By Stan Welch
Recent and persistent reports in the local daily newspaper that the County’s lawsuit against Joey Preston has cost $2.8 million have been questioned by members of the Council, who argue that the amount is the total for all litigation during the five years since Preston received his severance package.
By Stan Welch
Following a mixed bag of public comments and an extended executive session to receive legal advice, the Anderson County Council voted Thursday (May 9) to “split the baby” represented by the question of whether to appeal a recent unfavorable court ruling in the County’s suit against former administrator Joey Preston.
Faced with the decision of whether to appeal or accept the ruling, which would allow Preston to retain the $1.2 million severance package he was awarded in 2008, as well as awarding Preston several hundred thousand dollars in legal fees, Council found a middle ground; or at least some breathing room.
Following an hour long executive session, the Council voted to authorize the attorneys to file the motion to reconsider, thereby preserving the County’s legal position. They also voted to instruct the County’s attorney to begin exploring possible settlement terms with Preston’s attorneys as well.
By Stan Welch
In a decision handed down Friday by Judge Couch of Spartanburg, former Anderson County Administrator Joey Preston prevailed completely in the case of Anderson County’s lawsuit to rescind the $1 million severance package he received in 2008.
On Friday, Judge Couch identified four council members, Ron Wilson, Michael Thompson, Cindy Wilson and Robert Waldrep as having improperly cast votes concerning the severance package.
By Stan Welch
The Anderson County Council Finance Committee, chaired by District Five Councilman Tommy Dunn, voted Tuesday afternoon to recommend approval of the concept of building a commercial building on speculation. The recommendation, which encourages the concept but does not promote any particular site, will be presented to the full council at their next meeting. There are two sites under consideration.
By Stan Welch
District Two Councilwoman Gracie Floyd pleaded with and challenged her fellow Council members to find the funds necessary to give the county’s approximately 900 employees a raise in the upcoming budget. During a block of time set aside especially for her on the agenda, Floyd raised the issue of employee raises, saying that it has been three years since they had gotten one.
Anderson County Council
By Stan Welch
Following a special called meeting of the Anderson County Council Monday, District Two Councilwoman Gracie Floyd was challenged by a reporter for The Journal when she sought to unofficially amend the agenda to accommodate a private meeting with two other members of the Council as well as the County Attorney.
The special called meeting, held at the Civic Center just prior to an announcement of a major economic development by Governor Nikki Haley, was to give second reading approval of a set of incentives designed to attract even more jobs to the county.
County Councilman Tommy Dunn will hold a Town Hall Meeting at 6:30 pm, Monday, April 22 at the Centerville Fire Department, 109 Sullivan Rd., Anderson.
The public is encouraged to attend and participate in setting goals for the future of Anderson County Council District 5!
Business will create 146 jobs
By Stan Welch
Economic development dominated the agenda of the Anderson County Council Tuesday night. The Council, with District Six Councilman Ken Waters absent, gave first reading approval to an ordinance authorizing a fee in lieu of taxes (FILOT) agreement with an entity known at this time as Project EMB.
Economic Development Director Burriss Nelson told the Council that the company involved is a forty year old family owned business. The original capital investment will be $2.5 million, with an eventual investment of nearly $6 million.
By Stan Welch
A bare quorum of the Anderson County Council met in a special called meeting Tuesday, to give second reading approval to a tax incentive package designed to attract a metal works enterprise to locate here. Known as Project Mustang, the company is expected to create 250 jobs initially, at an average wage of $17.50 an hour.
By Stan Welch
Reassessment of property is always a contentious issue; a fact that was proved once again at Tuesday’s County Council meeting. County Assessor Mike Freeman reported to the Council that the reassessment of the property in the county, totaling more than one hundred fifteen thousand parcels, would be completed in time for the mailing out of the tax notices later this year.
