July 2017 Council

Council Gives Second Reading
To Solar Farm Ordinance

  
At Monday’s July meeting County Council gave second reading to an ordinance that will allow a large solar farm to pay a fee in lieu of ad valorem taxes.
  The Beulah Project will be a solar farm encompassing 650-acres in the Beulah Road area of the county, near Batesburg-Leesville.
  County Economic Development Director Ed Parler said the $115 million investment will be the largest made in the county in recent history.
  Construction will employ 1300 workers over the course of six months. It is estimated the construction period will pump an additional $90 million into the economy. Once completed the site will employ five to six full-time workers.
  Parler said the project will pay Saluda County a flat fee of $150,000 per year for the next 40 years, under the terms of the ordinance. He said the exact location will be revealed at the third reading of the ordinance.
  Council approved awarding an RFP to Condrey and Associates from Athens, Ga., to conduct a classification and compensation study for county employees. The cost will be $29,000.
  Council Vice-Chairman Gwen Shealy, who presided at the meeting in the absence of Chairman Don Hancock, said the county has not had an employee study done since 1990. The study will involve Saluda County and employees in developing a new personnel system.
  The County Ag Building and Annex will get new roofs.
  The Ag Building will be a standing seam metal roof with new gutters. The $76,790 cost will include a five year contractor warranty and 40 year manufacturer’s warranty.
  The Annex building will be get am EDPM roof with new gutters and downspouts. Included is a five year contractor warranty and 20 year membrane warranty.
  Lamar Lake of the Saluda County Historical Society asked the county’s helping in meeting a $45,000 match for a $45,000 grant from the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor.
  Lake said the Heritage Corridor funds and match will complete with renovation of the Saluda Theater that began in the late 1980’s.
  A concern of the Historical Society has been the rain damaged acoustical tiles inside the theater. Repairs have never been attempted for fear the outstanding acoustics would damaged.
  Lake said a paint now exists that will not only cover the stains, but will improve the acoustics.
  “Now, the Theater can look like it did in 1936 when it opened,” Lake said.
  Other plans include repairs of the seats, refinishing the stage, cleaning the floors, and renovating the restrooms.
  Mrs. Shealy recommended Council take Lake’s request as information, and schedule a work session with the Historical Society as quickly as possible
  She said the county had certain policies when it comes to grants, and many grants have caveats that need to be studied.
  Council approved Jack Atkinson’s request for the county to approve Enabling Technologies Associates being able to purchase from State Surplus.
  The non-profit company, which builds equipment to help the handicapped,  has been purchasing from state surplus for some time. The last approval was granted by former Chairman Hardee Horne, and Atkinson said state surplus wanted an up-to-date approval.
  He said Enabletech is far down in the pecking order to buy from state surplus, coming behind government and schools, etc.
  Atkinson said after a year non-profits are allowed to sell items purchased from the surplus. These funds go back into the non-profit, which provides equipment at no cost to the handicapped recipients.
  The re-appointment of Gerry Spragg to the Airport Commission was approved. Also approved was the appoint of Ted Hite of the Circle VFD to the Fire Board, and Donnie Black as the alternate.

Saluda County Schools Plans
for the Total Solar Eclipse

  On August 21, 2017, America will fall under the path of a total solar eclipse. During the eclipse, the sun will disappear behind the moon, which will turn daylight into twilight, cause the temperature to drop rapidly, and reveal massive streamers of light streaking through the sky around the silhouette of the moon.  
  The Great American Total Solar Eclipse will darken skies all the way from Oregon to South Carolina, along a stretch of land about 70 miles wide. This will be the first total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. in 38 years. Saluda has been noted to be an excellent view point of the eclipse on August 21, 2017 that will occur around 2:30 p.m.
  Saluda County Schools will be in session for half a day on August 21st.  We will have early dismissal on this day in order for students to arrive home safely and have the opportunity to view the eclipse with their families.  Early dismissal will be 11:30 a.m. for Saluda Primary, Saluda Elementary, and Hollywood Elementary.  Saluda Middle School and Saluda High School will dismiss at 12:00. 
  It is the District’s desire to ensure that all our students and faculty are protected during the eclipse.  Please keep in mind that looking directly at the sun, even when it is partially covered by the moon, could cause eye damage.  It is suggested to never look at a partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection.
 

Juniper

Ridge Spring’s Juniper Chef in New York City

Jeanne & Brandon Velie, pictured second and third from the right,  of Juniper Restaraunt in Ridge Spring recently visited the James Beard House in New York City, where Chef Brandon prepared the meal, which featured locally produced products, including those by Rawl Farm, Watsonia, The Nuthouse, Yon Farms, Titan Farms, and Adluh. The five course meal featured shrimp, striped bass, beef, rice, vegetables, pecans, peaches, etc. Saturday “Today” host Craig Melvin, a Columbia native, pictured right, posted these pictures. Also attending, were former S.C. Governor now U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and her husband.

Local Teen Headed to
National Competition

  Saluda County resident Laney Edwards was crowned National American Miss South Carolina on June 25.
  State queens in the Miss division are chosen by a national selection committee who scores each applicant’s application and résumé, essay, photo, and interview. As a state NAM queen, Laney will travel with her five SC sister queens to California this November to represent our state at the week-long National American Miss Pageant to be held in Anaheim, just steps away from Disneyland.
   At the national pageant, delegates in each age division will compete in Onstage Personal Introduction, Interview, and Formal Wear, and their community service work and résumés will factor into their overall score as well. The winner in each age division will receive a $5000 cash scholarship, and one lucky young lady out of the hundreds of contestants will win the ultimate door prize— a brand new Ford Mustang. NAM is dedicated to developing the success of young women across the nation with a program that is designed to be age-appropriate and family-oriented. National American Miss is for “Today’s Girl and Tomorrow’s Leaders”. Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self-confidence, learning new skills and good attitudes about competition, and setting and achieving personal goals. 
  Laney is the 19-year-old daughter of Thomas and Aly Edwards of Batesburg and a 2016 Top 10 graduate of Saluda High School. She is a sophomore at Clemson University, where she is studying Recreational Therapy and is a member of Central Spirit and Gamma Sigma Sigma sorority.  She is looking forward to representing Saluda County and the great state of South Carolina on the national stage.
  Laney is actively seeking sponsors to help offset her substantial competition and travel costs. If you would like to support Laney’s journey to NAM Nationals with a sponsorship, please send an E-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can keep up with Laney’s journey to Nationals by liking her Facebook page (2017 National American Miss South Carolina) and by following her on Instagram (@namisssc).
  For more information about the National American Miss program, go to www.namiss.com.

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.