SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. NEWS

Sumter County Emergency Management was awarded a $20,000 grant from Duke Energy Progress just as hurricane season gets underway.
It’s part of Duke Energy’s support for first responders statewide as 34 non-profits and government agencies are being awarded a total of $500,000 to prepare and recover from storms.
Sumter County Emergency Management Director Donna Dew said the funds will be used to purchase chainsaws and chaps as downed trees present a real safety hazard if a storm hits our area.
“Sumter County Government has a long history of working side-by-side with Duke Energy before, during and after major storm events,” she said. “This grant will supply our team the necessary equipment to clear hazards and open roadways faster following severe weather situation, making it easier for first responders to quickly and safely restore our communities back to normal. As a critical first responder, Duke Energy has always worked alongside Sumter County to prepare for and respond to storms, and we value our partnership.”
Hurricane season in South Carolina began on June 1 and ends November 30, 2022.
“The key to successful emergency preparedness and recovery after a major storm begins and ends at the local level,” said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy’s South Carolina state president. “Households and businesses across the state in recent years have endured a number of significant and costly storms. Helping our communities prepare for and recover from these events take significant resources and these grants will help give our fellow first responders the tools and training they need to tackle whatever Mother Nature throws our way.”
To download a free South Carolina Hurricane Guide 2022 from the S.C. Emergency Management Division, click here: https://www.scemd.org/media/1623/scemd-hurricane-guide2022_english.pdf

Sumter County Council Tuesday evening passed third and final reading of a Fiscal Year 2023 budget that balances revenues and expenditures at $55,498,969.
At the outset of the meeting, Sumter County Administrator Gary Mixon spoke about an ordinance to institute a Capital Project Sales Tax and noted Commission Chairman Bob Smith spoke at length at the last Council meeting about the scope of the tax and 34 proposed projects. A $40 million bond is also being proposed to kickstart several projects.
No one spoke during the Public Comments and second reading was approved.
Sumter School District Superintendent Dr. Penelope Martin-Knox then gave a presentation about the district’s request of a 10.9-mill increase. She was assisted by District Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Miller.
Councilman Carlton Washington asked questions about rural schools, staff allocation and resources available to students, and Councilman Eugene Baten asked questions about the last budget cycle.
Councilman Artie Baker made a motion to take the information and make a decision later about the request. Baten made a second to the motion and it was approved.
Sumter County Attorney Johnathan Bryan spoke next about an ordinance to approve a Utility Easement over property located on West Wesmark Boulevard.
First reading was approved.
Mixon then spoke about an ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of General Obligation Bonds not exceeding $3.5 million, which is done annually to fund capital purchases.
Third reading was approved.
Mixon then spoke about the budget ordinance, detailing expenditures as well as how American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will be spent.
The budget includes a 1-mill increase, which will be offset by a Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) credit. (For example, a home valued at $100,000 would see a net realized reduction of $5 as the mill would bump up taxes on the home by $4, but the LOST credit is $9.)
Third reading was approved.
Vice Chairman Jimmy Byrd gave a brief report on nominations to various boards; all were approved by full Council.
Mixon thanked Council for its continued support, and thanked Finance Director Uvette Pope-Rogers and the Finance department for working hard on the budget.
The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.

Sumter Veteran Sherolyn Lynette Weeks led the Pledge of Allegiance Tuesday evening before County Council’s regular meeting.

Weeks is a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force who currently works for the Solicitor’s Office. She is a member of Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church. She volunteers as a Girl Scout Troop leader and is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. She has a son who is currently serving in the U.S. Air Force, two daughters and two grandchildren. She currently lives in District 6, which is represented by Chairman James T. McCain Jr.

Thank you for your service, Ma’am. 

All South Carolinians 5 years old and up are eligible for the free Covid-19 vaccine.

These are the locations in Sumter giving out vaccines:

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Sumter County Health Department
Pfizer, Moderna, Pfizer-Pediatrics
 105 North Magnolia Street 
Sumter, SC 29150
 For more information:
https://cvas.dhec.sc.gov/
 1-855-472-3432
803-773-5511 

Walgreens #11724
Pfizer, Pfizer-Pediatrics
 201 N Lafayette Dr 
Sumter, SC  29150
 For more information:
http://www.walgreens.com/covid19vac

Tandem Health-Pike West
Moderna, Pfizer-Pediatrics
 370 S Pike West 
Sumter, SC 29150
 For more information:
https://www.tandemhealthsc.org/covid-19-vaccine/

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The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control: https://scdhec.gov/covid19
The DHEC Care Line is 1-855-472-3432