Lancaster County Newsletter

April 20, 2025

This edition—and the next few months—will focus on budget and tax-related topics. County Council heard from each county department as they presented their budgets - over 11 hours of meetings! If you have specific budget or tax topics you'd like covered, just reply to this email.

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If you have any questions or concerns about the county, feel free to reach out: 803-804-6017 or simply reply to this email. You can also follow me on Facebook for more updates.

💰 Budget and Financial Information

• The county’s fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30, so upcoming meetings will focus heavily on the 2025–2026 budget, which must pass three readings before the end of June.
  📎 Click here for the full budget timeline​

🧾 2024–2025 Budget Overview

📎 Check out last month’s newsletter for Budget Overview​

Lancaster County Council is currently in the middle of budget planning.

• Each county department presented requests during 11+ hours of meetings this month
  🎥 Recommended sessions to watch:
• April 9 – Animal Shelter, Coroner, Sheriff's and EMS (Agenda + Recording)
• April 16 – Fire Department, Parks and Rec, Public Works, IT (Agenda + Recording)
  Use the agenda to understand the order of presentations to get to departments you are most interested in. Also you can 2x the speed of the video. Follow along on the power points by clicking on the agendas.

🧾 Staff requested approximately $33 million in additional funding.
Now, Council and administration will work together to finalize a budget that makes sense for the Citizens of Lancaster County.

💵 Sales Tax

• Statewide sales tax: 6% (South Carolina)
• Lancaster County: Opted in for a Local Option Sales Tax of 1% (Approved in 1992)
  • Purpose: Primarily credited back to property taxes
  • 2024 data: ~$8.3 million (72%) returned via property tax credits

📌 Capital Sales Tax (Approved in 2020):

• Increased total sales tax to 8%
• Term: 7 years (2022–2029) Expires in 2029 and must be voted by citizens to be extended.
  📎 Click to see included projects for Capital Sales Tax in Lancaster
  ​📎 Click for SC sales tax by county

🏠 Property Tax

• SC has low property tax rates for owner-occupied homes compared to the U.S. average
• Lancaster County: Roughly average for SC
  📎 Read article comparing counties (scroll down the link to get to the table)
• Millage = Rate per thousand dollars of assessed property value
  📎 Click here for details on millage
  ​📎 Click here for breakdown by category in Lancaster County
• Lancaster County is on a 5 year re-assessment cycle which mean 2025 is a reassessment year. Property owners will receive notices in the mail in June.
  • Key points: Per SC law, re-assessments can not be used to raise taxes. Taxable property values can not be increased more than 15%. For a full FAQ, click here.

⛽ Gas Tax

• SC Gas Tax = 28.8 cents/gallon (among lowest in the nation)
• Funds go to the state, which sends a portion back to counties based on state-maintained roads
  • Lancaster County receives: ~$4 million annually
  • This amount does not go far in terms of funding local/state road projects
    📌 Reality: Lancaster County cannot rely on gas tax revenue to fund local and state road needs

🔍 Major Financial Decisions Ahead

1. Road Funding

• Top concern from District 1 citizens
• County general operating budget = $90M
• Project like Hwy 521 improvements = ~$150M
  • Hwy 521 = State Road
  • Based on the past 25 years and current state projects, SC is unlikely to fund major improvements
  • Developers are an unlikely source as well due to the size of projects relative to the developments. For the Indian Land area- lack of approved projects since 2021- means no new projects.
    📌 Counties that contribute funds are more likely to attract state funding. Counties like York County are pledging county funds to attract state and federal funds to do road projects.

💡 Proposal:​
Lancaster County Council is discussing placing a Transportation Sales Tax on the November ballot​
📅 April 28 County Council meeting will likely include this topic. Check out April 14th meeting discussion related to this topic. (2 hour + 3 minute mark)

2. Fire Department Needs

• Full-time firefighters for areas south of Hwy 5
• New fire station on Harrisburg Road
• New fire trucks throughout the county

📌 All three are critical for public safety and carry significant costs. The decision points will be what to do and how to fund it equitably throughout the county. Check out budget meeting (1 hour + 23 minute mark for budget presentations).

Development Updates

📅 Planning Commission Meeting – April 20th – See the agenda for full list- (not published yet)

📍 Cresswind by Kolter (521 - across from Walnut Creek)

• ​January Newsletter- Review January Newsletter to catch up on all the details.
• Planning Commission recommended denial in February. The developer has delayed sending this request to Council, so a final decision may not come until July. Stay tuned.

📍 Silver Run Development (Calvin Hall Rd)

• Proposed: 44 residential lots
• ​Project details​
• Planning commission recommended denial in the April meeting.

📍 Cogito Academy – Charter School (Shiloh Unity Rd)

• Project Size: 22 acres
• ​Project details​
• County Council approved in Reading #1. Requires 2 more readings before final approval.

📍 Blackhall- Hwy 75 going into Waxhaw

• Project Size: 39 acres to General Business
• ​Project details​
• County Council approved.

📍 Shadow Moss- Hilldale Drive

• Project Size: 52 acres and 100 housing units
• ​Project details​
• Deferred-

📍 Old Hickory- Old Hickory Rd (across from back entrance of Roselyn)

• Project Size: 159 acres from RN on MDR (roughly 300 houses)
• ​Project details​
• Deferred-

🏗️ Lancaster County Development Updates:Click here to track ongoing and approved developments across the county. Here are the monthly application reports.

How to Share Your Input

Want to voice your opinion on county issues? Here’s how:

1️⃣ Speak at a County Meeting

• Arrive early and sign up to speak at the door.
• You’ll have 3 minutes to address a topic on the agenda.
• Note: Council members can listen but cannot engage in discussion during public comments.

2️⃣ Submit a Public Comment Electronically

• Comments are recorded as public record and distributed to council members.
• ​Submit your comment here.

3️⃣ Email County Council Members Directly

• These emails are not part of public records but allow direct communication with council members.
• ​View all council members here and see district maps.

📩 Contact Council Members:​
📍 District 1 – Stuart Graham:smgraham@lancastercountysc.gov
📍 District 2 – Charlene McGriff:cmcgriff@comporium.net
📍 District 3 – Billy Mosteller:bmosteller@lancastercountysc.gov
📍 District 4 – Jose Luis:jluis@lancastercountysc.gov
📍 District 5 – Steve Harper:steveharper@lancastercountysc.gov
📍 District 6 – Bryant Neal:bneal@lancastercountysc.gov
📍 District 7 – Bryan Carnes:briancarnes@lancastercountysc.gov

📌 Tips for Effective Public Commenting:​
✔️ Be respectful and concise. Avoid personal attacks.
✔️ State your position clearly (support/oppose) and provide facts.
✔️ Keep it under 3 minutes. You don’t need to be a great speaker—just be direct.

Stay Informed on County Meetings

📬 Want meeting updates in your inbox? Sign up here to receive agendas and documents before each meeting.

📺 Missed a meeting? Watch past sessions here.
​
Looking for a great way to explore Lancaster County- Lancaster Ag + Art tour features 18 stops on a self guided tour on May 3rd at Lancaster Farms and other related sites. Check it out!! The Craig Home tour is a can't miss opportunity.

Thank you for staying engaged in our community!

Best,​
​Stuart

Lancaster County Meeting Notes
​​
Here is a resource of Lancaster County Government news including the City of Lancaster

​
Lancaster County Council - April 14th, 2025 Meeting Recap
Recorded meeting - Click here​

🗂️ Highlights

• Indian Land VFW annual awards
• County Employee of the Quarter
• New charter school by racetrack
• Rezonings approved
• Roads and transportation funding discussed

🗣️ Citizen Comments

1. Randy Baker (Lancaster): Opposed to Cogito Academy charter school across from racetrack; wants the woods preserved as a buffer for noise and dust.
2. Jeff Knight (Lancaster): Opposed to charter school; concerned that the school’s sewer line may run through his recently purchased property.
3. Jean Doyle (Tree Tops): Spoke about the need for better road infrastructure, fire and EMS equipment, and highlighted the “staggering” budget changes, including the over-budget Coroner’s Office. Called for more fiscal responsibility.
4. Yates Dunaway (Crosland Southeast): Available for questions on rezoning.
5. Geraldine Evans (Lancaster, via email): Opposed to Cogito Academy due to traffic congestion.

🎖️ Special Presentations

A. VFW Recognition

Indian Land VFW honored:

• Sheriff’s Field Training Officer/SWAT member Dillon Cetin
• EMS Paramedic Danny Hyatt, a former military combat medic

B. State EMS Award

Danny Hyatt also recognized as South Carolina EMS Paramedic of the Year for outstanding patient care despite being attacked by a dog and having an ambulance tire blow out en route to the hospital.

C. Employees of the Quarter

Recognized by Administrator Dennis Marstall:

• Logan McAteer (Fire Services)
• Howard Mickle (Building Maintenance Services)

D. Community Needs Assessment

Presented by Elizabeth Morgan (Catawba Regional Council of Governments)

• Current active projects: Kershaw, Heath Springs, and Lancaster Municipal Justice Park
• Fall 2025 grant application ideas discussed, including a fire truck and courthouse restoration
• Further review and city coordination needed

📋 Non-Consent Agenda

A. 3rd Reading – Fee-in-lieu amendment with Keer America

✅ Passed 7-0

B. 2nd Reading – Revenue credits for Project Block (Industry in Indian Land)

✅ Passed 7-0

C. 2nd Reading – Add 10,000 sq. ft. to The Exchange (Crosland Southeast) for MUSC medical offices

✅ Passed 7-0

D. Conditional Use Permit – Cogito Academy K–8 Charter School

• 14-acre school on a 22-acre site across from Lancaster Motor Speedway
• Councilmembers Mosteller, McGriff, and Harper emphasized that no future complaints would be accepted about noise/dust from racetrack
• School reps said operations won’t overlap weekend races; no athletic fields
• Councilman Luis applauded their attitude
• Chairman Carnes jokingly suggested a “Racing for Success” theme
  ✅ Passed 7-0

E. 1st Reading – Rezone 0.448 acres at 1831 Great Falls Highway (old Piggly Wiggly)

✅ Passed 7-0

F. 1st Reading – Rezone 0.73 acres at 1754 Old Carter Street to build up to 3 homes

✅ Passed 7-0

G. 3rd Reading – Amend Rules of Parliamentary Procedure for council, committees, boards, and commissions

• Extended discussion to refine wording (led by Councilman Luis)
  ✅ Passed 7-0

🧑‍💼 Discussion & Action Items

A. Board Removals

• One member removed from Catawba Regional Workforce Development Board for non-attendance
• Dr. Cureton removed from Library Board due to ill health
  ✅ Passed 7-0

B. Board Appointments

1. Phyllis Jarvis – District 5 Library Board (due to redistricting)
   ✅ Passed 7-0
2. Historical Commission Reappointments:
   • Richard Van Hall (advisor)
   • Patricia Clancy (advisor)
   • Dr. Zora Denson (advisor)
   • Dan West (District 1 rep)
   • Fred Witherspoon (District 3 rep)
   • Joe Grier (District 5 rep)
     ✅ Passed 7-0
3. David Basri – Reappointed as Chair, Van Wyck Fire Fee District Board
   ✅ Passed 7-0
4. Hunter Faile (Nutramax) – Appointed to Catawba Regional Workforce Development Board as business representative
   ✅ Passed 7-0

🚧 Transportation Sales Tax Referendum Discussion

Public Works Director Jeff Catoe presented two proposals developed by County Council and CTC, following the failed Nov. 2024 ballot measure.

Proposed Funding:

• $100M for city and county roads
• $65M for Hwy 521 widening
• Additional smaller road projects

Council Discussion Highlights:

• Admitted prior lack of clarity on which roads were included
• Citizens often asked: “Is MY road on the list?”

Councilman Graham emphasized urgency:

• Indian Land residents ask daily about traffic
• Suggested widening Harrisburg, Henry Harris, and Barberville Roads in preparation for Hwy 521 expansion
• Proposed hiring a dedicated road planner

📊 Current Funding Snapshot:

• Road usage fee = $40 per vehicle = ~$800,000/year (mostly goes to maintenance)
• Road construction = ~$1 million/mile
• Only $13M available for roads from current penny sales tax
• No additional funding expected from CTC this year

📅 Decision Pending:

• Council is split on whether to put it on the November 2025 ballot or wait until 2026
• Will be brought to a vote on April 28​
  📎 See accompanying photos for proposal details

🛑 Adjournment

Council adjourned after 9:00 PM to enter Executive Session for:

1. Potential economic development project (Project Janus)
2. Potential county fire service matter

​
📝 Notes to the best of my ability.

​

Respectfully submitted,
​​
​Clare McConaughay

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