Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Barnwell County Council Chairman Jerry Creech recognized retiring county employee Tammy Rhoden.
Numerous initiatives got started at the February 13, 2024 Barnwell County Council meeting.
Repurposed Funding for Recreation
Chairman Jerry Creech recommended the county contact the appropriate state entity to request nearly $2 million be repurposed for advancements at Lake Edgar Brown.
$1.5 million in legislative funds had been destined for a cover over the pool at the YMCA. However, the county would not be able to afford the installation and upkeep with this cover regardless of state funding.
“The cover for the pool is going to cost $3.5 million and $10,000 a month to heat and cool. We can’t afford that,” said Chairman Creech, who initially was an advocate for this recreational project.
Chairman Creech also recommended $200,000 reserved for water recreation at Steel Creek Boat Landing and $43,000 in fee funds be repurposed for initiatives at Lake Brown.
This recommendation was approved by the council, allowing county staff to pursue funding restructuring.
Hillary Hindman, the county’s recreation and community engagement director, is currently working alongside the Williston Recreation and Activities Committee to upgrade baseball fields in Williston. The county recreation committee will then focus on recreational opportunities in Blackville, such as a walking trail.
Chairman Creech also explained the recreation committee is in conversations about bringing clay shooting competitions to Barnwell in hopes of increasing tourism and therefore revenue in the county.
“Our recreation director is doing a fantastic job,” said Chairman Creech.
New Equipment
The county approved the purchase of a wheeled excavator for $249,528 from Hills Machinery Company LLC based in Columbia with an annual payment of $50,465.
According to director Curtis Hogg, the public works department had $50,000 in their budget for the down payment. The last $40,000 payment on the department’s 2018 Volvo Wheel Loader was paid in January, freeing up funding for the initial payment on the excavator.
Hogg explained this machine is essentially a trackhoe on wheels and will aid in efficiency efforts at the landfill. The excavator will rotate 360 degrees on a turntable to allow the operator to work from the front rather than the side of the machine like they would on a tractor.
The machine will arrive in six to eight weeks.
Recognition
Theresa “Tammy” Rhoden was presented with a resolution of recognition by Barnwell County Council members for her 23 years of service to the public works department as the administrative assistant.
“We’re going to miss you,” said Chairman Creech.
ATAX Committee
According to state law, counties and municipalities receiving more than $50,000 from the accommodations tax must appoint a seven-member advisory committee to make recommendations on spending tax revenue.
The accommodation tax is a seven percent sales tax on the gross proceeds of housing rentals or lodging accommodations, according to the S.C. Department of Revenue.
The advisory committee must submit written recommendations to a municipality or county annually. County staff selected a pool of potential applicants for council to appoint from at a future meeting.
Revising PILT
Councilman Daniel Alexander explained to county council members it may be time to revise the county’s PILT allotment from the Department of Energy Office of Management (DOEM). PILT stands for payment in lieu of taxes. PILT is given to Barnwell County for housing the Savannah River Site (SRS).
According to Councilman Alexander and the finance committee, land ownership is being transferred from DOEM to the National Security Authority (NSA) around October. With this transfer, there may be an opportunity to increase the allotment of PILT funding received by Barnwell County.
A similar effort was made by Barnwell County in 2014 producing a comprehensive study, and Councilman Freddie Houston explained the county has expressed discontent in the PILT allotment in letters to DOE in previous years.
No action was taken on this agenda item, but was for council consideration. The finance committee will continue to explore this project and report back to the council.
Renaming a County Building
The SCA Building will soon have a new name. Located at 54 Irving Street in Barnwell, this building holds numerous county offices and serves as the chambers for county council meetings.
The county government committee has been tasked with presenting options for a new name to the council.
