City of Tega Cay City Council Meeting Summary: Budgets, Contracts, and Public Input

The Tega Cay City Council met on August 18, 2025, addressing several key items, most notably the fiscal year 2025-2026 budgets, the contentious food and beverage license agreement for the Tega Cay Golf Club and Glennon Center, and a public hearing on the new budgets. The council unanimously approved a motion to change the city’s fiscal year to align with the state and county’s schedule. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the emotional and heated public discussion surrounding the awarding of the food and beverage contract, which ultimately was awarded to The Garrison. The council also voted to adopt the new nine-month budget and approved a bid for debris removal at Fort Mill River. The meeting included comprehensive reports from the City Manager and various commissions.

Detailed Summary of Agenda Items and Council Actions

1. Public Hearing: FY 25-26 Budgets

The City Council held a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2025-2026 budgets, which will cover a nine-month transition period from October 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. This change is to align the city’s fiscal calendar with that of the state and county.

The City Manager presented the budget highlights:

• General Fund: $16,076,217 in revenues and $14,195,977 in expenditures
• Beach & Swim Center: $172,250 in revenues and $117,805 in expenditures
• Utilities (TCUD): $5,890,105 in revenues and $5,650,062 in expenditures
• Storm Water: $1,200,000 in revenues and $894,908 in expenditures
• Events & Tourism: $162,965 in revenues and $162,965 in expenditures
• Hospitality Tax (H-Tax): $300,000 in estimated revenues and $239,315 in expenditures

The City Manager noted that due to a reassessment year, the millage rate is proposed to be lowered from 89 mills to 87 mills. This would result in a property tax increase on a $100,000 property of approximately $44 per year, or $4 per month. The budget also includes a 8% sewer rate increase as a pass-through from the City of Rock Hill. Additionally, the budget plans to add seven new employees: two utility maintenance staff, three firefighters, one police dispatcher, and one HR specialist.

2. Presentations & Reports

• City Manager’s Report: The City Manager’s report covered the distribution of ARPA funds to small businesses, with 10 of 35 applicants qualifying. He also announced that the planning commission approved preliminary plats for The Grove (formerly Main Street Tega Cay) and Alderwood (formerly Lakewood). The Fire Department reported an increase in environmental emergencies due to heat exposure, and the Police Department reported 491 calls for service. Fall sports registration is officially complete with 2,167 children enrolled
• Committee/Commission Reports:
  • Planning Commission: Approved the preliminary plats for Alderwood and The Grove Phase 1.
  • Economic Development Commission (EDC): Discussed the next business connect meeting and welcomed a guest speaker from the Fort Mill School District.
  • COG (Council of Governments): A representative reported on two grants available for municipalities from the South Carolina Energy Office.

3. Public Comments

The public comments section was dominated by discussion of the food and beverage license agreement. Several residents spoke passionately in favor of the current operator, John Weinbrener, citing a petition with over 500 signatures, his community involvement, and the business’s financial success as a top hospitality tax producer. 

4. Approval of Minutes

The council unanimously approved the minutes from four previous meetings:

• July 9, 2025 Special Workshop Meeting
• July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting
• July 21, 2025 Special Meeting
• July 23, 2025 Special Workshop Meeting

5. New Business

• Awarding the Food and Beverage License Agreement: The council considered awarding the food and beverage license agreement for the Tega Cay Golf Club and Glennon Center. The Mayor made an impassioned plea to the council to listen to the will of the people and award the contract to the current operator, citing the petition and a majority of the emails he received. Councilmembers Brian Carter, Scott Shirley and Carmen Miller, however, maintained that the decision was based on a thorough review of all proposals, with Carmen Miller stating that the selected bid was the most responsive and in the best interest of the city. Ultimately, the motion to award the license agreement to The Garrison passed with a 3-1 vote.
• Ordinance to Amend the Fiscal Accounting Period: The council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to change the city’s fiscal year from October 1 to September 30 to July 1 to June 30. This change will create a one-time, nine-month transition budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
• Ordinance to Adopt the FY 25-26 Budgets: The council unanimously approved the first reading of the ordinance to adopt the fiscal year 2025-2026 budgets. Prior to the vote, a discussion ensued regarding the millage rate. While the proposed budget included an 87-mill rate, one council member proposed amending the motion to an 86-mill rate. The amendment was discussed and passed unanimously before the full vote on the budget ordinance.
• Awarding the Bid for Fort Mill River Access Debris Removal: The council unanimously voted to award the bid to Riverwalk Landscaping in an amount not to exceed $12,000 for debris removal at the Fort Mill River access. This project is part of the city’s efforts to get reimbursement from FEMA following Hurricane Hela.