By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon County Council took up several matters at their meeting on Wednesday.
Bishop Eugene Campbell appeared before the council because he wants to start a Boys and Girls Youth Center. He said this would not be connected with the Boys and Girls of America. Campbell said he needed to the council’s support. Campbell said he was asking for a letter of support and would come back later with a dollar figure.
Johnnie Luehrs of the Dillon County Chamber of Commerce said that the whole county would be included. She said Campbell anticipates that the budget will be $150,000, and they will also be seeking private donations. Luehrs said they were working on the 501(3)c status.
Campbell said he needed the council’s support in writing and that he would come back when he has things finalized.
Councilman Randy Goings reminded Campbell that they were in the process of doing the budget and if he came back in July or August, there may not be funds available.
Soil and Water Board Chairman Neal Rogers and District Clerk Angela Baker made a presentation about the Soil and Water Conservation District. The council provides funds for the district clerk position.
The clerk supports the board of commissioners composed for Rogers, Carl Coleman-Secretary/Treasurer, Keith Allen, Alan Gaddy, Bruce “Sonny” Price-Associate, and Mendel “Bud” Smith-Associate.
The clerk also works closely with educational programs for the local schools. One thing they are doing is EnviroScape, which is an interactive model that helps students learns about conservation. She has been helping Dillon Middle School with their “Go Green” initiatives. Educational contests include the essay contest, Outstanding Student Award, and Poster Contest. On Arbor Day, over 500 seedlings were distributed to fourth graders. They also sponsor a local student to attend a youth workshop in June at Lander University.
The clerk helps the Chamber with the Farm-City Week events, present a Conservation Farmer of the Year award, print a monthly news article in The Dillon Herald, and send out a quarterly newsletter to leaders and businesses.
The clerk supports the office personnel administratively and serves as a liaison between the state and local offices and farmers.
It was noted that “in the last five years, there has been over $5 million brought into Dillon County  through NRCS program to address conservation needs on more than 54,000 acres. If the clerk’s position was not funded, there would be an approximately 30 percent decrease in funding of these programs. That would be a decrease of $1.5 million.” They plan to make a semi-annual report to council.
County Administrator Clay Young said this position was still in the proposed budget.
The council accepted a $25,000 matching grant from NESA and approved the $25,000 match.
The grant will be used for the following:
—Certification of the Jeff Price site and site readiness application fee-Estimated cost $42,000
—On-Site Water Infrastructure on Industrial Park Drive (3” meter, backflow preventer, and associated materials-Estimated cost $7,000
—Repair of the roll-up doors at the Heritage Building in Lake View-Estimated cost $1,000
—Install awnings at the Mohawk Building-Estimated Cost: $10,000
County Administrator Clay Young presented the finance report. He said most departments are in line and moving in the right direction.
The building committee will meet soon to discuss the Bingham Fire Department. The council had approved a 2,400 sq. ft. building. This would cost approximately $150,000-$175,000. Now there are some in this community who would a 4,800 sq. ft. building. This would cost approximately $220,000-$240,000. The committee will make a recommendation of the size of building to council.
In other action, the council:
—will have County Attorney Ken Dubose look further into the Miller-Wiggins Cemetery abandoned cemetery proposal.
—tabled. upon a motion by Councilman Andrew Graves and a second by Councilman Harold Moody, an independent audit to detect fraud.
—tabled the second reading of an ordinance authorizing the execution of an agreement and contract by and between Dillon County and Marlboro Development Team, Inc. providing for construction of an industrial (spec) building. Chairman Archie Scott asked that this be tabled because he said it needed to be under further review. Voting to table the reading were Scott, Councilman Randy Goings, Councilman Andrew Graves, and Councilman Bobby Moody. Voting against the motion to table it were Councilman Joe Johnson, Councilman Buzzy Finklea, and Councilman Harold Moody. Bill Fleming of Marlboro Electric told council that Marlboro Electric needed a written response on their intentions for this project within 30 days or they were pulling it.
—approved the bid of First Citizens Bank at .85 percent for a $1,500,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2013.
—approved the second reading of an ordinance to provide for the 2013-2014 Fiscal Year Budget as amended.
—approved the second reading of Ordinance Distributing Payment of Fees in Lieu of Ad Valorem Property Taxes Received by Dillon County for Park Premises Located in Dillon County Multi-county Industrial and Business Parks. It was explained that this will help recoup funds spend on economic development projects.
—appointed Lorrie Hayhurst, an employee of Harbor Freight, for the Workforce Investment Board.