County advances $4 million bond plan
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
With a quickness, Darlington County Council sped through their Aug. 12 regular meeting agenda and advanced an ordinance designed to free up $4 million in borrowing power for county projects.
Ordinance 19-17 passed second reading and public hearing (with no public comment). If this measure clears third and final reading, it would authorize the county to issue up to $4.2 million as a general obligation bond. This money would pay for a variety of facility and building needs, ranging from the purchase of new property to replacing old furnishings and equipment across multiple county departments.
The ordinance names some specific needs, including new vehicles for Roads and Bridges and Environmental Services, and new ambulances for Emergency Services.
The money would also cover needed infrastructure upgrades at the county’s industrial parks.
Another bond measure also cleared second reading. Ordinance 19-18 would authorize borrowing up to $4.1 million for building and equipment needs of the Darlington County Fire District.
Neither bond measure would incur any new millage for debt service, since the county moved in June to pay off bonds for the Fire District and county general fund early.
In other agenda items, Council approved the purchase of new drive-on truck scales for the landfill transfer station. The 135-ton capacity scales will cost $83,091 and will be provided by Pee Dee Scale Co. The purchase price includes installation.
Council also okayed the purchase of two permanent stand-by generators for Fire Station 8 (West Old Camden Road) and Fire Station 12 (Byrdtown Road) for the price of $63,231. The bid was awarded to Kelly’s Electrical Services of McBee.
Also, Council approved disbursing $61,477 in Darlington County Transportation Committee funds to pave Bruce Street, Bracey Avenue, Lide Street and Nicole Circle.
The work will be completed by C.R. Jackson Inc. of Darlington County.
