Daniel Prince
Outgoing council members honored for their service
In other business from Tuesday’s Union County Council meeting, the council voted to approve a resolution on a first amendment to a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement with Volvo. Supervisor Phillip Russell said Gestamp is bringing in more stamping equipment to help Volvo, and the company is asking to extend the fee agreement.
Council also passed third and final reading on an ordinance to amend the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget to provide funding for the roof repair at the old Chrysler building on South Duncan Bypass. The project has gone out for bids, but the repairs are estimated at around $600,000.
Council passed final reading of an ordinance expanding the boundaries of a multi-county industrial park in Spartanburg. The county receives 1% of the revenue from the park, which is owned by the SC State Ports Authority and is affiliated with BMW.
Council passed second reading of an ordinance extending Verizon’s lease on the county’s tower. Verizon pays the county $28,989 a year to lease space on the tower, and they have also committed to provide $60,000 worth of repairs to the tower to shore it up for future years and future use.
All votes were unanimous.
Also at the meeting, Ricky Mallett was honored for 25 years of service at 911, and Joseph Rhode was recognized for 5 years at EMS.
Supervisor Phillip Russell said the county has received a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant for the Goldville Fire Substation. The Buffalo Mill Pond project is getting started. The county has two and a half years to complete it. They recently held a Zoom meeting with representatives from Catawba Regional Council of Governments, the state Commerce Department, and the Appalachian Regional Commission about the project. He said work still continues on the old South State Bank building. He said his best guess is that the building will be ready to move in around March or April. He said weather has affected progress at the Lockhart Boat Ramp. One concrete pad has been poured, but they have to wait for drier weather to pour a second pad and finish things off with asphalt and sidewalks. He said the jail addition is out for bid, with bids set to be opened a few days after the January County Council meeting. The county tore down three abandoned and unsafe properties in Ottaray over the last three weeks.
Finally, Russell presented a plaque and a small token of appreciation to outgoing council members Ben Ivey and Tracie Campbell for their service to the county.