Richland County Council meeting + Nov. 14 + 6 pm By Mike Cox

MWC423@bellsouth.net

Members of council

Members of Richland County Council are Doris Corley, Damon Jeter, Kit Smith, Joseph McEachern, Val Hutchinson, Tony Mizzell, Joyce Dickerson, Paul Livingston, L. Gregory Pearce Jr., Mike Montgomery, and Bernice G. Scott.

Presentations

A long list of presentations got off to a rousing start as Robert Crooms gave the council and the public an overview of what to expect thanks to the yes vote on the property tax amendment. The folks who figure assessments will now have two variables rather than one to figure property tax; fair market value versus 15% cap. Crooms said most of the adjustments and problems won't be known until the law is finalized by the state legislature.

Resolution two honored Kester Freeman for his service in the health care industry. Freeman has served South Carolina hospitals for three decades. Since 1998, he has been CEO of Palmetto Health Alliance.

Freeman told those in the crowd service had always been about the patients and thanked the council for supporting the Alliance, especially those who were instrumental in its formation.

The semi-annual graduation for Richland 101 was next. Eleven citizens attended the class, which provides an A to Z tutorial of how Richland County operates. Amy Mayne, speaking on behalf of the other graduates encouraged everyone to attend the class.

Ken Simmons and Harry Miley gave the council a preliminary look at what they plan to do for the recreation complex task two initiative. The assessment will be based on proper land use, cost, location of other facilities, and what will draw out of town visitors. Citizens Input

Marty Robinson told the council she had lived in Ballentine for ten years, uses the bookmobile frequently, and is excited about the prospect of a library branch in Ballentine. She promised the council her community would support a library.

Regular Stuff

The road paving amendment was deferred until the next meeting, or after a proposed community meeting in Lower Richland is held. Most of the controversy over the paving amendment originates from this area.

An innovative plan was approved for the proposed Ballentine library. The bookmobile will be parked permanently on leased property in the community and open one day a week. Bookmobile funding will be used to lease the land and operate the bookmobile until next budget year.

Peggy Simons was appointed to the Board of Zoning Adjustments and Appeals, Suzie was appointed to the Employee Grievance Committee, Shirley Fields-Martin was added to the Performing Arts Center Board, and Julius Murray was elected to the Planning Commission.

Greg Pearce and Paul Livingston urged the other council members to vote for an amendment to commit to moving forward on the Township. Bernice Scott reminded the other members that two issues had been around for 20 years; dogs and the Township. The council approved the Township proposal.

Citizens Input II

Several people who live in the Piney Woods area were on hand to express their displeasure that apartments were being built in their neighborhood. They were under the impression Piney Woods is a single resident area and asked the council to help them determine what is going on.