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City Council Meeting
June 9, 2025
Attendees: All present
Appearance Before Council
Shelly Williams identified herself to council as an activist, advocate, mentor, member of Racial Justice Network, and a servant with 30 years of community service. She further revealed that she had received no help or acknowledgement for her service. She stated that she had done all this work and received no respect.
She stated that she was tired of seeing council sweep issues under the rug and that she was present to talk about racial profiling by the city police department. She stated that her son was stopped by city police on April 26 because he was black. He was followed, targeted, stopped and dragged from his car. The police are liars and there were no concessions at his arrest. She stated that her son was not read his rights, and the police have no training on making a stop.
Writer’s Note:
It was later revealed that her son ran a stop sign, was driving on a suspended license, had marijuana in his car, and resisted arrest. Days after the council meeting, Ms. Williams and community leaders called for a boycott of downtown businesses due to racial profiling.
Tammy Breach appeared before council to ask for help with an abandoned property on Ivanhoe Drive causing unsafe and unsanitary conditions. The house was abandoned 8 years ago and has become a center for the homeless and drug activity. This is one of over 100 houses in the city that are being targeted for action by council.
Writer’s Note:
After the meeting I drove by this house and was amazed. This is a 5-bedroom brick house in an exclusive neighborhood. How do you abandon a house like this?
Public Hearings
No one requested to speak at public hearing.
Ordinances In Position
Second Reading
An ordinance to raise revenue and adopt the budget for City of Florence for 2025-2026. Introduction of the City of Florence FY 2025-2026 budget. The city has presented a balanced budget of $145M ($529K increase over last year).
An ordinance to amend the Unified Development Ordinance regarding cemetery preservation in future developments. New guidelines have been implemented on how to designate cemetery properties.
An ordinance to annex the 1.467 acres located at Toscanna Drive. This annexation was a major topic of discussion at the May meeting. No information was given on how this issue had been resolved with local residents who opposed the annexation without proper zoning.
Introduction of Ordinance
Resolutions
A resolution recognizing the Florence-Darlington Technical College baseball team for advancing to the NCAA Division I World Series.
A resolution honoring Cru Wine & Tap for contributions to downtown development.
Reports to Council
Recognizing Florence as the third best city to live in in SC by US News & World Report. The paper recognized Florence for its downtown, arts and food culture.
The mayor and team recently visited DC again to visit our U.S. Senator and House Representative for the purpose of identifying the need for allocations and grants.
The mayor held a meeting on June 16 with local church, business and community leaders to discuss how to diminish crime in the city.
Business Development Committee
Acknowledged the newly erected statue behind the federal building. The statue recognizes the importance of steel in the local economy. Florence is number one in the state for steel production and fabrication.
The committee also heard updates on water distribution and quality plans.
Writer’s Note:
It struck me that this was the end of another city council meeting with no highlighting or discussion of what the council will do with the ticking bomb of failure of the water system for the city and county. Should this not be the number one topic of the meetings to tell the public what is being done?
Community Development Committee
No report
Financial, Audit and Budget Committee
Reviewed the budget FY 2025-2026 with changes not affecting the total.
Executive Session: 2:22
County Council Meeting
May 15, 2025
Attendees: All Present
Public Hearing
Execution of a quit-claim deed of The Drive at Kraft Linderboard Mill Road.
Ratification of the FY 2025 Budget.
Ordinance to provide issuance of $4,950.00 General Obligation Bond.
Ordinance to provide for the Levy of Taxes FY 2025.
No one appeared for public comments.
Appearances
Paul Pittman appeared before the board representing The Florence Tennis Association. He thanked the council for recent expansions of tennis courts at Ebenezer, Lions, and Greenwood parks. The association will be sponsoring 18 large tennis tournaments this year. The Ron James Project provides instruction to over 500 local students annually.
Committee Reports
The Administration and Finance committee reviewed the proposed FY 2025 budget.
Public Services and County Planning discussed tax implications for the recent trend of barnominiums (combination of storage barns with living spaces).
The Justice and Public Safety committee received reports on the contracted fire and emergency services study.
Resolutions and Proclamations
A resolution recognizing Dr. Laura Hickman for 42 years in local education. She recently retired as superintendent of Florence School District Three after 10 years.
A resolution recognizing the students of All Saints’ Episcopal Day School as SCISA Middle School Battle of the Books State Champions.
A proclamation for the Month of June 2025 to be Elevating Fatherhood Month.
Ordinances in Position
Third Reading
An ordinance authorizing the expansion of the Florence-Williamsburg Industrial Park.
An ordinance decommissioning funds earmarked for the Ten Governors Solar LLC project. The council had issues with long term environmental impact from the solar farm.
Second Reading
An ordinance approving the FY 2025 Budget with contingency to receipt of grant approvals.
An ordinance to provide issuance of $4,950,00 General Obligation Bond.
An ordinance for the execution of FILO for Project Huckleberry was voted down by council. The project has decided to locate elsewhere.
An ordinance to provide the levy of taxes FY 2025 with a 1 mill increase with a 5 mill total for
Introduction
An ordinance to increase rental fees for the Lake House at Lions Park.
An ordinance to create a class of property defined as Chronic Nuisance Property.
Reports to Council
The county is launching an app for residents to report litter hot spots.
The county has entered a memo of understanding with the Open Space Institute Land Trust, Inc. to work on future land conservation projects.
Council awarded a contract with Collins & Almers Architecture for design of the new Sherriff’s Office evidence room.
Council was requested by the tax office to approve new policy statements regarding legal residence for foreign citizens visiting with Visas and visiting professional status. This change would allow visitors in these classifications to claim their homes as permanent residence.
Council awarded the Museum Expansion Project to Thompson Turner Construction of Sumter.
Council approved infrastructure projects in several districts totaling over $330K.
Adjournment 10:23
City Council Meeting
May 12, 2025
Attendees: All present
Writer’s Note: the topic consuming the most time in this meeting was the annexation of 1.5 acre area adjacent to Villa Toscanna. The issue was never resolved but was approved as a means of moving the issue down the road to the June meeting.
The important topic of the meeting actually took almost no time to consider because it was moved to executive session. The city recently moved to a process that required small business owners to attach a copy of their personal tax return when applying for business licenses. The process already requires two other official documents to give statement of gross revenue. Local business owners considered the tax return requirement to be overkill and overreach. In executive session, council determined that tax returns would not be a requirement for filing for a small business license. As is true with most things, this new requirement was politically motivated, and I have received more education than I wanted on the topic. If you want to know the full story, give me a call (843.610.5015).
Appearance Before Council
Joey McMillan appeared before council to express his opposition to the practice of requiring income tax returns as part of application for small business license.
Villa Toscanna homeowner’s association board to express opposition to the annexation of 1.5 acres of property at the entrance of their housing development.
Public Hearings
Introduction of the City of Florence FY 2025-2026 budget. The city presented a balanced budget of $145M ($529K increase over last year). This will result in a 7.5 millage increase based on the consumer index; of the 11.25 mills allowable by state law. Noted in the budget are 30 additional Flock cameras, a police K-9 officer, and a water leak response crew. It also includes $1.9M in utilities equipment replacement. It was also noted that in a late-session move, the SC legislature voted to not give any appropriations funds to local governments for projects. This lack of funding amounts to a shortfall of $16M and will place several city projects in jeopardy.
Discussion of allocations for Community Development Block Grant funds FY 2025-2026. The future of these grants are unsure because of the DOGE activity with national funds. The funds received in 2024 were $325K.
The criteria for the funds when available will be:
Low-moderate income
Slum protection
Needs urgency
Ordinances In Position
Second Reading
An ordinance to adopt the updated Downtown Design Standards was approved. These standards have gone through a committee to establish standards for materials, architectural design, and lot placement. The standards were accepted as discussed in the April council meeting.
An ordinance to amend the setback requirements for fall zones for communication towers within the city was approved. This ordinance had been moved to executive session in the April meeting due to issues during discussion.
Two ordinances of annexation were approved.
Introduction of Ordinances
An ordinance to enable the city to raise revenue and adopt the budget FY 2025-2026. Initial requests from city departments were $65M and required trimming. The largest portion of the budget will be $35M for personnel. The city millage rate is the fourth lowest amongst comparable cities in SC. Capital expenses will use early purchasing practices to reduce costs.
An ordinance to amend the Unified Development Ordinance regarding cemetery preservation in the city. This ordinance will be used to govern treatment of properties in development with small cemeteries in existence. Many of these cemeteries are in disrepair or abandoned. The cemeteries will be deeded as private property with 20’ easements and buffers.
Resolutions
A resolution to adopt the Community Development Block Grant Budget was deferred (see above).
A resolution naming the amphitheater at the Florence Veterans Park after Colonel Barry Wingard.
A resolution observing May as Lupus Awareness Month in Florence.
Reports to Council
Business Development Committee
Heard an update on the Urban Square development.
Received a third outside study on the Sewer Collection Master Plan. The preceding reports were on storm water and water distribution. No path forward has been adopted on any of these plans.
Community Development Committee
No report
Financial, Audit and Budget Committee
Reviewed the budget FY 2025-2026
Discussed the budget shortfalls from lack of state appropriations
Discussed the early purchase capital expenditures
Executive Session: 3:25
F1 School Board Meeting
May 8, 2025
Attendees: All board members present Except Bryan Chapman (again)
Awards and Recognition
The Superintendent’s Hidden Hero for the month is Ms. Teresa Cole. She started the Multilingual Program in F1 as a Specialist Coach. She has 30 years of experience as a classroom teacher but took on this new role in a completely different culture. She has formed bonds with the ever-increasing Latino student population in Florence. It is evident that she has done great work as a coach in helping students to master English in the classroom. Writer’s Note: if you haven’t noticed, the monthly Hidden Heros are being featured on digital billboards around town. I think this is a great move to help these heroes experience notoriety.
Thirty middle school students were recognized for attaining Junior Scholar status.
West Florence High School Assistant Principal Mr. Saani Perry was recognized for being named the National Assistant Principal of the Year (2025). Writer’s Note: please realize that this is a national award presented by the National Education Association; meaning he was recognized as the best in the nation.
South Florence High School was recognized as the 2025 Palmetto’s Finest Winner for SC high schools. The final contenders were Dorchester High School and St. James High School.
Senator Mike Reichenbach and his wife Charisse were present at the board meeting to present state senate resolutions honoring Mr. Perry and South Florence High School for the above-mentioned awards.
Public Participation
Jeremy Saunders appeared before the board to bring attention to the disproportionate weight of student bookbags to the body weight of middle and high school students. National chiropractic associations state that the bookbags should not exceed 10% of the student’s body weight. Bookbag weights above the 10% can result in back injuries and future chronic muscular and skeletal issues. Mr. Saunder’s daughter weighs 82 pounds and daily carries a bookbag weighing 20+ pounds (22.34%).
Tamika DeWitt appeared to request that the board consider naming the next new district building in the name of Pamela Little-McDaniel (F1 Director of Public Information).
Superintendent’s Report
The board approved the second reading of policies giving district employees leave days for wellness and dental examinations and community volunteer work.
The board approved class frameworks for honors piano classes. They also renewed the practice of allowing marching band students to receive physical education credits. Most importantly, F1 was chosen to do a pilot program for the state in honors AI by the SC Board of Education.
Adjournment: 8:20
Editorial
April 25, 2025
The following poll numbers are now about 10 days old.
Source and Trumps Ratings
Gallup: 45% Approve
Reuters: 42% Approve -- 52% Disapprove
Quinnipiac University: 41% Approve -- 53% Disapprove
American Research Group: 43% Approve -- 53% Disapprove
Cyngal: 47% Approve
Emerson: 47% Approve -- 45% Disapprove
Associated Press: 42% Approve -- 56% Disapprove
Help me understand what I am seeing in these polls from multiple sources.
45 – 56% of Americans:
Want our borders to be open?
Want us to be continually shut out of doing business in other countries?
Want us to keep illegal alien criminals in our country?
Want abuse and fraud to continue in government?
Want liberal judges to run the country?
Want our country to move from ‘woke’ to ‘dark woke’?
This many different polling organizations can’t be wrong.What have we become??
Larry Hill
County Council Meeting
April 17, 2025
Attendees: All Present
Public Hearing
An ordinance to enlarge the Joint Florence – Williamsburg Industrial Park for future development.
An ordinance to extend a Fee In Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes to Ten Governors Solar, LLC project.
An ordinance to apply surplus funds to improvements at Florence Regional Airport.
An ordinance to purchase the City Hall Building of Johnsonville for use by Florence School District 5.
No one appeared for public comments.
Appearances
Nicole Griggs representing Foster Care Clothing Closet to report on the use of funds given by County Council.
Denine Mitchell and Hope Hanna representing The Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault to speak about Sexual Assault Awareness month. They were advocating for prevention instead of aftermath care.
Several residents of The Tara Village Neighborhood Association to ask for support from council to revitalize the community. The residents gave examples of flooding, gun violence, road issues and no sidewalks. In 2017 council marked $150K for improvement of the storm drain system. However, there is no evidence that the work was ever performed.
Committee Reports
The Justice and Public Safety committee reported that they received a study on EMS staffing and response times from a third-party group. They also discussed the hiring of a county fire chief for the first time in unified district history.
The Agriculture, Forestry, Military Affairs & Intergovernmental Relations committee met with the City Conference Committee to discuss water, street lighting, and a proposal for quarterly joint meetings.
Resolutions and Proclamations
A resolution to recognize the week of April 13-19 as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. Four dispatchers were present to receive the resolution. The local dispatcher group handles over 1.6K calls each month. Florence dispatchers have received awards and recognition at the state and national level. They now operate from a state-of-the-art facility.
A resolution recognizing Barry Frick for his years of service to the maintenance and promotion of Florence County Lynches Park. Mr. Frick has worked to improve the river and is a regular kayak teacher and guide.
A resolution designating April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Florence experiences an assault rate of 8.69 per 10K, which is the highest in the state according to SLED. A resolution designating individual projects of $262K from CPST III Excess Funds.
Ordinances in Position
Third Reading
One ordinance to change future land use designation.
An ordinance pertaining to the East Highway 76 Gateway project.
Second Reading
Two ordinances (industry expansion and FILO) for Ten Governors Solar, LLC.
An ordinance authorizing the purchase of the Johnsonville City Hall Building for a lease-to-own agreement with Florence School District 5.
An ordinance authorizing use of surplus proceeds from the general obligation bond for a $122M investment in new evidence building for FCSO and a new EMS building.
Introduction
An ordinance to create the position of County Fire Chief.
An ordinance to create a new FILO for Project Huckleberry.
Reports to Council
The hiring of Wallace Jordan, Attorney at Law to represent the county in hearings with UPF Litigators in an attempt to recover proceeds for purposeful addiction of children with food and chemicals.
Presentation from Greg Davis of Mauldin & Jenkins CPA of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal 2024.
The statements of the audit are unmodified; or clean, which is the best rating. In an audit of internal controls, the audit found no non-compliance or deficiency.
The Federal Single Audit was also unmodified; this audit is required for any organization receiving over $150K in Federal funds.
Two jobs in the Council Clerk office were reclassified for recruitment and retention purposes.
These are budget neutral reclassifications due to departmental savings.
Adjournment
10:25
Editorial
April 16, 2025
Consider all the pushback we have witnessed in the past 100 days. The Democrats took a few weeks to deal with the shock of November 3. And then they started pushing back:
Federal court judges making lone decisions
Federal department heads refusing to be fired
Colleges and Universities refusing to accept responsibility for antisemitism
DOGE uncovering severe waste and fraud and that’s a bad thing
A senator using taxpayer money to go visit a criminal in El Salvador
Large crowds attending Sanders and AOC meetings
Economists tearing apart the tariff plans
Wall Street showing that they are totally disconnected to Main Street
The list seems to go on and on so here’s my question. Does it really feel like we are winning? We won much on November 3, but does it really feel like we are winning now.
My opinion is that it doesn’t feel like we are the winning team. Regrettably, I don’t feel like we will be the winners unless we decide to be disruptors and aggressively make the
point that Democrats have lost their minds. Does that mean that we have to take on some of the characteristics of the Democrat Party? Maybe the time has come for us
to finally take on those characteristics. We are the party of nice and it appears that we just can’t bring ourselves to break things. For instance, we should be shouting the facts about
Sen. van Hollen from the rooftops. We should be attacking him for never contacting the Morin family when their daughter was raped and brutalized, but makes a big show
of traveling to El Salvador to bring back a criminal. I don’t mean just talking about him but making him feel shame for his actions; embarrassing him on the public stage.
Yes, winning in November felt really good. But I feel that the losers aren’t being reminded that they lost.
Larry Hill
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