Richland County Council concerned about State of the County press conference
By Mike Cox MWC423@bellsouth.net
Roll call

Chairman Joe McEachern, Vice Chair Val Hutchinson, Joyce Dickerson, Norman Jackson, Paul Livingston, Bill Malinowski, Greg Pearce, Bernice Scott, and Kit Smith were present. Damon Jeter and Mike Montgomery were absent.

Presentations

The 2008 edition of Richland 101 was introduced to the council tonight. The group of citizens who sacrificed four hours each week for six weeks to learn more about Richland County and how it operates was represented by Tippy Watts. He thanked the council for providing the opportunity for citizens to get an education in how local government works. He said the graduates were now more informed about county matters and are ready to educate fellow citizens and get more involved. Several of the graduates proved their determination by remaining in attendance for the entire council meeting.

Chairman's report

During the chairman's report, a plan to provide information about the county through a "State of the County" press conference and meeting on May 29, was met with concerns by several council members who were of the opinion the council should have decided such a thing by a vote. Kit Smith, Paul Livingston, and Bernice Scott have conflicts and might not be available for the press conference or the meeting. The chairman promised to address it further during motion period.

Regular business

Two ordinances to address sexually oriented businesses were deferred once again until the legal staff find wording that is politically endearing and lawsuit proof.

A move to award an auditing contract was deferred because the chosen group might have been hard to deal with in the past. The veteran council members will try to recall if this auditor is the one they are remembering not so fondly before the next meeting.

A resolution of commitment to amend the county's comprehensive plan so it jives with Columbia's was approved after Bill "Mr. Language Person"Malinowski pointed out parts of the wording he had issues with. The amended ordinance was approved.

Budget amendments

County Administrator Milton Pope provided an explanation to the council about changes in the budget awards for human resources and solid waste. The human resource department will need an additional $50,000 to survive and the solid waste contract will have to be adjusted because of rising fuel costs.

In an earlier budget work session, Norman Jackson and Joyce Dickerson questioned the existence of salaries in the budgeted amount for repairing rough spots in county roads. (I guess they think the pothole fairy comes by on occasion to repair things.)

Appointments

Vacancies on Building Codes Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Employee Grievance Committee, and Internal Audit Committee will be re- advertised. No one applied for those positions. William C.West III was appointed to the Business Service Center Appeals Board.

Once again, no one volunteered to speak during citizen's input. Bernice Scott asked someone to go find Ms. Evelyn Bush. After executive session and motion period the meeting was adjourned.