Lancaster County Council Approves Key Budget Measures and Development Agreements

On May 27, 2025, the Lancaster County Council convened for a meeting that included several key approvals and discussions on important county matters, such as budget adjustments, zoning amendments, and board appointments.

The meeting began with a call to order by Chairman Brian Carnes, followed by a welcome, recognition, and the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation led by Council Member Steve Harper. The agenda for the evening was approved unanimously.

Key actions and discussions included:

• Citizens’ Comments: The council heard from several citizens regarding various topics, including a request to defer a project, support for grant applications, and concerns about specific road projects.
• Consent Agenda: The consent agenda, covering minutes from previous meetings and a zoning ordinance, was approved unanimously.
• Local Option Sales Tax Credit Factor: A resolution establishing the Local Option Sales Tax Credit Factor for the 2025 tax year was approved.
• US Highway 521 Widening Project Funding: A resolution supporting the county’s application for state funding for the US Highway 521 widening project was approved.
• Fee In Lieu Of Tax and Incentive Agreement (Project Janus/Atlas Copco Compressors, LLC): A public hearing was held, and the third reading of an ordinance for a fee in lieu of tax agreement with Atlas Copco Compressors, LLC was unanimously approved.
• Ordinance to Amend Fiscal Year Budget (Springdale Recreation Center Roof Repair): The second reading of an ordinance to amend the FY 2024-2025 budget to fund roof repairs at the Springdale Recreation Center was unanimously approved.
• Development Agreement Amendment (“The Exchange”): The first reading of an ordinance to correct and approve a second amendment to the development agreement for “The Exchange” mixed-use project was unanimously approved.
• Old Hickory Road Land Use Map Amendment: A public hearing was scheduled, but the item was postponed to the July 25th meeting at the developer’s request.
• Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Ordinance: The first reading of the budget ordinance for FY 2025-2026, including millage rates and fee schedules, was unanimously approved.
• Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Amendment: A public hearing was held, and the first reading of an ordinance to amend the ten-year Capital Improvement Plan was unanimously approved.
• Prioritized Community Needs List: The updated Prioritized Community Needs list from the Catawba Regional Council of Governments was approved.
• Removals and Appointments to Boards and Commissions: The council took action on removing a member from the Catawba Regional Workforce Development Board and approved several appointments and reappointments to various boards and commissions.

Detailed Summary of Each Agenda Item with Outcome by Council:

1. Call to Order Regular Meeting:

• Outcome: Chairman Brian Carnes called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00 p.m.

2. Welcome and Recognition:

• Outcome: Chairman Brian Carnes welcomed everyone to the meeting.

3. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation:

• Outcome: Council Member Billy Mosteller led the Pledge of Allegiance and delivered the Invocation.

4. Approval of the Agenda:

• Outcome: The agenda was approved by a unanimous 7-0 vote.

5. Citizens Comments:

• Summary: Four citizens spoke during this portion. George Kirlin raised concerns about an advertisement from the Lancaster County Library Board and requested postponing Library Board appointments for interviews. Hal Crenshaw and Brian Elliot both spoke about challenges faced by the Airport Advisory Commission, requesting changes to its authority. Bruce Cohen discussed the water line project for Rise Lane in Indian Land. Additionally, Nicholas Pasquine submitted written comments regarding specific budget item requests.
• Outcome: Comments were received. No immediate council action was taken on the topics raised during this segment, though later in the meeting, the Old Hickory Road item was deferred.

6. Special Presentations:

• Summary: Chairman Brian Carnes and Council Member Bryant Neal recognized the Andrew Jackson Girls Basketball Team for winning the State Championship, presenting each player with a Proclamation. Sam Plyler recognized three Lancaster County Fire Rescue students for receiving Top Honors at the 2025 SkillsUSA Firefighting Competition.
• Outcome: Recognition and commendation were extended.

7. Consent Agenda:

• Summary: This agenda included:
  • Approval of Minutes from the May 7, 2025, County Council Special Budget Meeting.
  • Approval of Minutes from the May 12, 2025, County Council Regular Meeting.
  • 2nd Reading of Ordinance 2025-1965: An Ordinance To Amend The Official Zoning Map Of Lancaster County To Rezone Approximately 3.221 Acres (TM# 0058-00-009.03), Near Tabernacle and North Rocky River Roads, from Rural Residential (RR) to Institutional (IN) for Buford High School Athletic Fields Expansion.
• Outcome: All items on the Consent Agenda (7a, 7b, 7c) were approved by a unanimous 7-0 vote.

8. Non-Consent Agenda:

• a. Resolution 1294-R2025 (Local Option Sales Tax Credit Factor):

  • Summary: This resolution aimed to establish the Local Option Sales Tax Credit Factor for the 2025 tax year. Stephany Snowden explained that this 1% sales and use tax provides property tax relief, and the credit factor is calculated annually based on revenue and assessed property values. The auditor’s report indicated a decrease in the credit factor due to reassessment, leading to a lower tax assessment rate.
  • Outcome: Approved unanimously by a 7-0 vote.

• b. Resolution 1295-R2025 (US Highway 521 Widening Project Funding):

  • Summary: This resolution sought support for Lancaster County’s application to the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank’s Rural Project Program for funding the US Highway 521 Widening Project. Jeff Catoe emphasized that securing this grant would open doors for further funding leverage for the project, noting that funds from Capital Sales Tax 3 could be used as a local match.
  • Outcome: Approved unanimously by a 7-0 vote.

• c. Public Hearing and 3rd Reading of Ordinance 2025-1964 (Fee In Lieu Of Tax and Incentive Agreement with Atlas Copco Compressors, LLC):

  • Summary: This ordinance authorized a fee in lieu of tax and incentive agreement with Atlas Copco Compressors, LLC (Project Janus). Brian Fulk stated that the company plans to invest $51 million and create 163 jobs, with average wages around $32 per hour. The agreement, for 20 years, offers incentives including a 50% special source revenue credit for the first 10 years and 25% for the subsequent 5 years. The agreement includes provisions for performance measurement related to investment and job creation.
  • Outcome: The public hearing was opened, and since no one signed up to speak, it was closed. The third reading of the ordinance was then approved unanimously by a 7-0 vote.

• d. 2nd Reading of Ordinance 2025-1968 (Amendment to Fiscal Year Budget FY 2024-2025):

  • Summary: This ordinance amended the current fiscal year budget (FY 2024-2025) to appropriate $155,000 from the unassigned general fund balance to the Parks and Recreation department for roof repairs at the Springdale Recreation Center. Jamie Privuznak noted a clerical typo in the ordinance title which had been corrected.
  • Outcome: Approved unanimously by a 7-0 vote.

• e. 1st Reading of Ordinance 2025-1969 (Development Agreement Amendment for “The Exchange”):

  • Summary: This ordinance sought to correct the developer’s name on the first amendment to the development agreement for “The Exchange” to C4 Exchange Land Co., LLC, and to approve a second amendment to the development agreement. The second amendment allows for a reduction in the density of residential units, specifically increasing townhomes while decreasing multi-family apartments, without exceeding the total of 720 residential units. This change was requested due to evolving market conditions.
  • Outcome: Approved unanimously by a 7-0 vote.

• f. Public Hearing and 1st Reading of Ordinance 2025-1972 (Amendment to Future Land Use Map for Old Hickory Road):

  • Summary: This ordinance proposed to amend the Future Land Use Map of the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan 2040, changing the designation for a property on Old Hickory Road from “Rural” to “Growth” to support a proposed 310-lot single-family subdivision. The Planning Commission had recommended denial due to concerns about infrastructure capacity, especially roads and public safety, despite water and sewer availability.
  • Outcome: The public hearing was not held as planned. The item was postponed to the July 25th meeting at the developer’s request, with a unanimous vote.

• g. 1st Reading of Ordinance 2025-1971 (Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Ordinance):

  • Summary: This ordinance proposed the detailed budget for Lancaster County for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, including setting millage rates and approving a schedule of taxes, fees, and charges. Sabrena Harris presented the budget, highlighting $8 million in new revenue, a 5% across-the-board salary increase for staff, and adjustments for existing and new positions (42 new positions and 27 position upgrades). The proposed budget features a no-millage increase with an overall millage rate decrease of 12.3 mills from the current year due to reassessment.
  • Outcome: Approved unanimously by a 7-0 vote.

• h. Public Hearing and 1st Reading of Ordinance 2025-1970 (Amendment to Ten-Year Capital Improvement Plan):

  • Summary: This ordinance proposed to amend the currently adopted ten-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2021-2022 through 2030-2031. Jamie Privuznak explained that the CIP is a financial planning tool, not an obligation of funds, and that revisions are requested annually by departments and reviewed by the Planning Commission. This year’s update included 25 new and revised projects totaling $22.5 million.
  • Outcome: A public hearing was held, and the first reading of the ordinance was approved unanimously by a 7-0 vote.

9. Discussion and Action Items:

• a. Approval of the Prioritized Community Needs List from the Catawba Regional Council of Governments:

  • Summary: Sherrie Simpson explained that approving this updated list is a requirement for the county to be eligible for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The list was discussed and updated after a needs assessment public hearing on April 14, 2025.
  • Outcome: Approved unanimously.

• b. Receive Information and Take Desired Action Regarding Removals from Various Boards and Commissions:

  • Summary: Sherrie Simpson presented information regarding Veronica Williams, representing the Lancaster Housing Authority on the Catawba Regional Workforce Development Board. Ms. Williams had not attended meetings for at least two years, prompting a request for her removal due to absences.
  • Outcome: The removal of Veronica Williams from the Catawba Regional Workforce Development Board for absences was approved unanimously.

• c. Receive Information and Take Desired Action Regarding Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions:

  • Summary: Sherrie Simpson presented several appointment requests:
    • Catawba Regional Workforce Development Board: John McCain was nominated to fill the vacant seat previously held by Veronica Williams for a three-year term expiring on December 31, 2027.
    • Keep Lancaster County Beautiful Board: Tony Flynn was nominated for reappointment as the District 7 representative for her second four-year term, expiring on June 30, 2029.
    • Planning Commission: Jason Paul Cavalier (District 1) and Francis Lou (District 7) were nominated for reappointment for their first full four-year terms, expiring on June 30, 2029. Both had previously served unexpired terms.
  • Outcome: All proposed appointments and reappointments were approved unanimously.