County Council approves bond, hears Solar concerns
Darlington County Council Chairman Bobby Hudson (right) presents the proclamation to Dedicated Community Bank President James M. “Jim” Ivey Jr., honoring DCB’s 40 years in service to the community. PHOTO BY STEPHAN DREW
By Stephan Drew, Editor
The Darlington County Council met Monday, March 2, conducting a public hearing on a proposed bond ordinance, recognizing community organizations, and hearing extensive citizen comments regarding the expansion of solar farms across the county.
During the meeting, council held a public hearing for Ordinance 25-26, which provides for the issuance and sale of a General Obligation Bond not to exceed $3 million. The funds will be used for the acquisition, construction, furnishing, and equipping of repairs, renovations, and expansions to various county facilities. The ordinance also allows for the purchase of developed and undeveloped real property for economic development purposes.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing, and the ordinance was later approved by council during the meeting.
Council also adopted Resolution 809, proclaiming March as American Red Cross Month, recognizing the work of the American Red Cross in providing disaster relief and emergency assistance.
Resolution 810 was approved to support improvements to the wastewater treatment plant in the Town of Lamar. Council also read Resolution 811, honoring Dedicated Community Bank for four decades of service to residents and businesses throughout the Pee Dee region.
A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to citizen comments, many focused on concerns about solar farm development in the county.
During the citizen comment period, Audrey Childers, Director of Communications for the Darlington County School District, announced a series of upcoming community listening sessions related to the district’s 2024 Facilities Study. The sessions are intended to gather public input regarding aging school facilities and potential new construction.
Childers noted that some schools in the district are more than 75 years old and in urgent need of repairs or replacement.
The scheduled listening sessions include:
March 10, 6 p.m. – Lamar-Spaulding Elementary School in Lamar
March 17, 6 p.m. – Black Creek Elementary School in Darlington
March 19, 6 p.m. – Hartsville High School in Hartsville
Several residents also addressed the council regarding solar farm development.
Darlington County resident Barbara Arthur expressed frustration with what she described as a lack of responsiveness from council leaders regarding community concerns about solar projects.
“You’re not listening to us,” Arthur told council members. “Who are you listening to?”
Evelyn Hopson, representing the Darlington County Concerned Citizens group, also spoke in opposition to solar development. Hopson referenced a $350 million solar investment in the area and questioned what benefits the community has seen as a result.
“Do we have better schools? Better air or water quality? A better standard of living?” Hopson asked.
She also displayed a photograph showing flooding in a relative’s yard and warned that installing solar panels nearby could lead to toxic runoff following major storms.
Resident Belinda Valle addressed council regarding IP Solar and an upcoming public hearing related to solar projects. Valle stated she intends to closely monitor the process to ensure all ordinances and regulations are properly followed and reminded council members of what she described as their legal and moral responsibilities to the community.
Brad Knight, also with the Darlington County Concerned Citizens group, raised concerns about how solar projects have been approved in the past. Knight alleged that certain procedural requirements were not properly followed and suggested that some decisions may have been made behind closed doors during executive sessions rather than discussed publicly.
Richard Puffer gave a presentation on the work of the American Red Cross, outlining the organization’s long history of disaster response and community support.
Puffer shared a recent example in which the Red Cross assisted a local veteran whose mobile home was destroyed by fire, noting that the organization provided aid when the individual had no other resources available.
He also reported that approximately 16,000 units of blood were donated in Darlington County and encouraged residents to continue supporting the Red Cross through blood drives and financial contributions.
Brandon J. Fields addressed the council about taxation and economic equity in Darlington County. Fields cited concerns about low SAT scores and graduation rates and said that if residents are asked to contribute more through taxes, they should also expect higher levels of service and transparency from local government.
Fields also criticized the county’s website, saying it often contains incomplete information and lacks detailed reports.
While acknowledging that the website meets legal and state reporting requirements, Fields said improvements could still be made.
“We can do more,” he said, urging the county to provide clearer and more comprehensive information to the public.
Councilmember Angie Godbold asked if council could consider adopting a temporary moratorium on future solar farm projects until the issue can be more thoroughly studied and discussed with the public.
The attorney present explained that such a moratorium is possible but, would require passage of a formal ordinance by council. The attorney also noted that any moratorium must be limited in duration and specify its purpose, and it could not affect projects already approved or currently under review.
County Administrator Charles Stewart reported that approximately 12,000 acres in Darlington County are currently being used for solar farms.
Councilmember Le Flowers thanked Belinda Valle for her efforts and praised her work in researching legal issues related to the projects.
Councilmember David Coker asked whether future solar projects would be governed by existing ordinances or any new regulations that might be adopted. The county attorney confirmed that new ordinances would apply to projects approved after those regulations take effect.
In other business, council appointed Samuel Evans to serve on the county’s Planning Commission.
The next meeting of the Darlington County Council is scheduled for April 6.