LANCASTER COUNTY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
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Lancaster County Council Meeting Recap: August 25, 2025

Here is a concise summary of the key decisions and discussions from your County Council’s latest meeting:

1. Call to Order Regular Meeting - Chairman Brian Carnes

• [0:00] Chairman Brian Carnes called the meeting to order, confirming a quorum, public notice, and media notification, and requested attendees maintain decorum. No vote.

2. Welcome and Recognition - Chairman Brian Carnes

• [0:24] Chairman Brian Carnes welcomed everyone to the county council meeting. No vote.

3. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation - Council Member Charlene McGriff

• [0:36] Council Member Charlene McGriff led the Pledge of Allegiance and delivered the invocation. No vote.

4. Approval of the Agenda

• [1:36] The agenda was approved with one item, the discussion about the ad hoc committee, removed and moved to a later date.
• Motion to approve the agenda: Unidentified Council Member
• Second: Unidentified Council Member
• Vote: Passed unanimously 7-0.
• 5. Citizens Comments
  • [2:05] Citizens (Citizen 1, Citizen 2, Citizen 3, and Citizen 4 via electronic submission) addressed the council on various topics, including appreciation for the library system, concerns about a local development’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) compliance, and inquiries about a road widening project. No vote.

6. Special Presentations

• a. Recognition of Deputy Coroner John Collins for being Awarded the South Carolina Coroners Association Sue Townsend Award - Presented by Coroner Karla Deese
  • [11:03] Coroner Karla Deese presented Deputy Coroner John Collins with the South Carolina Coroners Association Sue Townsend Award, acknowledging his active membership, extensive knowledge, and determination. No vote.

7. Consent Agenda

• [14:30] Council approved a group of administrative items, including minutes from two previous meetings and the 3rd readings of five ordinances (2025-1967, 2025-1977, 2025-1978, 2025-1979, 2025-1980).
• Motion to approve Consent Agenda items 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F, and 7G: Unidentified Council Member
• Second: Council Member Charlene McGriff
• Vote: Passed unanimously.

8. Non-Consent Agenda

• a. Public Hearing and 2nd Reading of Ordinance 2025-1981 - An Ordinance To Authorize The Execution And Delivery Of One Or More Amendments To The Installment Purchase And Use Agreement And The Base Lease And Conveyance Agreement
  • [15:10] Council approved an ordinance authorizing amendments to agreements with the Public Facilities Corporation to carve off five acres from the detention center property for a new coroner’s office, ensuring separate, standalone agreements.
  • Motion to approve Ordinance 2025-1981: Council Member Charlene McGriff
  • Second: Council Member Bryant Neal
  • Vote: Passed unanimously.
• b. 1st Reading of Ordinance 2025-1959 - An Ordinance To Amend The Lancaster County Code Related To The Membership Of The Health And Wellness Commission
  • [16:53] Council approved an ordinance to amend the Lancaster County Code, reducing the Health and Wellness Commission membership from 17 to 11 (seven district representatives and four at-large positions) to improve quorum consistency.
  • Motion to approve Ordinance 2025-1959: Council Member Jose Luis
  • Second: Council Member Charlene McGriff
  • Vote: Passed unanimously.
• c. 1st Reading of Ordinance 2025-1960 - An Ordinance To Amend The Lancaster County Code, Chapter 2, Article XI, Division 5, Related To The Lancaster County Community Relations Commission
  • [20:31] Council approved an ordinance to rename the Community Relations Commission to the “Community Outreach and Engagement Advisory Committee,” refocusing its mission on community engagement and outreach best practices.
  • Motion to approve Ordinance 2025-1960: Council Member Jose Luis
  • Second: Council Member Billy Mosteller
  • Vote: Passed unanimously.
• d. 1st Reading of Ordinance 2025-1983 - An Ordinance To Amend Ordinance No. 2025-1971, Relating To The Appropriation Of Funds And The Approval Of A Detailed Budget For Lancaster County For The Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2025, And Ending June 30, 2026 (FY 2025-2026)
  • [22:52] Council approved an ordinance to amend the FY 2025-2026 budget, appropriating an additional $16,883 in state aid for libraries and $1,809,877.70 in excess Capital Project Sales Tax 2 (CPST2) funds for road improvement work on Cleveland Street and Rise Lane.
  • Motion to approve Ordinance 2025-1983: Council Member Steve Harper
  • Second: Council Member Bryant Neal
  • Vote: Passed unanimously.
• e. 1st Reading of Ordinance 2025-1984 - An Ordinance To Amend Ordinance 2021-1711, Related To A Development Agreement Between Lancaster County And Redwood Indian Land Barberville SC P1., Also Known, “Redwood”
  • [26:50] Council approved an ordinance to amend a development agreement with Redwood Indian Land Barberville SC P1, which includes reducing density from 155 to 97 units, extending the agreement by five years to April 12, 2031, and correcting scrivener’s errors.
  • Motion to approve Ordinance 2025-1984: Council Member Charlene McGriff
  • Second: Council Member Steve Harper
  • Vote: Passed 4-3.
• f. Public Hearing and 1st Reading of Ordinance 2025-1985 - An Ordinance To Amend The Unified Development Ordinance (“UDO”) Chapters 7 And 10 To Define The Use Types “Large-Scale Grocery Store” And “Regional Hospital Facility,” And Provide For Additional Wall Signage For Both Uses
  • [34:53] Council approved an ordinance to amend the UDO, defining “Large-Scale Grocery Store” and “Regional Hospital Facility” and providing for additional wall signage for both uses, specifically allowing up to 500 square feet total for grocery stores and 800 square feet total for regional hospital facilities after an amendment.
  • Motion (initial) to approve Ordinance 2025-1985: Council Member Jose Luis
  • Second (initial): Council Member Stuart Graham
  • [44:59] Motion to Amend: Council Member Jose Luis moved to amend the ordinance to allow a maximum of 250 square feet each on two walls for a total of 500 square feet per building for large-scale grocery stores, and 400 square feet on two sides for a total of 800 square feet for regional hospital facilities.
  • Second (on amendment): Council Member Steve Harper
  • Vote on Amendment: Approved unanimously 7-0.
  • [45:29] Motion to approve the initial motion as amended: Unidentified Council Member
  • Second (as amended): Unidentified Council Member
  • Vote on Main Motion as Amended: Passed unanimously.
• g. Resolution 1299-R2025 - Approving the Updated 2025 Assessment Roll For The Edgewater Improvement District, Lancaster County, South Carolina (Items 8H through 8N were included in this motion)
  • [45:51] Council approved eight resolutions (1299-R2025 to 1306-R2025) in globo, concerning annual updates to assessment rolls and revenue requirements for various improvement districts to pay debt service on bonds.
  • Motion to approve all eight resolutions (8G through 8N) in globo: Unidentified Council Member
  • Second: Unidentified Council Member
  • Vote: Passed unanimously.
• o. Resolution 1307-R2025 - A Resolution Directing The Lancaster County Planning Commission To Conduct Studies And Recommend A Capital Improvement Plan And Impact Fee
  • [50:00] Council approved a resolution directing the Planning Commission to conduct studies and recommend a capital improvement plan and impact fees, potentially countywide, for services like fire, law enforcement, EMS, emergency management, and parks and recreation.
  • Motion to approve Resolution 1307-R2025: Unidentified Council Member
  • Second: Council Member Stuart Graham
  • Vote: Passed unanimously.
• p. Resolution 1308-R2025 - A Resolution Requesting The South Carolina Department Of Transportation To Post Signage Prohibiting Thru Truck Traffic On Carolina Acres Road Between Barberville Road And Harrisburg Road
  • [52:51] Council approved a resolution requesting the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) to post signage prohibiting thru truck traffic on Carolina Acres Road, enabling law enforcement to issue citations and addressing resident concerns.
  • Motion to approve Resolution 1308-R2025: Council Member Jose Luis
  • Second: Council Member Stuart Graham
  • Vote: Passed unanimously.
• q. Resolution 1309-R2025 - A Resolution To Direct County Staff To Take Appropriate Action To Move Forward With The Library Services And Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Award Match
  • [54:40] Council approved a resolution directing county staff to provide a local match of $25,758 for a $50,000 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, to purchase book vending machines to enhance services for patrons with limited library access.
  • Motion to approve Resolution 1309-R2025: Council Member Charlene McGriff
  • Second: Council Member Jose Luis
  • Vote: Passed unanimously.

9. Discussion and Action Items

• a. Receive Information and Take Desired Action Regarding Appointments and/or Re-Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions
  • [58:45] Council approved the appointment of Mr. Corey Barnes from the Planning Department to the Citizen at Large position on the Catawba Regional Council of Government (COG) Board.
  • Motion to approve Corey Barnes to the Catawba Regional Council of Government Board: Council Member Steve Harper
  • Second: Council Member Bryant Neal
  • Vote: Passed unanimously.
• b. Appointment of an Ad Hoc Development Agreement Committee - Chairman Brian Carnes
  • This item was removed from the agenda earlier in the meeting for a later date. No vote.

10. Status of Items Tabled, Recommitted, Deferred or Held

• [1:00:10] No new discussion or action was taken on previously postponed items. No vote.

11. Executive Session

• [1:00:54] Council entered executive session to receive legal advice regarding a potential contractual matter relating to an Economic Development Project: Project Groot; no motions were made or votes taken during the session.
• Motion to enter Executive Session: Council Member Jose Luis
• Second: Unidentified Council Member
• Motion to invite Economic Development staff into Executive Session: Unidentified Council Member
• Second: Unidentified Council Member
• Vote to go into Executive Session: All in favor.
• [1:01:34] Motion to come out of Executive Session: Unidentified Council Member
• Second: Unidentified Council Member
• Vote to come out of Executive Session: All in favor.
• 12. Items Requiring a Vote Following Executive Session
  • [1:01:51] No votes were taken following the executive session. No vote.

13. Adjournment

• [1:02:15] The meeting was adjourned.
• Motion to adjourn: Unidentified Council Member
• Vote: Chairman Brian Carnes declared the meeting adjourned.