During a still morning in Ware Shoals, firefighters Russell Cline and Blake Schultz were testing air packs, fans and other rescue gear ahead of their move to a $1 million facility much closer to the busy U.S. Route 25 corridor.
It’s one of many transitions Greenwood County’s nearly all-volunteer based fire service has experienced over its four decades. Now, halfway through an ambitious eight-year master plan, those closest to the ground say the system remains vital as ever — but challenges continue as officials look for areas of improvement for a district that serves 46,661 residents across 463 square miles, with 17,500 structures.
On a broad level, Greenwood County’s 12-district coverage area and stable of more than 200 volunteer firefighters are part of the American story.
“It’s a great fire service. We’ve got a fantastic group of volunteers that dedicate their time and talent,” said Derek Kinney, the county’s EMS director.
The National Fire Protection Association estimates that of the 1.16 million firefighters deployed across the country, 70 percent them were volunteers — or 814,850.
Greenwood County Fire Coordinator Steve Holmes, who started his career with the Northwest Volunteer Fire Department in 1979, at just 16, said when crews show up at a scene, issues of territory never emerge.
“While they all still have their home station and identity, they are proud being members of the Greenwood County fire service. I may have a firefighter from Station 30 driving an engine from Station 20, or a member from Ware Shoals responding to a scene in Coronaca,” Holmes said. “I know first-hand how much the level of cooperation has changed over 40 years, and I’m very proud of how hard they have all worked to make this system a true, countywide system.”
Still, manpower is always a problem, but officials have agreed to a short-term solution. The county will soon bring on seven full-time firefighters, assuring around-the-clock response anywhere in vast district.
Right now, 25 part-time members work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, staffing three engines with two firefighters each. That’s halved response times from the 24-minute average when relying solely on volunteers, Holmes said.
“The most pressing need is the continued efforts to find people in the community that feel they have need to serve others as a volunteer. Finding people willing to invest the time needed to become a firefighter/emergency medical responder is a tough undertaking,” Holmes said. “Recruitment and retention of volunteers is vital for us to provide adequate protection to our community.”
The average age of a county volunteer firefighter is 40.7.
“The end result is we’d have four crews working 12-hour days to offset the men and women who volunteer their time. That’s a huge addition,” Kinney said. The paid staff will be stationed along Highway 246, near the county’s largest manufacturing industries.
County fire officials were successful in securing $14.2 million through the 2016 capital project sales tax initiative to implement the master plan — which includes construction of six stations by 2022 at a cost of $3.6 million and $7.4 million worth of renovations to existing ones.
Key to the plan was also a 6-1 vote by the County Council in September agreeing to borrow more than $6 million for the purchase of 16 vehicles — with money generated from the tax paying it back by April 2022.
Holmes said 11 of the 16 vehicles will replace ones that average 29 years old and have a history of breaking down, creating safety concerns and swelling maintenance budgets.
Even with the new trucks in service, the county will have 22 vehicles with an average age of 18 years old.
Council chairman Steve Brown at the time rejected the spending request, pointing to its lack of inclusion in the overall fire plan proposal.
“I’m not against fire service, but I have a real problem of going outside what we put to the voters. We didn’t go to them and tell them we were going to float $6 million worth of debt and buy 16 trucks at one time,” he said. “I never heard the need for 15 or 16 fire trucks when we were going through the process of setting up the referendum, and that would have been the time to bring it up.”
For veterans of the county’s public safety sector, one question always comes up as talks of a stronger fire service emerge: Will there ever be a unified department that includes the city?
“They’re going to do what they need to do to protect their citizens, we’re going to do what we need to do, and it is going to require more people. I think any county would be remiss if they at least, at a minimum, didn’t ask the question,” Kinney said. “It may work, it may not work. I’ve learned in this job that any time you have a good idea, there’s always some kind of rule or regulation against it. There’s a lot of variables. It’s a conversation that may come up, but that’s years away.”
Kinney said elements of the plan need to be achieved before any consideration is given to a merger with the city.
“The public expects the fire department to respond in a timely manner, and with the resources needed to handle whatever situation arises. As we explained in the Funding section, the current fire fee structure makes this an unobtainable goal to achieve. We should educate the public on what we are tasked with and the cost associated with providing these services. Representatives of the fire service will develop a presentation explaining our service to be presented to civic organizations, senior groups, neighborhood watch teams, and church groups,” the plan says. “We have left the public completely unaware of the present state of our departments. By continuing to provide a service with aging equipment and dwindling manpower, our department infrastructure will continue to deteriorate.”
It’s difficult for Kinney to talk about fire response broken down by jurisdiction.
“I’ve been with the county for 33 years, and I’ve never had a line, working on EMS. There wasn’t a city, there wasn’t a county. I never thought, ‘Well, that ain’t mine.’ Lines make no sense to me,” he said. “I don’t have lines, and I’m not going to operate with lines. It’s a need.”
County Manager Toby Chappell said Kinney’s take on a possible alignment with the city accurate.
“The city has a first-rate fire department that has been built over many decades of work. With the growth, especially in terms of industry, and declining volunteerism, the county has to be willing to look at all possible options to keep our residents and businesses safe,” he said. “While we have a duty to explore all reasonable options we must continue to acknowledge the critical role that our volunteers have played and will play in the future of public safety in Greenwood County.”
Short of working under the same roof, Holmes said several other concepts could be explored to bring the city and county’s fire programs closer, such as mutual code enforcement and common training regimens.
“We both are already working with EMS, because medical responses are driving the cost of emergency services through the roof,” Holmes said. For instance, both the Northwest and Coronaca districts respond to about 1,000 calls annually, and 60 percent are for medical events.
“You’ll have to find the right blend that works for everyone. Our primary job is fire suppression, but when someone is having a life-threatening medical event, they need help quickly, and we supply what when we can,” Holmes said.
Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Mar 10, 2019
By ADAM BENSON abenson@indexjournal.com
Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/halfway-through-8-year-plan-county-fire-service-taking-strides-to-the-future/article_bb9dd99e-fca5-51d5-9d0b-eaed477207b9.html
Public meetings
/in Index-JournalMONDAY
GREENWOOD CITY COUNCIL
TIME: 5:30 p.m.
LOCATION: City Council chambers
AGENDA: PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Ordinance No. 19-011 Amending the City of Greenwood’s Official Zoning Map (Ordinance No. 04-020) by Rezoning 3.52 Acres of Land, Located at 314 Jackson Avenue, from R4 (Medium Density Residential) to R10 (High Density Residential); Consider Ordinance No. 19-012 Amending the City of Greenwood’s Official Zoning Map (Ordinance No. 04-020) by Rezoning 0.16 Acres of Land Located at 413 Montague from GC (General Commercial) and 401 Graydon Avenue from IP (Institutional Professional) to PDD (Planned Development District). (1st reading). PUBLIC APPEARANCES: Recognize Annette Edwards and Jamar Crawford Representing Next Level; Recognize Velma Wardlaw Representing Westside Coalition Planning Team; Recognize Bishop Oliver T. McCray, Jr. from Morris Chapel Baptist Church.
GREENWOOD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 50 BOARD OF
TRUSTEES
TIME: 6 p.m.
LOCATION: Genesis Education Center 400 Glenwood St.
AGENDA: Approval of Minutes; Adoption of Agenda; Information Items: Superintendent’s Report (Recognitions, Administrative Leadership In Service-August 6, 2019, 8:00 a.m., GEC, New Teacher Welcome- August 12, 2019, 3:00 p.m., GEC, Opening of School Ceremony, August Board Meeting-August 26, 2019), Board Retreat, Summer School Update; Minority Business Activity; Financial/Facility Update; Public Forum; Action Items: Policy-ADC-Tobacco Free School District; Executive Session: Personnel Matters — recommendations and Vacancies; Action Items: Personnel Recommendations and Vacancies.
GREENWOOD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 51 BOARD OF
TRUSTEES
TIME: 6 p.m.
LOCATION: Ware Shoals Community Library
AGENDA: Oath of office; Election of officers for 2019-20; Minutes; Approve agenda; Public Input; Superintendent’s update: registration for 2019-20, back to school celebration August 13, finance update 2019-18; Action items: certified staff recommendations, 2019-20 board meeting dates, policy revision (second reading: ADC, tobacco free school district; GBED, tobacco free workplace; JICG, tobacco use by students).
TUESDAY
GREENWOOD ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
TIME: 4 p.m.
LOCATION: Greenwood library
AGENDA: OLD BUSINESS: Third Reading: Ordinance 2019-06 establishing the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control in the Lake Impact Area. NEW BUSINESS: Update of CPST Parks, Bradley Volunteer Fire Station, and NGIP Spec Building; Consideration of the Appointment of Special Tax District Commissioners for subdivisions.
GREENWOOD COUNTY
COUNCIL
TIME: 5:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Greenwood library
AGENDA: OLD BUSINESS: Third Reading: Ordinance 2019-06 establishing the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control in the Lake Impact Area. Public Hearing and Third Reading: Ordinance 2019-12 authorizing the termination and cancellation of that certain Fee in Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes arrangement under Title 4, Chapter 29, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, as amended, entered into as of December 22, 1994 between Greenwood County, South Carolina (“County”), Greenville County, South Carolina, and Kemet Corporation (“Company”); authorizing the termination and cancellation of that certain Fee in Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes arrangement under Title 4, Chapter 29, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, as amended, entered into as of December 31, 1997 between the County and the Company; authorizing the termination and cancellation of certain lease purchase and millage rate and other associated agreements between the County and the Company; authorizing the re-conveyance by the County of related property to the Company; and other matters related thereto. THIRD READING: Public Hearing and Second Reading: Ordinance 2019-13 to amend the Greenwood County Zoning Ordinance, being Ordinance 13-86, as and if amended, so that two (2) parcels of land owned by Greenwood Holding Corporation & Andrew Evans Taylor Properties located at 2307 and 2317 Bypass 25 SE (G-Pin # 6854-722-653 & # 6854-665-545) in Greenwood, South Carolina changes zoning classifications from R-5 (Multi Family Residential) to C-2 (General Commercial). NEW BUSINESS: Consideration of the Appointment of Special Tax District Commissioners for subdivisions.
PIEDMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE AREA COMMISSION
TIME: 5:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Administration building, room 222A
AGENDA: Review of Minutes of Meeting Held on June 18, 2019; Nominating Committee Report; Requests from Academic Affairs: Approval of Vascular Sonography Certificate, Approval of Phlebotomy Certificate Termination; Financial Review: For Approval (Highlights, Budget Status Report), Facts Sheet, Other; President’s Report: Academic Affairs, Economic Development/Continuing Education, Facilities, Foundation, Human Resources, Off-Campus, Student Affairs & Communications; Chairman’s Comments; Executive Session.
Public meetings
/in Index-JournalMONDAY
GREENWOOD CITY COUNCIL
TIME: 5:30 p.m.
LOCATION: City Council chambers
AGENDA: Work session
TUESDAY
GREENWOOD COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
TIME: 4 p.m.
LOCATION: Greenwood Library
AGENDA: NEW BUSINESS:Consideration of contract with Davis and Floyd for CPST Parks Design and Construction; Consideration of the Appointment of Special Tax District Commissioners; First Reading: Ordinance 2019-13 to amend the Greenwood County Zoning Ordinance, being Ordinance 13-86, as and if amended, so that two (2) parcels of land owned by Greenwood Holding Corporation & Andrew Evans Taylor Properties located at 2307 and 2317 Bypass 25 SE (G-Pin # 6854-722-653 & # 6854-665-545) in Greenwood, South Carolina changes zoning classifications from R-5 (Multi Family Residential) to C2 (General Commercial)
GREENWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL
TIME: 5:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Greenwood Library
AGENDA: NEW BUSINESS: Consideration of contract with Davis and Floyd for CPST Parks Design and Construction; Consideration of the Appointment of Special Tax District Commissioners. First Reading: Ordinance 2019-13 to amend the Greenwood County Zoning Ordinance, being Ordinance 13-86, as and if amended, so that two (2) parcels of land owned by Greenwood Holding Corporation & Andrew Evans Taylor Properties located at 2307 and 2317 Bypass 25 SE (G-Pin # 6854-722-653 & # 6854-665-545) in Greenwood, South Carolina changes zoning classifications from R-5 (Multi Family Residential) to C-2 (General Commercial).
SALUDA TOWN HALL
TIME: 6 p.m.
LOCATION: 100 S. Jefferson St.
AGENDA: New business: A. First reading of ordinance 2019-02. B. Discussion on noise and fireworks ordinances. C. Discussion on sanitation policies and fees. Executive session to discuss employee matters within administration department. Possible actions from executive session. Council comments.
Large-scale capital project sales tax ventures progressing countywide
/in UncategorizedNearly three years after voters agreed to charge themselves an additional sales tax penny to finance dozens of capital improvement projects around the county, fruits of those investments are starting to be seen in significant ways.
From the construction of a groundbreaking manufacturing training center at Piedmont Technical College to long-ignored parks getting much needed attention, some of the most high profile items on the list are in various stages of development.
As of April 5, all funds have been collected to build the William O’Dell Center for Upstate Manufacturing Excellence on the campus of Piedmont Technical College. Almost half of the $15 million project is being paid for through money collected locally, with $6.09 million set aside through the sales tax levy to finance it.
Josh Skinner, coordinator of the county’s CPST program, said pre-construction work has begun, with the Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works laying down water lines to help with site grading.
“I think they’re thinking by the end of the year they’ll have it pretty much completed, so that’s a lofty goal,” Skinner said.
Piedmont Tech President Ray Brooks said the 15,000-square foot complex could open as early as the fall, or in January 2020 at the latest.
“I think workforce is going to be one of the big challenges and opportunities that we all have going forward,” he said. “I think we’re very fortunate that Greenwood citizens were visionary enough to pass the sales tax because the return on investment will go many, many years into the future,” he said.
In its 2016 funding application, Greenwood Parks and Trails identified eight proposals at a cost of $6.5 million. The organization built Magnolia Park, located at 244 Magnolia Ave., in the late 1990s. Officials hope to use $183,000 to renovate its pavilion, walking trails and playground equipment.
County leaders made it clear in a joint meeting with city officials in February that day-to-day maintenance of any public park located within an incorporated area must be absorbed by local councils.
Nearly half of the $5.57 million allocation for improvements to public parks are in hand, with a civil engineer and landscape architect team already chosen to help with design.
Skinner said $2.53 million has already been collected, and the remaining funds should be in hand by 2021.
“Magnolia Park, Hodges and Troy parks we’ve all agreed have been implemented first to break ground,” Skinner said.
“There was discussion about who’s going to staff and who is going to maintain certain parks, and it seems like to me, before these parks are built, those negotiations need to be completed so that everybody will have the same understanding,” County Council chairman Steve Brown said.
County Manager Toby Chappell said municipalities were told of the county’s position early in the process.
“The answer to your question is, ‘No, that you should not assume the county is going to staff any of these parks.’ When we met with the cities, we were explicit that we would build these project, but they would take ownership of what was in them,” he said.
Just a month after voters approved the sales tax package in November 2016, county officials agreed to a $4.1 million contract with Motorola to provide upgraded radios for public safety agencies, buying 400 of them that tie into Palmetto 800, a statewide network of 75 agencies.
At the time, county leaders balked at going into debt — however temporary — to secure the technology, but Motorola offered Greenwood a $435,000 discount and zero interest until November 2018 if they agreed to the deal at the time.
Skinner said those funds have since been collected and paid in full to satisfy terms of the deal.
Last month, an architect with Charleston-based Meadors Inc. met with caretakers of the GLEAMNS Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historic Preservation Site, which is moving forward with a major expansion using $646,592 in capital project sales tax proceeds.
Public Meetings
/in UncategorizedTUESDAY
GREENWOOD COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
TIME: 4 p.m.
LOCATION: Greenwood library
AGENDA: PRESENTATION: Update on Capital Project Sales Tax projects; NEW BUSINESS:Request from Greenwood Metropolitan District for a 25’ right-of-way for the construction, maintenance, etc. of a sewer pipeline over, under, and through tax map number 6879-963-082; Discussion regarding the County’s objection to Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC’s request for a permit from DHEC to place fill material in wetlands and unnamed tributaries; Consideration of the Appointment of Tax Commissioners for the following Subdivision – Shelby Crowley, Interim County Treasurer: Center Court – Charles Johnson, District Six; Consideration of Policy 4.16 Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Form; Approval of Agreement to Create a Joint Greenwood City/County Litter Coordinator.
GREENWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL
TIME: 5:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Greenwood library
AGENDA: PRESENTATION: Presentation from Kendrick Williams regarding a letter received on March 25, 2019 pertaining to Lil Hawk’s Auto Body and Paint Shop; OLD BUSINESS: Ordinance 2018-27 authorizing the execution and delivery of a Fee-in-Lieu of Tax Agreement by and among Greenwood County, Greenwood MLT, LLC and Greenwood Fabricating & Plating, LLC, acting for itself, and one or more current or future affiliates and other project sponsors, whereby Greenwood County will enter into a Fee-in-Lieu of tax arrangement with Project Riverbend and provide for payment by Project Riverbend of certain Fees-in-Lieu of ad valorem taxes; providing for special source revenue credits or infrastructure improvement credits; providing for the allocation of Fees-in-Lieu of taxes payable under the agreement for the establishment of a multicounty industrial/business park; and other related matters;Ordinance 2019-04 authorizing the execution and delivery of a Fee-In-Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes and Special Source Revenue Credit Agreement by and between Greenwood County, South Carolina and Duke Energy Renewables Solar, LLC to provide for payment of a Fee-In-Lieu of Taxes; authorizing the inclusion of a project site in a Multi-County Business Park; authorizing certain Special Source Revenue Credits; and other related matters; Ordinance 2019-05 of Greenwood County, South Carolina (the “County”) authorizing the conversion of certain Fee-In-Lieu of tax arrangements between the County and Turbine Component Services Greenwood LLC, as successor-in-interest to Walbar, Inc. (“Turbine Component”) represented by that certain lease purchase agreement between the County and Turbine Component, as successor-in-interest to Walbar, Inc., effective as of December 31, 2001, as amended (the “lease agreement”) to a simplified fee type Fee-In-Lieu of tax arrangement by entering into a Fee-In-Lieu of tax agreement (“converted fee agreement”), transferring the property subject to the lease agreement to Turbine Component and terminating the lease agreement and related agreements; NEW BUSINESS: Public Hearing regarding a request from Greenwood Metropolitan District for a 25’ rightof-way for the construction, maintenance, etc. of a sewer pipeline over, under, and through tax map number 6879-963-082; Discussion regarding the County’s objection to Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC’s request for a permit from DHEC to place fill material in wetlands and unnamed tributaries; Consideration of the Appointment of Tax Commissioners for the following Subdivision – Shelby Crowley, Interim County Treasurer: Center Court – Charles Johnson, District Six; Consideration of Policy 4.16 Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Form; Approval of Agreement to Create a Joint Greenwood City/County Litter Coordinator.
SALUDA TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
TIME: 5:45 p.m.
LOCATION: Saluda Town Hall, 100 South Jefferson St., Saluda
AGENDA: Public hearing on ordinance 2019-01.
SALUDA COUNTY COUNCIL
CALLED MEETING
TIME: 6 p.m.
LOCATION: Saluda County Administration Building, 400 West Highland St., Saluda
AGENDA: Old business: 1. Update on new Saluda County Detention Center. New Business: Consideration of use of county grounds policy. Executive session: Council may go into executive session pursuant to Section 30-4-70(a)(2) of the South Carolina Code of Laws 1976, as amended to receive legal advice in relation to the new detention center.
SALUDA TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TIME: 6 p.m.
LOCATION: Saluda Town Hall, 100 South Jefferson St., Saluda
AGENDA: Unfinished business to include second reading of ordinances: A. Second reading of ordinance 2019-01. New business to include introduction and first reading of ordinances and resolutions and matters presented by council members: A. Swearing in of new police officer B. Appointment of board members C. Approval of amended USDA letter of conditions for USDA grant/loan D. Approval to accept property donation E. Presentation from Saluda County Water and Sewer. Executive session to discuss contractual matters within the court department and with water and sewer providers. Possible actions from executive session.
Mays site expansion mirror into civil right pioneer’s soul
/in UncategorizedThroughout his rich life, Benjamin E. Mays had ample reason to accept the intolerance around him as an overwhelming force too strong to fight.
But that wouldn’t do for a man whose very autobiography is called “Born to Rebel” — gains had to be made by rejecting oppression through educational pursuit, Biblical adherence and mentorship.
Where many others saw odds too stacked against them, Mays pictured victory.
By the time he died in 1984, Mays — adviser to three presidents, chairman of the Atlanta school board, confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and intellectual leader of the Civil Rights movement — would already be a symbol of grace and fortitude.
Now, with plans moving forward to dramatically expand the GLEAMNS Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historic Preservation Site into a national clearinghouse of academic thought, its architecture should only be a reflection of the man’s own spirit, project organizers say.
Officials last week gave the Index-Journal an inside look at drawings for the $646,592 venture, making public for the first time renderings of the final product — all being paid for through 2016 capital project sales tax funds.
The dollars will be in place by April, with bids going out in late summer. GLEAMNS retained Charleston-based architect Meadors Inc. to create a framework for the project. Groundbreaking could occur as early as October.
Jeremy Tate, a partner at the firm, said Meadors believed in the undertaking so much the company was willing to forgo upfront payments to help with the design, first meeting with Mays site officials in January 2017.
“We knew initially this was going to be a part of this penny sales tax project, and in addition to us appreciating your interest in the project, we were happy that you were willing to wait on getting reimbursed knowing that we had this money coming. We’re excited now we’re back to a place where we think we can re-engage, because a good portion of the money is available,” said Mays site director Christopher Thomas.
All associated costs — from planning to construction — are covered through the project sales tax allocation, officials said.
With a replica schoolhouse and Mays’ childhood home already on the campus, the addition of a visitors’ center built in the image of Mays’ home church in Epworth is highly symbolic, Thomas said — acknowledging the intersection of education, faith and civic engagement that defined Mays’ life.
“Were I so tall as to reach the pole or grasp the ocean at a span, I must be measured by my soul, the mind is the standard of man,” poet William Henley once wrote. Mays found so much meaning in the words he often used it during lectures with students at Morehouse College, where served as president from 1940 through 1967.
From the wood exteriors to the positioning of buildings themselves, every facet of the campus has meaning, articulated in a vision statement provided by Meadors.
“The chapel is oriented east to look to the rising sun with the steeple connecting the chapel with the North Star,” Tate wrote.
The structure was designed after Mays’ childhood church in Epworth, but it’s actually a large visitors’ center – though rife with meaning.
“The chapel starts with a solid base to represent self and strength of belief, the steeple transforms to be more transparent to reflect the vulnerabilities of standing alone and being fragile in that honest moment,” Tate wrote.
Opening into a 150-seat auditorium, the center can be used for panel discussions, film screenings and other large gatherings — or act as a revenue stream for GLEAMNS by being rented out for weddings and other private functions.
Tate said the decision to use native woods such as cypress and cedar — along with rough-hewn stone and other materials was a conscientious effort to give the entire site a contemplative feel.
Though a departure from original plans, Tate said Meadors Inc.
“We felt like we needed to deviate a little bit from that so as not to create something that was artificial,” Tate said.
On the roof, cedar paneling will be used.
“This comes about due to the tree’s endurance through tumultuous periods in its life,” is how Tate described the decision.
In November 2017, civil rights leaders from around the country joined local officials for the dedication of a statue of Mays at the site which bears his name — the only marker of him that exists in the state.
Since then, the site has only become even more historically significant. In January 2018, it was added to the U.S. Civil Rights Trail as one of nine in South Carolina.
Last summer, it was named as the state’s third Literary Landmark by the American Library Association.
Inside the existing museum, space is at a premium. The walls are full of Mays’ honorary degrees (he has 55), photographs with presidents, world leaders and family members.
There’s a 1920s-era steamer trunk Mays traveled with, his Ph.D. robe and attire from the University of Chicago, and an academic chair from his time at Bates College.
As more Mays-related memorabilia and artifacts find their way to Greenwood, curators want to ensure they can be displayed both safely and with respect.
“We can put a few things in the new auditorium, on the walls and things like that,” said Loy Sartin, Thomas’ predecessor and a Mays preservationist.
Thomas said officials will also look for ways to shift existing pieces into the new building.
“It’s going to double our space, and let us tell parts of his story that we haven’t yet been able to because of space limitations now,” he said.
Tate said the challenge for his company was to use architecture as a tribute to Mays without replicating what already exists.
“Rather, we’re going to tell a story through experience as you walk through it,” Tate said. “
Halfway through 8-year plan, county fire service taking strides to the future
/in UncategorizedDuring a still morning in Ware Shoals, firefighters Russell Cline and Blake Schultz were testing air packs, fans and other rescue gear ahead of their move to a $1 million facility much closer to the busy U.S. Route 25 corridor.
It’s one of many transitions Greenwood County’s nearly all-volunteer based fire service has experienced over its four decades. Now, halfway through an ambitious eight-year master plan, those closest to the ground say the system remains vital as ever — but challenges continue as officials look for areas of improvement for a district that serves 46,661 residents across 463 square miles, with 17,500 structures.
On a broad level, Greenwood County’s 12-district coverage area and stable of more than 200 volunteer firefighters are part of the American story.
“It’s a great fire service. We’ve got a fantastic group of volunteers that dedicate their time and talent,” said Derek Kinney, the county’s EMS director.
The National Fire Protection Association estimates that of the 1.16 million firefighters deployed across the country, 70 percent them were volunteers — or 814,850.
Greenwood County Fire Coordinator Steve Holmes, who started his career with the Northwest Volunteer Fire Department in 1979, at just 16, said when crews show up at a scene, issues of territory never emerge.
“While they all still have their home station and identity, they are proud being members of the Greenwood County fire service. I may have a firefighter from Station 30 driving an engine from Station 20, or a member from Ware Shoals responding to a scene in Coronaca,” Holmes said. “I know first-hand how much the level of cooperation has changed over 40 years, and I’m very proud of how hard they have all worked to make this system a true, countywide system.”
Still, manpower is always a problem, but officials have agreed to a short-term solution. The county will soon bring on seven full-time firefighters, assuring around-the-clock response anywhere in vast district.
Right now, 25 part-time members work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, staffing three engines with two firefighters each. That’s halved response times from the 24-minute average when relying solely on volunteers, Holmes said.
“The most pressing need is the continued efforts to find people in the community that feel they have need to serve others as a volunteer. Finding people willing to invest the time needed to become a firefighter/emergency medical responder is a tough undertaking,” Holmes said. “Recruitment and retention of volunteers is vital for us to provide adequate protection to our community.”
The average age of a county volunteer firefighter is 40.7.
“The end result is we’d have four crews working 12-hour days to offset the men and women who volunteer their time. That’s a huge addition,” Kinney said. The paid staff will be stationed along Highway 246, near the county’s largest manufacturing industries.
County fire officials were successful in securing $14.2 million through the 2016 capital project sales tax initiative to implement the master plan — which includes construction of six stations by 2022 at a cost of $3.6 million and $7.4 million worth of renovations to existing ones.
Key to the plan was also a 6-1 vote by the County Council in September agreeing to borrow more than $6 million for the purchase of 16 vehicles — with money generated from the tax paying it back by April 2022.
Holmes said 11 of the 16 vehicles will replace ones that average 29 years old and have a history of breaking down, creating safety concerns and swelling maintenance budgets.
Even with the new trucks in service, the county will have 22 vehicles with an average age of 18 years old.
Council chairman Steve Brown at the time rejected the spending request, pointing to its lack of inclusion in the overall fire plan proposal.
“I’m not against fire service, but I have a real problem of going outside what we put to the voters. We didn’t go to them and tell them we were going to float $6 million worth of debt and buy 16 trucks at one time,” he said. “I never heard the need for 15 or 16 fire trucks when we were going through the process of setting up the referendum, and that would have been the time to bring it up.”
For veterans of the county’s public safety sector, one question always comes up as talks of a stronger fire service emerge: Will there ever be a unified department that includes the city?
“They’re going to do what they need to do to protect their citizens, we’re going to do what we need to do, and it is going to require more people. I think any county would be remiss if they at least, at a minimum, didn’t ask the question,” Kinney said. “It may work, it may not work. I’ve learned in this job that any time you have a good idea, there’s always some kind of rule or regulation against it. There’s a lot of variables. It’s a conversation that may come up, but that’s years away.”
Kinney said elements of the plan need to be achieved before any consideration is given to a merger with the city.
“The public expects the fire department to respond in a timely manner, and with the resources needed to handle whatever situation arises. As we explained in the Funding section, the current fire fee structure makes this an unobtainable goal to achieve. We should educate the public on what we are tasked with and the cost associated with providing these services. Representatives of the fire service will develop a presentation explaining our service to be presented to civic organizations, senior groups, neighborhood watch teams, and church groups,” the plan says. “We have left the public completely unaware of the present state of our departments. By continuing to provide a service with aging equipment and dwindling manpower, our department infrastructure will continue to deteriorate.”
It’s difficult for Kinney to talk about fire response broken down by jurisdiction.
“I’ve been with the county for 33 years, and I’ve never had a line, working on EMS. There wasn’t a city, there wasn’t a county. I never thought, ‘Well, that ain’t mine.’ Lines make no sense to me,” he said. “I don’t have lines, and I’m not going to operate with lines. It’s a need.”
County Manager Toby Chappell said Kinney’s take on a possible alignment with the city accurate.
“The city has a first-rate fire department that has been built over many decades of work. With the growth, especially in terms of industry, and declining volunteerism, the county has to be willing to look at all possible options to keep our residents and businesses safe,” he said. “While we have a duty to explore all reasonable options we must continue to acknowledge the critical role that our volunteers have played and will play in the future of public safety in Greenwood County.”
Short of working under the same roof, Holmes said several other concepts could be explored to bring the city and county’s fire programs closer, such as mutual code enforcement and common training regimens.
“We both are already working with EMS, because medical responses are driving the cost of emergency services through the roof,” Holmes said. For instance, both the Northwest and Coronaca districts respond to about 1,000 calls annually, and 60 percent are for medical events.
“You’ll have to find the right blend that works for everyone. Our primary job is fire suppression, but when someone is having a life-threatening medical event, they need help quickly, and we supply what when we can,” Holmes said.
City, county leaders work toward common ground in joint meeting
/in UncategorizedQuality-of-life issues dominated a joint meeting of the Greenwood city and county councils this week, with officials trying to find common ground on areas including parks and recreation management, litter control and landfill disposal costs.
Members from both councils said meeting together early in the year was a top priority, with plans from the session helping to influence policy and budget decisions in 2019.
“We think we have a lot of common interests that we need to be talking about. We both serve the same people,” County Council chairman Steve Brown said.
Parks and recreation
With the city’s increasing parks footprint — including plans for a 13-acre site along Foundry Road — delineating oversight over the county’s recreation portfolio was a key point for municipal officials.
That venture will be paid for in part using $1.75 million through the 2016 capital project sales tax.
“There’s a lot of hands in the pot that I think could use some cleaning up. As we continue to look at how the capital projects sales tax is going to bring expansion and updating to parks, it feels like a good time to try and clean it up,” City Manager Julie Wilkie said. “We’re going to have to identify who owns what, who takes care of what and how these costs line up.”
In Ninety Six and Ware Shoals, the county offers active recreation opportunities such organized sports programs, while local entities are responsible for day-to-day maintenance, Brown said.
In what a recurring theme, county leaders were clear that offering special treatment to one municipality government entity means setting a precedent for others.
“What we do for one, we have to do for the other, and I think (County Manager) Toby Chappell and Julie have a good starting point. We believe our role is in the active recreation. Asking us to take on every park in this county, we don’t have the money, we don’t have the staff. So we would ask, meet us halfway,” Brown said.
Litter abatement
County officials have already committed $50,000 worth of hospitality tax funds to fight a stubborn litter problem that has been identified as a hindrance for economic development.
How that money will be deployed remains to be seen, but the city could help by pursuing state grants to pay for the operational costs of an abatement program, County Council members said.
In exchange, the county could pick up the costs of personnel to run it, Chappell said.
“I would like some kind of assurance that there is operational money before we hire somebody,” Chappell said.
Mayor Brandon Smith, who made city beautification a cornerstone of his campaign, said he stands ready to partner with the county to address the issue.
“We’re not unique in terms of this problem, but we want to be unique in finding a way to fix it,” he said.
County Councilman Mark Allison and City Councilwoman Niki Hutto — both real estate agents — suggested private sector buy-in by having Wilkie reach out business with large parking lots about keeping them trash-free.
Allison has been an outspoken critic of those who continue to litter.
“We definitely have a serious problem with trash in our county, and it’s throughout the city and county,” he said.
Capping landfill fees
One of the most expensive pieces of the county’s inventory, the landfill’s revenue stream is set up as an enterprise fund, which allows for fee collections that can be used to finance its growth.
But as the city moves forward with neighborhood reclamation projects by taking down vacant and blighted homes, the cost of moving all that inventory to the county’s landfill adds up.
“We know if County Council was willing to cut us a break where we could put it in to bids at lesser costs, it would allow us to do more with less,” Wilkie said.
County leaders said they’re willing to compromise, but asked for detailed figures about what kind of cap the city wants.
“To me, it would be some kind of refund or credit, and I would think it’s going to have to be a maximum amount each year because we’d have to know that amount to do our budget. What we do for you, we’d have to do for others,” Brown said.
County audit shows strong financial outlook
/in UncategorizedGreenwood County ended the 2017-18 year on a strong financial note, adding nearly $1 million to its fund balance, while grappling with rising state health insurance and retirement costs.
Putting $819,000 more into the coffers, County Manager Toby Chappell said, boosts the rainy day account to 4.4 months worth of operating costs — more than double the 2 percent standard.
“All the while, we have continued to address capital needs. For example, roofs, HVAC units, a new county website and vehicles,” Chappell said. “With the recent departure of the treasurer, we will have to go through the selection process for a new treasurer. Anytime you bring in someone new for such a vital role it is concerning. I do not have any concerns about the financial health of the county, our bonded debt is zero, we have a capital project sales tax in place to address new capital needs, our fund balance is robust, and the foundation of our economic base is diversified; these are all signs of healthy finances.”
Josh Garvin, of Manley Garvin LLC, presented county leaders on Tuesday its comprehensive annual financial report for the year that began July 1, 2017 and ended on June 30.
Last month, Chappell said officials are working on a plan to modernize the county’s retiree health insurance plan — a policy that’s been in place since 1997 and currently pays out roughly $500,000 annually.
In 1999, the council voted to amend its policy, agreeing to pay out retirement benefits after an employee turned 65 based on their years of service.
Language in the 1997 motion set county-covered premiums at between 50 and 100 percent based on years of service for retired workers. It was not retroactive.
A driver for that decision, Chappell said, is the nearly $30 million in future liability to the county for post-employment benefit pay.
“The continued increases in state health insurance and state retirement are now and each year become bigger driving factors in our budgets. We are in the middle of multi-year increases to the county portion of the retirement system that are due to poor decisions made in Columbia,” Chappell said. “This reality is the reason that the county has begun discussions about addressing this significant liability, especially on the health insurance side. If we are not able to address this liability now, current and future employees will be harmed in order to pay for the benefits of retirees.”
Also last year, the county agreed to $6.6 million worth of tax abatements for business recruitment and retention.
Chappell said officials are strategic in deciding which projects are worthy of such perks.
“There may be firmly held views on whether the county should or should not offer tax incentives to companies, and reasonable people can disagree on this issue. However, what is not in dispute is the fact that Greenwood County is strongest when we have a diversified economic base, which includes industrial, commercial, and residential ventures,” Chappell said.
“In order to be competitive, and we have likely been competitive when our size and other factors would indicate that we shouldn’t be, we have to offer economic development incentives. If the county took the position that we would not offer incentives the industrial base in Greenwood County would not be present as it is today.”
Greenwood County to be hotbed for youth baseball in ’19
/in UncategorizedGreenwood County will be a hotbed of activity for youth baseball in 2019, with a pair of organizations hosting tournaments over 12 weekends that will bring thousands of people to the area.
Last week, Greenwood Emerald Baseball Club president Matt Howard told the County Council that Concord, North Carolina-based Top Gun Sports and the United States Specialty Sports Association have agreed to bring league play on weekends starting March 2.
In all, the tournaments will bring in about 2,100 people each – that’s 25,200 in all.
“Some will be making a day trip and will be frequenting our restaurants, and some will require overnight lodging,” Howard said. “We typically have not been a destination for these, but there’s opportunity here.”
Howard credited county parks and recreation director Tripp May with helping to secure some of the tournaments, and making sure the Wilbanks complex is kept in well enough condition to allow for the added traffic.
The USSSA is a breeding ground for top baseball talent. Alumni include Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price, who played a key role in leading the team to a World Series title over the Los Angeles Dodgers last year.
Bryce Harper, the National League’s 2015 MVP, also played USSSA ball, as did 2014 World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner.
Enhancing recreational assets through the county was identified by the council as a top priority in 2019, and facilities including the Wilbanks complex, J.C. Fox “Boozer” site in Ninety Six and other locations are in line to get a combined $10.7 million worth of upgrades through the voter-approved 2016 capital projects sales tax levy.
Howard said the attendance that will accompany the tournaments would be bolstered by small investments at the Wilbanks facility, including functioning water fountains and freshly painted structures.
County Councilman Theo Lane said he was happy at the prospect of Greenwood becoming a go-to destination for youth sports.
“That’s 25,000 people you’ve already booked,” he said.
Public Meetings
/in Index-JournalTUESDAY
SALUDA TOWN COUNCIL
TIME: 6 p.m.
LOCATION: 100 South Jefferson St.
AGENDA: Appearance by citizens or others; Reports from municipal officers; Administration; Building Codes; Finance; Court; CPW; Fire; Police; Streets/Sanitation. Reports of standing committees; N/A. Unfinished business to include second reading of ordinances; N/A. New business: include introduction and first reading of ordinances and resolutions and matters presented by council members; Appointment of Staff. First Reading of Amended Fireworks Ordinance 2020-01. Executive Session to Discuss Employee Policies and Contractual Matters within the Police Department; Possible Actions from Executive Session.
GREENWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL
TIME: 5:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Greenwood County Library
AGENDA: Presentation: Mayor Brandon Smith, City of Greenwood – Local Option Sales Tax. Public Comment (Sign-In Only). New Business: Acceptance of Manley Garvin FY2018 Final Audit for Greenwood County. – Josh Garvin, Manley Garvin. Consideration of Proclamation to recognize Grand Master Darnell Leak. – Councilwoman Melissa Spencer, District Three. Consideration of H-Tax application for Greenwood Water Ski Events, LLC in the amount of $12,000 for expenses related to the 2020 AWSA Southern Region Water Ski Championships. – Scott Snape, Greenwood Water Ski Events, LLC. Consideration of annual approval of Airport Capital Improvement Plan. – Rob Russian, County Engineer. Consideration of the appointment of Special Tax District Commissioners for the following Subdivisions. – Cathy Miller, County Treasurer: Centre Court – William Kimler (New), District Six Idlewood – John Hasting (New), District Six. Consideration of a revision to Policy 10.5 – Special Tax Districts to change Section A (3) in conformity with state law. – Elizabeth Taylor, County Attorney. Consideration of a contract between THS Constructors and Greenwood County regarding the construction of a speculative building in the North Greenwood Industrial Park. – Josh Skinner, CPST Coordinator. Resolution 2020-01 approving the transfer of funds from General Fund to Capital Projects Sales Tax Fund for North Greenwood Industrial Park Speculative Building Project. – Josh Skinner, CPST Coordinator. First Reading: Ordinance 2020-01 authorizing (1) the execution and delivery of amended and restated Special Source Revenue Credit Agreement by and between Greenwood County, South Carolina (the “County”) and Cole Mt. Greenwood SC, LLC (the “amended agreement”) to clarify the terms of the existing agreement and extend the existing agreement up to an additional ten (10) years; (2) the execution and delivery of an amended Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Greenwood (the “City”); and (3) other matters related thereto (Title Only). – Elizabeth Taylor, County Attorney.
THURSDAY
COMMISSIONERS
OF PUBLIC WORKS
TIME: 10 a.m.
LOCATION: Boardroom, 121 West Court Ave.
AGENDA: Bid Opening: G-1-2020 – Compact Trencher, G-2-2020 – 2” and 4” Plastic Gas Pipe. Approval of Minutes: December 12, 2019 (Pages 6-11). Financial Statement (Pages 12-31). Department Reports (Pages 32-46). Business: Consideration of Chamber of Commerce Renewal (Page 47), Consideration of Topiary Sponsorship (Page 48). Presentation of Quarterly Gas Update.
THURSDAY
GREENWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT 50 CALLED BOARD MEETING
TIME: 7 p.m.
LOCATION: Emerald High School, 150 SC-225
AGENDA: Call to Order (David Trent). Executive Session:Superintendent’s Interim Evaluation, Personnel Matters-Recommendations and Vacancies. Action Items: Any Action as Required from Executive Session, Personnel Matters-Recommendations and Vacancies. Wrap up (David Trent).