Meeting Details

• Video Link: January 12, 2026 6pm​
• Location: County Council Chambers, Lancaster, SC
• Agenda Packet Link: Click here​
• ​You Tube Link: If the minute links don't work below. Click this link and go to the minute/second for the item you would like to focus on.

1. Call to Order

​1:26 Chairman Brian Carnes called the regular meeting of the Lancaster County Council to order. He welcomed attendees to the first meeting of the new year.

2. Welcome and Recognition

[1:32] Chairman Carnes recognized the presence of a quorum and confirmed that the meeting notice and agenda were properly posted in the lobby and on the county website.

3. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation

[2:23] Council Member Charlene McGriff led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by an invocation. She prayed for peace, safety for staff and council, and wisdom in making decisions for the citizens.

4. Approval of the Agenda

[3:49] Council moved to approve the agenda for the January 12, 2026, meeting.

• Vote: Unanimous (7-0)

5. Citizens Comments

[4:08] Chairman Carnes opened the floor for public comments, reminding citizens of the three-minute time limit

• [4:52] Libby Sweat Lambert: Requested a moratorium on large housing developments on Highway 521 until infrastructure can support current growth. She also questioned why the existing moratorium does not include the eastern side of Highway 521.+2
• [7:07] Janine Clifton: Expressed concerns regarding ongoing development on Barberville and Fort Mill Highway, alleging transparency issues and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) violations. She requested the county revoke building permits she claims were issued in violation of the UDO.+2
• [10:06] Jean Doyle: Highlighted severe traffic congestion on Highway 521, citing personal experiences of extreme delays. She urged the Council to deny zoning variances for new commercial developments in the Indian Land area.+3

6. Special Presentations

• a. Audit Presentation [17:31]: Grant Davis, CPA, presented the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. He reported an unmodified opinion—the highest level of assurance—and noted that the county’s net position increased by $37 million. The audit confirmed that the county's general fund remains in a strong position, with an ending fund balance of $41.5 million, representing approximately 49% of annual expenditures. Mr. Davis highlighted that property tax revenues increased by 6.5%, driven by both new growth and assessment increases. Additionally, the report indicated that the county successfully maintained its debt levels well within statutory limits while continuing to fund critical capital projects.
• b. Ambulance Supplemental Payment Program [41:26]: EMS Director Clay Catoe and the Public Consulting Group (PCG) provided an overview of the SC Ambulance Supplemental Payment Program. The program is designed to help public EMS agencies recover a significant portion of Medicaid costs that are currently under-reimbursed

7. Consent Agenda

[57:50] Council approved several items in a single vote, including meeting minutes from December 2025, the final reading to rescind telecommuting policies (Ordinance 2025-2005), and the second reading of "The Exchange" development agreement (Ordinance 2025-2009).

• Motion: Bryant Neal; Second: Jose Luis.
• Vote: Unanimous (7-0).

8. Non-Consent Agenda

• a. Resolution 1314-R2026 [58:35]: Authorized an amendment to the Multi-County Park Agreement with Chesterfield County to include Cyclic Materials, Inc. This resolution allows for tax incentives to assist the company in establishing operations focused on recovering rare earth magnets and other critical metals. The inclusion in the multi-county park is a standard economic development tool used to attract high-tech industrial investment to the region.
  • Motion: Steve Harper; Second: Billy Mosteller. Vote: Unanimous (7-0).
• b. Resolution 1315-R2026 [59:58]: Authorized an amendment to the Multi-County Park Agreement regarding Duke Energy Progress property. This administrative update adds specific Duke Energy infrastructure parcels into the existing agreement with Chesterfield County. Such moves are typically required to finalize fee-in-lieu-of-tax arrangements for ongoing utility expansions.
  • Motion: Steve Harper; Second: Jose Luis. Vote: Unanimous (7-0).
• c. 3rd Reading of Ordinance 2025-2007 [1:00:25]: Approved the lease of property at 1228 Colonial Commons Court to Finding Serenity for non-profit storage. The lease agreement provides a centralized location for the non-profit to manage and distribute food and resources to the community's vulnerable populations. Council noted that the organization has been a valuable local partner and this space will allow them to expand their logistical reach.
  • Motion: Billy Mosteller; Second: Stuart Graham. Vote: 6-0 (Charlene McGriff recused).
• d. 2nd Reading of Ordinance 2025-2004 [1:04:15]: Amended the budget to establish a special revenue fund for Department of Social Services (DSS) revenues. The change was prompted by state-level accounting requirements to ensure that social service allocations are not commingled with local general tax dollars. This structure provides a clearer audit trail for state and federal auditors reviewing DSS-specific expenditures.
  • Motion: Steve Harper; Second: Bryant Neal. Vote: Unanimous (7-0).
• e. 2nd Reading of Ordinance 2025-2010 [1:05:07]: General budget amendment for various county revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year. The amendment captures unexpected revenues from the first half of the year and reallocates them to high-priority infrastructure needs. It also reconciles personnel costs in departments that saw significant staffing changes or required additional overtime.
  • Motion: Bryant Neal; Second: Stuart Graham. Vote: Unanimous (7-0).
• f. 1st Reading of Ordinance 2026-2014 [1:05:54]: Corrected a clerical error on a prior zoning map ordinance regarding 59.14 acres of land. This correction ensures that the official county zoning map matches the legislative intent of actions taken nearly a decade ago. It prevents legal ambiguity for property owners in the affected tract during future development or land sales.
  • Motion: Jose Luis; Second: Billy Mosteller. Vote: Unanimous (7-0).
• g. 1st Reading of Ordinance 2026-2015 [1:06:40]: Approved granting an easement to the Lancaster County Water and Sewer District for the new Detention Center project. This infrastructure is essential for the utility connectivity of the new facility, ensuring proper waste management and water pressure for fire safety. The motion allows the project to stay on schedule by granting the necessary access for pipe installation and staging.
  • Motion: Bryant Neal; Second: Billy Mosteller. Vote: Unanimous (7-0).

9. Discussion and Action Items

[1:08:44] Council voted on board appointments as presented.

1. George Sellers: Re-appointed to the Community Outreach and Engagement Advisory Board (District 5). Motion: Steve Harper. Vote: Unanimous.

11. Executive Session

[1:11:05] Council entered Executive Session to discuss legal advice regarding P-Card audits, easements, search firm selection for a County Administrator, and personnel matters.

• Motion: Steve Harper; Second: Bryant Neal. Vote: Unanimous (7-0).

12. Items Requiring a Vote Following Executive Session

[3:12:10] Council returned to open session and authorized the Interim County Administrator to proceed with a contract for a County Administrator search firm.

• Motion: Bryant Neal; Second: Jose Luis.
• Vote: Unanimous (7-0).

13. Adjournment

[3:13:58] The meeting was adjourned following the completion of official business.