City of Clinton Fire Department officials, along with representatives of a fire trucks company, will inspect a truck in Florida that the City is interested in buying.
It is a 2008 Sutphen 100-ft aerial truck that could be put into operation in addition to the 75-ft aerial truck that Clinton Fire already has. There is a fire bay ready to accommodate the truck, if it is found to be worthy of purchase. Clinton City Council authorized the inspection at its meeting Monday evening.
But Council Member Anita Williams asked, if the City needs a fire truck, why wasn’t the purchase budgeted. City Manager Joey Meadors said Clinton Fire has been looking for a suitable truck - a new truck of this kind would cost $2 Million - for some time and relatively recently found this truck available for purchase. Mayor Randy Randall said with the next round of budget talks, he plans to have department heads come in person to discuss their needs with the council, rather than have these transmitted through city staff.
“Where’s all this money coming from? We can’t keep upping on our citizens,” Williams said.
Meadors said the potential $500,000 purchase does not come from currently budget funds, but rather from impact fees, charged to developers who build new houses, and other funds. These monies can be used for equipment, but not salaries, and “this is exactly what impact fees are designed for; this does not affect our current budget.”
Williams pointed to the fact that Clinton Police recently were authorized to spend unbudgeted money on replacement body cameras, with council approval. Meadors said that was an emergency because an archiving system thought to be reliable for at least another year, instead failed.
If the City buys this aerial truck, the $500,000, which Meadors pointed out is a million and a half dollars savings over a new truck, the money will come from: $190,000 impact fees, $115,000 from reserves, and $195,000 from the sale of property. Meadors said the City gets 50% of the money that the Clinton Economic Development Corporation obtains from the sale of property and sale of the Leonard property is expected to close soon for $1.56 Million.
Randall said not having a 100-ft aerial fire truck probably already affects the City’s ISO rating and, thus, the insurance rates of all property owners in the city. Meadors said some new developments - like Nordson bringing its operations into full production at its Hwy 72/I-26 plant site - necessitate having a 100-ft aerial fire truck.
It wasn’t mentioned at the meeting but aerial fire trucks were instrumental in getting the massive Uptown Clinton fire under control in August, 2024. Also, City Council has authorized a zoning change that could bring a concrete manufacturer to property at the Hwy56/I-26 interchange, and that change was made necessary because the company plans to construct a building taller than current zoning had allowed.
The current 75-ft aerial truck will remain in service, and Meadors said with the growth that Clinton is experiencing, the 100-ft truck might be needed at a new substation somewhere near the interstate. He said the current 75-ft truck will be kept in the city because it is more maneuverable in tight city streets.
Meadors said Clinton Fire believes that a 2008 truck can be kept in service another 8 - 10 years.
“When we do budget again, each department needs to talk to council let us know of needs. I don’t see how we are not over budget with all we are adding. Finance tells us we are in good shape - how? Every time we spent we are in good shape. Where’s all this money coming from? We can’t keep upping on our citizens,” Williams said.
Randall said, “Last year’s budget, we were in the process of hiring a city manager and other things. When we put things together (at this coming year’s budget time), we will be able to get out front of this.”
Meadors said looking forward on city needs is part of the Jan. 8 start of developing a new strategic plan. Buying a new fire truck is a 3 - 5-year build out, he said, but “now we have the chance to get a truck for less money — it fits our needs.”
Council Member Danny Cook asked how many hours of service the Florida truck has - council was told the truck has 40,000 miles on it, and it will be thoroughly inspected before a purchase decision is made. The Florida city is taking delivery on another truck, so the truck Clinton is interested in will remain in service in Florida until the new truck arrives, likely in March.
“We have the first right of refusal,” Meadors said, and Clinton Fire could review the purchase again if the Florida city’s truck is delayed. With all this, it is possible Clinton could have its second aerial fire truck by May.
A motion authorizing the inspection of the Florida truck passed on a 6-1 vote - Williams voted “no”.
In other business, council adopted 2 proclamations - December as Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month and honoring Mt. Moriah Baptist Church’s 170th anniversary, presented to church members.
Council formally adopted a Planning Commission recommendation for a new RS-2 high density single family zoning designation for the city.
Council agreed to annex, but did not zone, 1.09 acres on the southeast side of Hwy 76 — this is at the Shell Creek subdivision beside Renfro.
Council approved a plurality form of deciding elections which basically eliminates run-offs. Meadors said under this measure, “if you are elected and you have 1 more vote (than the others) you would win the election.” The measure was recommended by the county voting office, and it saves the cost of having a runoff election. Council Member Danny Smith voted “no” - “I feel same way as when I voted against this the first time - if you have 3 or 4 people running for the same seat, someone could win with 25% of the vote.”
Council approved a 2026 council schedule and holiday schedule for the city. There are no changes for holidays, and the council calendar sets the first Monday of each month as the regular meeting day, except if there is a conflict/holiday (Labor Day). Council Member Megan Walsh observed that the council will have work sessions quarterly, and between June and August that could conflict with vacations - also, she said, the School District 56 calendar has weeks when the schools are closed, adding “in April I will not be here” for the first Monday.
Reports to Council included Meadors saying that Police and Fire are now back in 404 N. Broad St., after a $7 Million renovation. “We have to work out things there but operations there now are moving forward,” he said.
Meadors said there was a meeting at the Recreation Complex two weeks ago - “let the road dry out, then go out there and take a look, the back stops and fences are installed, it is almost complete.” For the spring, YMCA baseball and soccer could be played there, and “we have leads on early tournaments for soccer and baseball,” he said.
Meadors said Hurricane Helene “did a number on our lights” but Public Works now has repaired holiday lights in the Uptown trees and on buildings in time for Christmas. The City faced significant pushback from citizens last Christmas who complained that the city’s core district did not look festive enough - 3 months after Hurricane Helene smashed through Laurens County and western SC and NC.
“I’m excited for the planning for Main Street and others, and the placement of lights,” Council Member Danny Cook said. “What is the appropriate number for residents to call to report a street light out?”
Meadors said that number is 864-833-7520. But he asked for patience since crews are very busy installing holiday lights.
“I want to thank Clinton,” Council Member Anita Williams said. "During Thanksgiving, people cared so much in the community. They were feeding people, they gave out free turkeys. Citizens and businesses, the citizens that volunteered to feed people, not just homeless but anyone who needed a plate or wanted to come out for a meal. We were coming together during the Thanksgiving holidays and it was well-received. It felt good to be able to give back.”
“It is a busy season; stay safe and be careful out there,” Council Member Natalie Cogsdill said.
“I’m excited about Christmas and hope everyone is,” Council Member Gary Kuykendall said. “We have new businesses in the city. Many places have struggled through the hurricane and other disasters (but) good things are happening, we are improving safety with our streets, we have a good future ahead of us. I like to ride my bike down those roads and traffic is an issue (but) that is a sign of success.”
He urged traffic safety especially at Eastside Elementary / Springdale Drive and in front of Clinton High School / Hwy 72.
“The United Way gave out hams and turkeys,” Council Member Danny Smith said. “People gave money to purchase that food.”
Mayor Randall said, “There is a lot going on, this is a great time of year. I’m glad the parade is 10 (a.m.) instead of 9, it gives time for more people to get down there (Broad Street to watch) and it’s a job getting all these folks herded onto a fire truck.
“A special thanks to our guys who have been working on the lights; (retired council member) Truman Owens always wanted the lights, and when they came on, his smile got bigger. I appreciate the good thoughts and concerns, we do the best for our city as we grow and advance. Clinton is on the cusp of great things. We say that every year, and we mean it. I appreciate this group, coming together to make decisions. Our staff is second to none. When we get to January, we will work on the planning for the next year.”
