Dillon County Council Accepts Buyout Of County Administrator’s Contract; Decides On Candidate To Offer Interim Position

By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon County Council accepted a buyout of Dillon County Administrator Clay Young’s contract and approved a motion in a 4-2 vote to offer the position of interim Dillon County Administrator to Rodney Berry.

The Dillon County Council met at high noon on Friday, September 23, to discuss the county administrator’s contract and a right of entry agreement for the Inland Port Dillon.
The council approved an entry agreement at the beginning of the meeting which will basically grant permission for Inland Port personnel to go on the property to do surveying.
The county then went into about a 30-minute executive session to discuss the county administrator’s contract.
Upon returning from executive session, Chairman T.F. “Buzzy” Finklea, Jr., asked County Attorney Alan Berry to state the results of the executive session. Berry said that that the purpose was to discuss the county administrator’s contract and whether the county council would be willing to accept a buyout of that contract. Berry said they discussed the proposal.
Councilman Archie Scott made a motion to allow the county attorney publish the details of the agreement. The second was made by Councilman Robbie Coward.
Berry said that he would review the essential terms. He said that Young desired to terminate his contract with the county and the county council agrees to accept this and to pay him the amount of $26,892.53. This will cover his salary, leave time, and insurance. The county will save $3,800 in FICA and taxes. Young waives the right to a public hearing and releases the county of any further legal liability. Both parties agree to to no negative or disparaging comments about the other party. Young has no further duties or responsibilities to the county except that he will provide limited consulting services at his convenience at no additional charge until December 31, 2016. He is released today and will be paid the amount due him no later than next Friday at 5:00 p.m.
The council made a motion to accept the agreement and give Chairman Finklea the authority to sign the agreement. Motion was made by Scott and seconded by Coward. All voted in favor. Councilman Randy Goings was not present at the meeting.
Berry said that since this was an emergency situation because they must have a county administrator that they needed to vote to amend the agenda to vote on an interim county administrator.
Bobby Moody asked if they could make Finance Director Richard Gaddy the interim county administrator and deal with this next week. Berry said it was whatever the council desired. There was brief discussion by other council members.
Councilman Stevie Grice then made a motion to offer the position to Rodney Berry. Berry currently handles economic development for Congressman Tom Rice. This motion was seconded by Scott. It passed in a 4-2 vote with Councilmen Grice, Coward, Scott, and Bobby Moody voting in favor and Chairman Finklea and Councilman Harold Moody voting against the motion.
Dillon County loses a seasoned county administrator in Clay Young. Young has over 25 years of experience having served as county administrator for the counties of Dillon, Hampton, and Kershaw, and as city manager of the cities of Hanahan and Chester. He has served as the finance director for the counties of Chester and Lancaster and worked for the low country Council of Governments as Economic Development Coordinator. He has also worked as an adjunct instructor for Limestone College, Coker College, and other colleges in the state for more than 15 years. Young has numerous professional affiliations. Young was an instrumental player in the expansion of Harbor Freight Tools and in bringing Wyman-Gordon and the Inland Port and also, other projects on the horizon. Earlier this year, Young was named the Dillon County Citizen of the Year.
The Herald has contacted Rodney Berry to determine if he plans to accept the position and for further comment.

First Meeting: Sept. 23, Called Meeting, 12:00 noon
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Second Meeting: Sept. 23, 4:00 p.m., Emergency Meeting to Appoint A Temporary Interim Administrator for Dillon County
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