June Called Meeting

Budget Passed, Solar
Farm Announced

  Saluda County Council gave third and final reading to the 2017-2018 budget Mon., June 26, but the big news was the announcement of a massive solar farm for the county. 
  Council passed a resolution and gave first reading to an ordinance that will allow a fee in lieu of ad valorem taxes for the project.
    In a written report to County Council, Development Director Ed Parler said: 
  “What is known as the Project Beulah has plans to develop a 75 megawatt solar energy facility in Saluda County.
  The proposed site is on Beulah Road, bordered by Old Golf Course Road and Double Bridges Road, near Batesburg Leesville encompassing approximately 650+ acres.
  The company  has previously constructed two other solar facilities in the county - an 8.8 megawatt farm on Highway 121 and a four megawatt facility recently completed on Highway 378 across from Roya with a combined investment of $12 million. The Saluda County Council approved two separate fee in lieu of taxes agreements as an incentive to the company to construct these facilities, The agreements contained a six percent assessment rate for a period of thirty years and provided a 40% credit for the first thirty years.
  Beulah is a significantly larger project that would have a profound positive economic impact. The project is expected to bring a $115 million investment into the County which would make it one of if not the largest project in recent history. During the construction of the facility, an estimated 1,300 construction jobs will be needed for a period of six months. The company estimates that this will result in over $90 million in local spending in the area. Additionally, four to five employees will be needed full time when completed. The project is scheduled to begin in 2018 with completion and on the tax rolls in 2019.
  The current property is assessed as agriculture use. The tax yield is currently minimal given the size of the property - around $2,130 annually. The proposed facility would not place any burden on the county or school system to provide services.
  The Company is requesting approval by the Saluda County Council of a Fee in lieu of taxes Agreement that will pay to the county a flat payment of $150,000 per year for forty years, for a term value of $6,000,000. This would equate to a six percent  assessment and a 66 percent credit for the period. From the $150,000 annual payment, the School District (Lexington 3) would receive approximately $82,243 and Saluda County $67,257.”
  Mark Simmons, principal with Parker Poe Consulting, was present to answer any questions from Council.
  Chairman Don Hancock said the $115 million investment was big, and actions taken by the past and current Councils have made this project possible.
  “Saluda County was an orphan county, meaning we were not affiliated with any other counties or development agencies,” Hancock said.
  The county began to make improvements with the hiring of Parler on a part-time basis, he said. Then a development partnership was formed with such companies as SCE&G, Mid-Carolina Cooperative, Amick Farms and Titan Farms.
  Finally, the county joined in a partnership with Aiken and Edgefield counties.
  Hancock said more development activity could be announced in the next few months.
  Prior to the discussion on the solar farm, Council gave final reading to the budget, and two ordinances allowing the transfer of funds from the reserve account to balance budgets.
  The county budget has expenditures of $12,347,107. Debt service (Piedmont Tech) is $161,903.63.
  Piedmont Technical College appropriations for the fiscal year will be revenues collected from three mills.
  The first ordinance allows funds, not to exceed $350,000, to be taken from the reserve fund to balance the 2016-17 budget.
  The second ordinance allows funds, not to exceed $550,151, to be taken from the reserve fund to balance the 2017-18 budget.
  In the public hearing portion, Jack Atkinson said the county will one day run out of reserve funds. He said most individuals don’t have reserve funds and have to budget what funds they have.
  Atkinson said he appreciated the effort Council put forth in the budget process, and said he would continue to pay his taxes as long as he was able.
  Hancock said the county continues to struggle with unfunded mandates from the state, and the state’s failure to fully fund aid to local governments.
 He said since the state began to cut back funding, Saluda County has lost $1.5 million that had to be made up in the local budget.
  Councilwoman Gwen Shealy said the legislature allegedly put an extra $10 million in aid to local governments in this year’s budget, but she can’t find any evidence of that. In fact, she said Saluda County’s portion is a little less than last year.
  Councilman D.J. Miller said Council should make a goal when the fiscal year begins on  July 1 not to use any reserve funds in next year’s budget.

NEW LEADER -  Donald Hancock, left, accepts gavel from David Sawyer, taking over as Upper Savannah Council of Governments Board of Directors Chairman effective July 1, 2017.

Saluda’s Hancock new chairman

of USCOG Board of Directors

    Saluda County Council Chairman Donald Hancock will take over as chairman of the Upper Savannah Council of Governments (USCOG) Board of Directors for Fiscal Years 2018-2019.
     The Board unanimously nominated Hancock as chairman for the term beginning July 1, 2017.
     David Sawyer, also of Saluda County, who was filling in as interim chairman, “passed the gavel” to Hancock during the Board’s June meeting. Hancock’s first meeting as chairman will be in August 2017.
     USCOG serves the counties of Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick and Saluda with services ranging from grant writing and planning to community development, workforce development, aging and economic development. The COG also serves Newberry County in workforce development.
     USCOG serves as the region’s Area Agency on Aging while overseeing SC Works Centers that help citizens find jobs and employers locate qualified workers.

EMS Recogonized

Saluda County EMS  Recognized
By American Heart Association

  Saluda,SC June 5, 2017 — Saluda County EMS has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Silver Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks.
  A significant number of patients who suffer “heart attacks” don’t receive this prompt appropriate therapy, which is critical in restoring blood flow to damaged heart muscle. Mission: Lifeline seeks to save lives by closing the gaps that separate these patients from timely access to appropriate treatments. Mission: Lifeline’s EMS recognition program recognizes emergency medical services for their efforts in improving systems of care and improving the quality of life for these patients.
  Saluda County EMS began the arduous task of implementing new national recommendations for regimens of care in May of last year. After many improvements and implementing changes in times and treatments, with the help and guidance of Saluda County EMS Medical Control Physician Dr. Bruce Cook , data was gathered after the changes, and sent in to the American Heart Association on Saluda County EMS improvements and efforts. As a result the AHA recognized Saluda County EMS with this award.
  Saluda County EMS Assistant Director James Cole said “our crews have been working hard on implementing these changes and done an excellent job. Because of their efforts we have received this award.”
  he changes implemented by EMS will dramatically improve the quality of life for those that do sustain damage to heart muscle during such an event and will benefit the citizens of Saluda County.

Council Passes School Budget

  Saluda County Council gave third and final reading to the Saluda County School District’s budget Mon., June 12.
  The county’s portion of the budget is $6,645,557.00, minus revenues and credits reflected on the tax receipt from Fee-In-Lieu, Property Tax Relief, Homestead Exemption, Tier 3 Property Tax Relief, and Motor Carrier, for a net amount of $4,312,446.00 from Ad Valorem Taxes.
  The local portion was $4,113,933 at the first reading. The Increase is due to: mandated teacher raises, the hiring of three new teachers to accommodate class sizes with extra enrollment,  and state mandated retirement,  and health insurance increases.

SALUDA THEATER AMONG RECIPIENTS
 $650K Awarded To Tourism
 Projects In South Carolina

  SOUTH CAROLINA - The South Carolina National Heritage Corridor (SCNHC) grant program recently awarded a total of $650 thousand dollars to various tourism projects across the state. The federal grant funds projects specifically for tourism planning, development, revitalization, and conservation.
  According to Carter C. Hudgins, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust, the grant will help improve the overall visitor experience.
  “Assistance from the SC National Heritage Corridor will play a significant role in transforming one of our nation’s most historic sites through the construction of new visitor facilities,” Hudgins noted. “As the most authentic survivor from South Carolina’s colonial past, Drayton Hall plays an invaluable role educating the public about the earliest chapters of our state, and a new visitor center will allow visitors to interact with Drayton Hall’s past in new and innovative ways.”
  The complete 2017 grant recipient list includes the Railroad History Park in Greenwood, Horn’s Creek Church in Edgefield, the Rosenwald School in St. George, Murray Avenue in Anderson, Aiken State Park, Colonial Dorchester State Park in Summerville, The Museum of the Cherokee in Walhalla, Drayton Hall in Charleston, The Saluda Theatre, Ashley River Road in Dorchester County, McLeod Plantation in Charleston, and the Courthouse Pavilion in Saint George.
  Many of the awarded projects aim to increase economic development and quality of life for its citizens as wells as improve tourism, including the Murray Avenue Bridge Project which will include an educational and recreational amenity below the Murray Avenue Bridge in downtown Anderson. 
  “The Murray Avenue Bridge Project is a stimulant to the ongoing vibrancy of downtown.  The SCNHC grant provides a boost to another part of our economic ecosystem and strengthens our position. This puzzle piece that connects Main Street can showcase our City’s walkability, arts and culture, and serve as a continuing magnet for economic growth,” said Mayor Terence Roberts.  
  The South Carolina National Heritage Corridor is one of the largest National Heritage Areas in the country and has awarded over 15 million dollars to tourism projects in South Carolina since the program’s inception in 1996. For more information on the SCNHC visit www.scnhc.org.

Court Cases

Court Clears Fifty Cases

  A two week term of Saluda County General Sessions Court that concluded cleared 50 cases, one of the largest totals in several years.
  There were no jury trials.
  Following are the sentences on guilty pleas.
  Calvin Abney possession of marijuana over one ounce, time served. Denise Elizabeth Avery, possession of meth 1st, 18 months, suspended to time served, 18 months probation.
  Davey Keith Bedenbaugh, assault and battery 2nd,  18 months, suspended to time served, 30 months probation. Ashley Nicole Blackman, financial transaction card fraud less than $500 within six months, Youth Offender Act (YOA) not to exceed one years, suspended to six months probation.
  Curtis Videl Blocker Jr., escape, one year, consecutive with current sentence. Christian Renay Boulware, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, two years, suspended to probation.
  Thomas Boyd Jr., assault and battery 2nd, time served. Kelvin Lamont Brown, failure to stop for pursing law enforcement vehicle, 30 months, suspended to 60 days and 30 months probation.
  Treyon Hykeem Butler, failure to stop for pursing law enforcement vehicle, 30 days. Cameron Wilson Chavis, burglary 2nd violent, YOA not to exceed three years.
  Robert Jason Conyers, burglary 3rd, four years, suspended to time served, 36 months probation. Sammie Raye Corey, unlawful carrying of a handgun, time served.
  Angela Lee Creech, unlawful neglect of a child, 18 months, suspended to time served, 24 months probation. Leobardo Mateo Cristobal, resisting arrest, no assault, 1 year, suspended to time served 106 days.
  Treylor Wayne Cunningham, possession of Schedule IV drug, six months, suspended to time served, 18 months probation. Gustavo Rodriquez Dial, domestic violence first degree, 24 months.
  Stephen Vincent Donlick, possession of Schedule IV drug, six months, suspended to time served, six months probation. Woodrow Wilson Dorn, possession of meth 1st, six months.
  Antonous M. Farrow, possession of cocaine 1st, 12 months, suspended to time served, 18 months probation. Albert Giammatei Jr., assault and battery fist degree, five years. Terry Mark Gibert, possession of meth 1st, time served.
  John Carlyle Goff, ill treatment of animals, time served, 48 months probation. Jeree Crotez Johnson, domestic violence 2nd, one years, suspended to 18 months probation.
  Tyqona Malik Jones, possession of a stolen vehicle $2000-$10,000, YOA not to exceed two years, suspended to time served, 24 months probation. Ahmand Tobaysa Kinard, distribution of crack within proximity of a school, 10 years, upon service of five years, suspended to 0 months probation; distribution of crack, 10 years, upon service of five years, suspended to 30 months probation; possession with intent to distribute crack, 10 years, upon service of five years, suspended to 30 months probation.
  Jamarcus Lambert Lindler, arson 3rd, YOA not to exceed five years, suspended to time served, 30 months probation. Vernon Wylie Mahaffey Jr., assault and battery 2nd, three years, suspended to five years probation.
  Xavier Devon Matheney, burglary 3rd, non-violent, ten years, suspended to time served, 48 months probation. John Cauthern Matthews, grand larceny $2000-$10,000. five years, suspended to 30  days and 36 months probation.
  Johnathan Mason McDaniel, distribution of marijuana, YOA not to exceed five years, shock YOA. Christopher Brandon Meetze, possession of schedule II drug, six months, suspended to 18 months probation.
  Karl Anthony Morgan, swindling, three months, suspended to time served. Dominque Israel Morris, possession with intent to distribute marijuana 2nd, 18 months, suspended to 90 days, 30 months probation.
  Calvin Undray Ouzts, indecent exposure, one year, suspended to 24 month probation. Shanna Anntwanet Padgett, possession of schedule IV drug, six months suspended to  18 months probation.
  Justin Lee Powell, burglary 3rd, one year, suspended to two years probation. Cruise Antoinio Rauch, financial transaction card fraud, one year.
  Danielle  Jordan Reynolds, breaking into a motor vehicle, YOA  not to exceed three years, suspended to time served, 30 months probation. Melanie Gayle Risinger, possession of Schedule IV drug, time served.
  Jessica Nichole Scott, possession of meth, 12 months. Matthew Samuel Smith, YOA not to exceed one years, suspended to one year probation.
  Shaquille Revon Turner, unlawful carrying of a pistol, 12 months, suspended to time served, 24 months probation. Vera Karen Wertz, exploitation of a vulnerable adult, two years, suspended to time served, 30 months probation.
  Michelle West, DUI 1st, 30 days. Joseph Allen Lee Whitten, assault & battery 2nd, 18 months, suspended to time served, 18 months probation.
  Jonah Izaiah Williams, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, 10 years. Larry Terrell Yarbrough, assault and battery 2nd, 18 months.

39th Young Farmer Truck and
Tractor Pull  This Weekend

  Come out this weekend, June 9th and 10‘“, and enjoy the 39th annual Saluda Young Farmer Truck and Tractor pull.
  This year in conjunction with Carolina Pullers,eight  classes will be presented, instead of four. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the show begins at 7.
  For more information, visit the website at Saludayoungfarmer.org.
  Each year the young farmers awards scholarships to students that wish to pursue higher education in agriculture or an ag-related field. Over the years, the Saluda Young Farmers organization has provided 83 scholarships and have helped many other organizations in the community such as Saluda County Recreation program.
  Come out to ”the hottest pull in the south” and show your support for a great cause.
2017 Saluda Young Farmer Scholarship Recipients
  The Saluda Young Farmers are pleased to award seven scholarships for 2017. 
  These students, along with their parents, will be recognized on Friday night, June 9th  at the 39th Annual Truck and Tractor Pull.   This year’s recipients are: Ashley Owens (Clemson University), TJ Price (Florence-Darlington Tech), Megan Corley (Clemson University), Samaria Reed (Piedmont Tech), Alyssa Easler (Emmanuel College), Texanna Miller (Winthrop University).