By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon County Council took up several matters at their January 28th regular meeting.

Public Hearings
Public hearings were scheduled on the following ordinances:
-Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 13-06 Enacted on November 20, 2013, Which Authorized the Issuance and Sale of Not Exceeding $2,500,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2014 and Not Exceeding $1,300,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2015, of Dillon County, South Carolina; Increasing the Principal Amount of Series 2015 Bonds to Not Exceeding $1,500,000; and Other Matters Relating Thereto
-Ordinance to Amend the Agreement for the Development of a Joint Industrial and Business Park Dated May 27, 2009 by and Between Marion and Dillon Counties so as to Enlarge the Park (So-Pak-Co)
No one signed up to speak at either of the public hearings.

Soil And Water Conservation District Report
Angela Baker of the Dillon Soil and Water Conservation District presented an update to council. She gave the council a copy of their semi-annual newsletter which details their activities for the past six months.
The Dillon Soil and Water Conservation District was formed in 1941. The Board of Commissioners is composed of Keith Allen, Neal Rogers, Carl Coleman, Sonny Price, and Alan Gaddy.
The commission is involved in the community. They give educational programs at the schools. The primary focus of last year’s programs was soil health. They also have an essay contest and present awards.
The commission participates in Arbor Day. All fourth graders get a seedling.
The commission has been conducting soil health workshops. Ray Archuletta, a nationally known conservationist, has made presentations in Dillon. They have two grants underway in Dillon County. Baker and Carl Coleman have been asked to speak at the state conference.
The office brought in $826,000 into Dillon County. In 2015, they are already set to break that record.
Baker and District Conservationist Roger Cooper are in the NRCS office, located on Commerce Drive, Dillon.

Justice Center
The council heard about changeorders at the Justice Center. Mike Naylor from SLED said with the building being metal there were problems getting a signal for the radios and cellular telephones. This will require a tower that could cost $40,000-$70,000.
After hearing from Naylor, the council went into executive session.
The following changeorders were requested:
-Change Order 018—Bollards for Fire Hydrants: Bollards for Fire Hydrants per City of Dillon Code Enforcement. Architectural drawings did not include. $2,150.32
-Change Order 019—Tower for Radios per SLED: This includes the Radio Tower installation, A/C unit for Radio Room, and Fence that will encompass the Tower and A/C unit. $52,236.39
-Change Order 020—Milwork Leg for Courtroom: The outlet for the Court Personnel is located in an area that Court Personnel could easily run over it with their chairs. This will eliminate disconnecting the electrical/computer connections in the main courtroom at the Clerk of Court and Court Reporter’s area. $567.37
-Change Order 022—Occupancy Interior Signs: Occupancy Interior Signs required by the City of Dillon Code Enforcement and Fire Marshall. Architectural drawings did not include. $895.47
-TOTAL for Change Orders 018, 020, and 022: $55,849.55
Add a generator-backed receptacle in the Vault (136A) for a refrigerator. Locate on the opposite side of the door from the existing outlet. Exposed conduit on interior of the vault is acceptable. Amount: $2,312.79.

Resolution
The council approved the following resolution:
RESOLUTION B
RECOGNIZING THE HOPE FOR A HEALTHIER NATION HEALTH
DISPARITIES
CONFERENCE
WHEREAS, the Hope for a Healthier Nation Health Disparities Conference will be recognized on February 28, 2015 to bring awareness of continued health disparities in our communities; and
WHEREAS, the Hope for a Healthier Nation Health Disparities Conference will bring together the leaders in that field to a conference to share their experience; and
WHEREAS, we as a community should spend our time and resources seeking and implementing a solution to this problem; and
WHEREAS, the Hope for a Healthier Nation Health Disparities Conference was developed and planned by Dr. Carolyn Covington, Manning Baptist Church Health Ministry, and The Community Advisory Board; and
WHEREAS, Dillon County Council wishes to express its appreciation for the organization of the Hope for a Healthier Nation Health Disparities Conference.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by Dillon County Council that Dillon County expresses its support of the Hope for a Healthier Nation Health Disparities Conference.
RESOLVED by Dillon County Council

Ordinances
The third reading of the following ordinances passed:
-Third Reading – Ordinance to Amend the Agreement for the Development of a Joint Industrial and Business Park Dated May 27, 2009 by and Between Marion and Dillon Counties so as to Enlarge the Park (So-Pak-Co)
-Third Reading – Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 13-06 Enacted on November 20, 2013, Which Authorized the Issuance and Sale of Not Exceeding $2,500,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2014 and Not Exceeding $1,300,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2015, of Dillon County, South Carolina; Increasing the Principal Amount of Series 2015 Bonds to Not Exceeding $1,500,000; and Other Matters Relating Thereto

Appointments
The following appointments were made to the Dillon County Public-Private Partnership Board:
-Council District 3 – Charles Taylor
-Council District 5 – Haywood Proctor
-Council District 6 – Robert Abson
-Council District 7 – Keith Allen
-Chairman’s Appointment – A. LaFon LeGette, Jr.

Committees
The committee assignments were given. The following committee assignments were made:
ADMINISTRATION- (Finance/Grants/Purchasing/Economic Development/Voter Registration/Clerk of Court/Probate Judge/ Auditor/Treasurer)—T.F. Finklea (Chairman), Harold Moody, Bobby Moody
PUBLIC WORKS- (Solid Waste/Roads)—Harold Moody (Chairman), Bobby Moody, Robbie Coward
PLANNING- (Zoning/Code Enforcement)—Randy Goings (Chairman), Robbie Coward, Stevie Grice
BUILDING- (Courthouse/ Library/Gibson Bldg/Detention Center/All Building/Airport)—Randy Goings (Chairman), Archie Scott, T.F. Finklea
PUBLIC SAFETY— (Fire/ Sheriff/Civil Defense/ Detention Center/ Magistrates/EMS/911/ Animal Control/ Public  Defender/ Coroner)—Archie Scott (Chairman), T.F. Finklea, Randy Goings
RECREATION—Stevie Grice (Chairman), Randy Goings, Bobby Moody
Dillon County Council Chairman T.F. “Buzzy” Finklea, Jr. said that he wanted more transparency. He said he wanted all committees to meet and asked that the chairman of each committee schedule a meeting.
He said if controversial issues come up and a full council workshop is needed, he will call one so nothing will catch anyone by surprise. He said he wants everyone working together.

Other Action
In other action, the council:
-approved a digital aerial photography proposal from Kucera International, Inc.
-approved the following recreation requests:
-$50 from Councilman Archie Scott’s account to Alpha Pi Chi Sorority Prince Charming/Cinderella Pageant.
-$100 from Councilman Harold Moody’s account to the American Cancer Society.

NOTE: This meeting can be viewed on www.thedillonherald .com and can be found under the category, “Government News.”