The Edgefield County Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2002, in the County Council Chambers, 225 Jeter Street, Edgefield. Chairman Kneece called the meeting to order and Mr. Kneece also gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited.

Monroe Kneece, Chairman

Willie C. Bright, Vice Chairman

Norman Dorn, Councilman

William R. Vaughan, Councilman

Joel Hudson, Councilman

Wayne Adams, County Administrator

John F. Byrd, Jr., County Attorney

Barbara R. Stark, Clerk to Council

and others as per list attached

Motion was made by Councilman Dorn, seconded by Councilman Vaughan, to approve the minutes of the following meetings:

Motion carried.

Number three, corespondence from Turner Padget Graham & Laney P. A. concerning a deed from W S. May, Sr. to Edgefield County. The Administrator explained that this concerns an easement that was deeded to the county in 1978. Found no record of the county having accepted the deed. The deed was made to the county probably without the knowledge of the county. The problem now is that it is involved in a property boundary dispute, and evidently one of the parties has been paying taxes on the right-of-way all of the time. No road there, just grown over forest area. Attorneys will recommend that we do a quit-claim deed and possibly, because there is a statute that requires an ordinance and a public hearing whenever the county conveys property, we might have to go through that procedure. The County Attorney, John Byrd, stated that basically it is a strip of land that was conveyed to the county that it would be with the understanding that there would be a road put there by the developer. There was a road cut on the opposite side next to

EDGEFIELD COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING

a major road, and there is a suit pending in the courts at the present between the landowners. County is not involved in that part of it – not an interest or any use other than it is deeded to the county. Checking into it we find no record that the county accepted it in the 1970’s. One of the landowners, Mr. Slattery, is the landowner bringing the suit. Mr. Slattery is asking the county to quit-claim it back to him. Mr. Byrd’s recommendation, as was the administrator’s, was to convey the property by the way of quit-claim, no liability, no expense. Mr. Slattery’s attorney said they would draw the deed from the county. The deed will be presented at the November meeting.

Number four under reports (encroachment permit US Highway 25 at Vann Rd.). The Administrator stated that encroachment permit for widening Highway 25 in front of the Industrial Park has been issued. Bids are due at 2:00 p.m. on November 5^th and they will be presented to council that night at the county council meeting.

Number five, suggested amendments to Ordinance No. 01-02-413 (lot size and density ordinance) will be taken before the Planning Commission on Thursday night, October 10^th.

Motion was made by Councilman Vaughan, seconded by Councilman Bright, to accept third reading of Ordinance No. 02-03-426, "An Ordinance Authorizing the Negotiation, Execution and Delivery of a Lease-Purchase Financing Agreement or Agreements Pertaining to Road Maintenance Equipment and Other Related Documents Between Edgefield County, SC and a Qualifying Lender; and Other Matters Relating Thereto." Motion carried unanimously.

Motion was made by Councilman Bright, seconded by Councilman Vaughan, to approve third reading of Ordinance No. 02-03-428, "An Ordinance to Provide for the Issuance and Sale of a Not Exceeding Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) General Obligation Bond, Series 2002, of Edgefield County, SC, to Prescribe the Purposes for Which the Proceeds Shall Be Expended, to Provide for the Payment Thereof, and Other Matters Relating Thereto." Motion carried unanimously. This is a General Obligation Bond of the County to assist the Edgefield County Hospital with a cash flow shortage of $300,000 for the remainder of this calendar year.

Motion made by Councilman Vaughan, seconded by Councilman Bright, to approve second reading of Ordinance No. 02-03-427, "An Ordinance Amending §152.082 and 152.083 and Chapter 153 of the Edgefield County Code of Ordinances to Provide Clearer Standards for the Acceptance of Public Streets and Roads into the County Road Maintenance System, and to Clarify Standards for the County Approval of Private Streets and Roads." Motion carried unanimously.

EDGEFIELD COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING

Motion was made by Councilman Dorn, seconded by Councilman Vaughan, to approve Resolution No. 02-03-254, "A Resolution Providing for a Repayment Agreement pertaining to Working Capital in the Amount of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) Loaned to Edgefield County Hospital by Edgefield County." Motion carried unanimously.

(attached). Mr. Gilchrist said that last year Edgefield County was under a state-wide reassessment and there was an increase in county operations (value of a mill) that was about thirteen and a half percent, including serious depreciation on current manufacturing in the county. Really was a saver for the county. This year, the value of a mill is up less than 2/10 of 1%. That is devastating to this county. The growth in real estate is moving, very good. A new state law this past January reduced vehicle taxation from ten and a half percent to 9.75; January 1, 2003, that will go to 9%. That is something that the school board and county council will have to deal with in the next couple of years, involving these losses in the current levy. The Administrator commented on the vehicle taxes and the depreciation in manufacturing and the problem that presents is that more tax liability is shifted to the homeowner. Our tax base composition right now is about 50% real estate; about 20% automobiles and about 15% manufacturing. Those three areas together are about 85% of the tax base composition. With the automobile assessment ratios declining under the referendum that was held a couple years ago, more gets shifted, and with depreciation in the manufacturing base even more liability gets shifted. It underscores the importance of ‘re-stoking the fire’ so to speak with respect to manufacturing investment. If we are going to ease the problem of more and more being shifted to the homeowner, then manufacturing growth will have to be part of it. Mr. Gilchrist said from last tax year to this tax year depreciation was between eight and nine hundred thousand in assessed value; loss of revenue to current manufacturer. VF Playwear is coming on for the first time – looks like after infrastructure fee the first year their tax bill will be about $225,000.00. That will be a big help. Books will open October 23^rd. Motion was made by Councilman Vaughan, seconded by Councilman Bright, to accept the levies as recommended by the County Auditor. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Arthur Northrop next gave council a briefing on the Edgefield County Youth Soccer Association. Mr. Northrop was present asking for funding for the Association. He asked

for funding of $1,000 (last year’s appropriation was $2,000) only because they are in good shape and what they plan to use the $1,000 for is to continue to reduce the amount that is charged the boys and girls to play. There are about 140 children playing soccer. No admission is charged and concessions revenue pays the referees. Any funds left over are

channeled back to purchasing supplies. Motion was made by Councilman Vaughan, seconded by Councilman Bright, to approve.

$1,000.00 for the Edgefield County Youth Soccer Association. Motion carried unanimously.

The funding requested by the Oakley Park Museum stood as last year, $2,500.00. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Curtis Johnson, representing the Westside Community Center, addressed council concerning funding for roof repairs to the Community Center. It is used mostly for community affairs. Has not been used as a voting precinct in many, many years. In 1997-98 various community centers received $2,000 each for renovations. Westside did get the $2000 funding but they only used $425 at that time. The $1500 remaining was not escrowed. Motion was made by Councilman Vaughan, seconded by Councilman Dorn, to fund the Westside Community Center at $1,500, to be held until all funds are obtained necessary to repair the roof. Motion carried unanimously.

The following bids were received for the Lease/Purchase financing of a dump truck for the road department: First Citizens Bank (2.914%); BB&T Governmental Finance (3.390%). Motion was made by Councilman Kneece, seconded by Councilman Vaughan, to accept the bid of First Citizens, 2.914%. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion was made by Councilman Dorn, seconded by Councilman Vaughan, to approve the $2,873.00 bid submitted by Midlands Roofing for the repair of the roof at the ECCHO building on Gray St. in Edgefield. Motion carried unanimously

A. Payroll: 9/30/02 thru 10/13/02

Regular………………………………………………$87,691.37

Payroll: 10/14/02 thru 10/27/02

Regular………………………………………………$90,008.90

B. General Operating………………………………………….$653,892.76

Motion was made by Councilman Dorn, seconded by Councilman Vaughan, to go in executive session under (Section) §30-4-70 (a) (2),South Carolina Code of Laws 1976, as amended, to receive legal advice concerning a threatened or potential claim against the county. Council will return to regular session at the discretion of the Chairman.

No action taken in executive session. Directed the attorney to continue with the negotiations.

There being no further business, Councilman Dorn made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Councilman Bright. Motion carried. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2002. The County Council and the School Board will meet on Tuesday, October 15^th at the school for one of two of their annual meetings.

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Willie C. Bright, Vice Chairman

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Joel D. Hudson, Councilman

ATTEST

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Barbara R. Stark, Clerk to Council