What do we know, as a result of a Freedom of Information Act victory by the Residents for Quality Rural Living over Laurens County in a recent court decision? Because a judge ordered them to (the decision is under appeal), the County Council listed three specific reasons, in advance, of why it spent 83 minutes in closed session last Monday night.
It met with a small army of lawyers to talk about four pending legal actions against the county, and its agenda listed the case numbers. Referencing the Public Index, we know that two cases involve the aforementioned FOIA case - the decision/appeal and the mediation - and we know that a third case involves an appointment to the Library Board and a fourth case involves an FOIA related to a June 2023 meeting of county officials with the Laurens County Transportation Committee.
Closed Session Item Two - we know that the Council met with its lawyers in an attorney-client privilege session to discuss a potential litigation. This, according to the specific reason, involves a city in Laurens County concerned about the collection of taxes. This might be Clinton - City and School District 56 officials have openly discussed concerns that they might be getting “shorted” on tax collections and reimbursements. We know that the council has changed some formulas related to FILOTs, and perhaps not to the better as the cities and school districts see it. Maybe. Maybe not. The litigation, if it materializes, will make that clear.
Closed Session Item Three - we know the county is going to hire and compensate an Emergency Management Director (thought they already has one). Council authorized that move with a vote after the closed session; no other information about the litigation was forthcoming.
So, what do we know outside of the closed session. Well, we know that the request to designate property in the Watts Mill area of Laurens into an industrial or business park so it can become residential housing received the 2nd of 3 required readings. And, we know the County’s Comprehensive Plan, as amended for clarity, is on the same track for final approval - this is a very important element of future growth. We know that County Administrator Thomas Higgs has a new 3-year contract, which becomes a public document after it is executed.
And, this is interesting, we know that Laurens County is going to sell 24.07 acres near the Sterilite plant in Clinton to something called Project Act III. Since developers have not asked the county for a FILOT, it seems to be a commercial business, not an industry.
We know that the County and the City of Clinton have entered into an agreement whereby magistrates will handle bond hearings for city suspects - at the jail, so they don’t have to be hauled back and forth to the MS Bailey Municipal Center. Read the document and you will find that the city will pay the county $8,000 per judge not to exceed four judges. We know the county is amending its mobile homes ordinance to provide some clarity about an issue related to county codes and the planning commission. We know that a solar project known as Yorkshire 3 is going to have its FILOT (fee in lieu of taxes) agreement transferred over to Duke Energy.
And, our neighbors in Northern Laurens County are going to interested in knowing, the County is going to deed a right-of-way to improve the safety and road access to the massive Durbin Meadows subdivision. This involves Happy Valley Road, Durbin Road and Sullivan Road - council heard a complaint about this safety issue not being taken care of at the July 8 meeting. The developer is handling road widening in this area to make commuting safer for his subdivision’s residents and the people living around this area.
So - along with a discussion about the fireworks safety ordinance that is not moving forward - it was a pretty good amount of work for the 40 minutes that the council spent in open session. And, there will be more; the Laurens County Council is scheduled for 4 public hearings and, likely, final ordinance action on some of these matters at its September 9 meeting (sadly, the fireworks safety ordinance never made it to a public hearing).
Stay tuned. This is your County Tax Money at work.
