county.

“The museum board, once chaired by Mr. Harden, and the museum staff of Ms. Harber and Ms. Geter have guided the museum through rough financial times and through the challenges of renovating portions of the museum building that need work,” said Administrator Bennett. “It has been an ongoing challenge to renovate portions of the building due to the lack of sufficient funding and the impact of the current economic times where there’s been difficulty finding construction contractors. From the county staff’s perspective, we would welcome Mr. Harden back to the museum board anytime.”

At the Jan. 10 meeting, Chairman Creech appointed Harden back to the museum board as a member. The museum board will elect its next chairman at a future meeting.

Recreation

Pam Rush, director of the Axis I Center, provided an update on the four upcoming pickleball courts at the Barnwell County YMCA.

A county review team which Rush is a member of recommended the contract be signed with Terra Excavating, LLC, of Augusta, Ga., for a tentative $230,000 to construct the courts.

Rush explained the commission recommended this company to the council for approval because they asked detailed questions and provided thorough feedback of the project.

A geotechnical survey is planned to be conducted. This survey will look at the physical characteristics of the ground and based on the results, may raise or lower the predicted cost of $230,000.

The funding for the pickleball courts, the construction of a new parking area at the YMCA, the rehab of current parking areas in both the side and back of the YMCA has not yet been determined. 

The county will need to spend the money upfront, according to Bennett. 

The intent of county council is seek reimbursement from the Barnwell County Economic Development Fund administered by the SC Office of Regulatory Staff, according to Bennett.  

Councilman Kenner inquired about the pickleball courts coming to Blackville. The courts in Blackville will not be funded by the county and are being organized by the town's recreation committee. 

Chairman Creech also detailed some other new facets coming to the YMCA such as an additional sidewalk at the main gate as well as a pool cover.

$70,000 has already been donated toward the fundraiser to get a pool cover. This cover would allow students involved in the emerging swimming team at Barnwell High School to use the pool year round.

Chairman Creech also expressed interest in revamping Barnwell County’s state park during his time as chairman to attract more visitors and better serve residents.

Landfill

The Solid Waste Engineering contract was awarded to LaBella Associates of North Charleston for projects at the county landfill and other related projects.

LaBella Associates was one of three companies who responded.

Fees with respect to each project will be determined in the proposal for the specific project.

Retail Strategies

Retail Strategies is a nationwide company that works with municipalities to increase economic development and energize downtown revitalization.

The company created a proposal to bring their services to Barnwell County in 2023 and 2024 through partnerships with local municipalities and agencies.

The goal is to foster new development in the retail sector in the cities of Blackville, Barnwell, and Williston with the financial assistance and support of the Barnwell Economic Development Commission (Barnwell EDC), Southern Palmetto Regional Chamber of Commerce, SouthernCarolina Alliance, and Barnwell County.

Councilman Alexander expressed at the council meeting that the finance committee felt it was a good program to support.

The proposed investment per year for 2023 and 2024 differs for each organization involved. These numbers and partnership are not finalized as this is a proposal, and has not yet been approved by all councils involved.

The Barnwell EDC is tentatively set to invest $20,000, Barnwell County is set to invest $10,000, the City of Barnwell is requested for $5,000, and both towns of Williston and Blackville are planned to invest $2,500 each.

The total contract cost is $40,000 per year, and municipalities can use funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act for these services if they choose to work with Retail Strategies.

The effort is to solicit 30 retailers, restaurants, brokers and/or developers each year to market retail opportunities within the county at large.