Colleton County Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on June 3, 2025. The meeting was call to order by Chairman Scott Biering with the invocation given by Councilman Philip Taylor. Councilman Johnny Frank was unable to attend the meeting.
There were a number of awards and recognitions given during the meeting, Chairman Beiring read a proclamation declaring June 3rd as Sandy Steele Day to recognize her contributions to the Colleton County through her work in Economic Development.
Brian Haines, Chief Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston, presented a Letter of Appreciation to Colleton County Emergency Management for their work in preparedness and storm response.
Councilman Trippe read a proclamation declaring June 2025 as Elevate Fatherhood Month to celebrate the significant contributions of fathers to promote active involvement in their children’s lives.
Councilman Steve Murdaugh read a proclamation to honor Mr. Lee O. McKinnon, Sr. on his 100th Birthday. The decorated veteran of the U.S. Navy, Mr. McKinnon will celebrate his birthday on August 16th, 2025.
Chairman Beiring recognized Jimmy Hiott for his public service as Chief Executive Officer of Colleton Medical Center. Mr. Hiott recently left his position of 25 years with the hospital and council wished him well in his future endeavors.
Councilman Taylor read a proclamation declaring July 26th to August 3, 2025 as Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week. This year’s theme is “25 Years of Self-Determination: Celebrating the Roots and Legacy of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.”
During public comment, Andy Kubik, Director of TCTC, addressed council on behalf of his graduating seniors and highlighted the value of the TCTC training to the local community. TCTC students were able to speak about their experience with the program and the direction they would like to see the program proceed toward.
Mrs. Jenkins addressed council in reference to ditch flooding during heavy rain and Colleton County High School recognized its graduating seniors.
Mr. Michael Lewis and Mrs. Octavia Lewis of Aspire2Inspire appeared before council to address the Ruffin Project. They presented a video and discussed the plans for the old Ruffin High School Property including renovations to the building and ball fields. The site has been registered as a National Historic Site. The Lewis’s took questions from council.
Council welcomed the new Colleton County Administrator Thomas Higgs to his first council meeting.
Council held two public hearings, the first on Ordinance 25-O-03, “Amends and Extends the Term of the Agreement for Development for Joint County Industrial Park (The “Park”) Between Colleton County and Hampton County, South Carolina; to Further Amend the Agreement for Development Property in Colleton County as part of The Park; and other Matters Related Thereto.” This moved forward without objection.
The second public hearing was on Ordinance 25-O-04, “Approving an Application for Preliminary Certification for Historic Rehabilitation; and Other Matters Related Thereto.” This also moved forward without objection.
In old business, Council held 3rd Reading of Ordinance 25-O-03, This will “Amend and Extend the Term of the Agreement for Development for Joint County Industrial Park (The “Park”) Between Colleton County and Hampton County, South Carolina; to Further Amend the Agreement for Development Property in Colleton County as part of The Park; and other Matters Related Thereto.”
Council also held 3rd Reading Ordinance 25-O-04, “Approving an Application for Preliminary Certification for Historic Rehabilitation; and Other Matters Related Thereto.”
Council moved into new business with 1st Reading Ordinance 25-O-07 to “Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of a Fee In Lieu of Tax and Special Source Credit Agreement by and Between Colleton County, South Carolina and a Company Known to the County as the time as Project Star with respect to certain Economic Development Property in the County, Whereby Such Property will be Subject to Certain Payments in Lieu of Taxes, Including the Provision of Certain Special Source Credits; and Others Matters Related Thereto.”
Council heard 1st Reading Ordinance 25-O-06, this will “Amend Title 10 - Vehicles and Traffic, Chapter 10.04 Truck and Bus Restrictions, of the Colleton County Code of Laws to Prohibit No Through Traffic on Approved Colleton County Roads.” This will limit through truck traffic on Dandridge Road in Walterboro.
Council heard Resolution 25-R-33, this resolution, authorizes, “Under Certain Conditions, the Execution and Delivery by Colleton County, South Carolina of a Fee in Lieu of Tax Agreement with One or More Related or Affiliated Legal Entities as Sponsors and as Sponsor Affiliated Identified by the County as Project Star with Respect to a Project in the County Whereby the Project Would be Subject to Payment of Certain Fees in Lieu of Taxes; and Whereby Project Star will be Provided Certain Credits Against the Fee Payments in Reimbursement of Investment in Related Qualified Infrastructure; and Providing for Related Matters.”
The council authorized Resolution 25-R-34, this will “Authorize Acceptance and Budgeting of Funds for a Grant for FY25.” This will accept a special revenue fund from the South Carolina Department of Commerce LocateSC Fund Grant for $1,500,000 for real property improvements to the Colleton County Mega Site.
Council approved Resolution 25-R-36, “To Award an Indefinite Delivery Contract for Colleton County Solid Waste Engineering Services”. This will award the contract to Labella Associates for a two-year tear with an additional three, one-year terms available pending approval from council.
Council voted to reschedule the July and August County Council Meeting to avoid conflict with the July 4th holiday and the Association of County’s Annual Conference. The new meeting dates will be July 8,2025 and August 12, 2025.
Council passed Resolution 25-R-38, “To Declare Surplus Equipment and to Authorize the Sale in Accordance with County Policy.” This will surplus out and sell a 2000 Kenworth Tractor that is deemed no longer needed by the Solid Waste Department.
In other resolutions, Council appointed Chantel Brown of Wayne Construction to the Lowcountry Workforce Board and Sheila MacGruber to Colleton Cares f/k/a Colleton County Board of Disabilities.
During Council time Chairman Beiring read a letter from a resident thanking Councilman Taylor for assisting a family member who was having difficulty walking into a store. The resident thanked Taylor for going above and beyond to assist them.
Council went into executive session and came out with no action taken. The next council meeting will be on July 8, 2025 and all meeting can be watched online at colletonounty.org.
