COUNCIL BUSINESS: Council gave final approval to close and convey ownership of two alleyways on the northern side of Dingle Street, between South Sumter Street and South Main Streets. These two alleyways are no longer needed for public use and do not negatively affect the community or surrounding properties and will now become part of the Job’s Mortuary property. Council held two public hearings...
COUNCIL BUSINESS: Council gave final approval to amend our city procurement ordinance. This amendment was really about modernization of our codes and bringing them up to current practices. There were no expenditures necessary for this vote, it was just a paperwork change more than anything. Every year in December, Council recognizes significant anniversary’s with employees. This December we...
City Council held a public hearing to learn more about how residents think the next fiscal year Community Development Block Grant funding should be spent. This funding is made available from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and can be used for range of activities such as housing rehabilitation, code enforcement, acquisition of real property, demolition, infrastructure and public...
New Historic Preservation Design Review Guidelines have been approved. The guidelines are a result of a nine-month public process to help more clearly define the guidelines for both the Hampton Park and Downtown historic districts. The plan does reinforce the City’s commitment to historic preservation. There were no major changes, only more user friendly and information descriptions, including...
The thoughts and prayers of everyone in Sumter go out to the people of southeast Texas struck by Hurricane Harvey. I have expressed the support of our community to Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston, Mayor C.J. Wax of Rockport, Mayor Jim Yarbrough of Galveston, Mayor Paul Polasek of Victoria, and Mayor Joe McComb of Corpus Christi and have offered them our help. The disaster is ongoing in Texas, so...
The City has a new p olice training range and back-up 911 center going in at our public works facility down on the Pocataligo, off 521 South. This facility will allow our police officers to experience enhanced training to continue their professional development. The City is purchasing a new dryer system for our wastewater facility. This new dryer system will replace an old antiquated system and...
COUNCIL BUSINESS: City Council approved a contract to purchase emergency 9-1-1 console stations for the new Police Department Telecommunications Center. The center, which is housed in the City of Sumter Police Department answers all 9-1-1 calls for City, County, EMS and after-hours public service requests. City Council approved the annexation of 4.83 acres of land into the City, located at 2600...
The next fiscal year budget has been approved with the City’s annual budget balanced at just over $67.2 million dollars. Some of the most significant expenditures are: One third or $20.3 million goes toward public safety services, including Police, Fire, EMS, municipal court, inspections and enforcement; One third or $22.5 million goes to water, sewer and stormwater services; and The other third...
It’s budget season and Council has been hosting workshops in conjunction with our regular meetings as well as held a hearing last night to hear requests from the public. Staff along with Council is working hard to complete a balanced budget by June for our upcoming fiscal year. Currently we are looking at approximate expenditures for the year totaling just over $65 million dollars. Council also...
Water Meter Replacement Project -- The City of Sumter has begun a two-year process of replacing customers water meters, community-wide (started in April 2017). The City has contracted with Siemens, a company with water meter replacement projects all across the United States, to replace all existing water meters. If you have questions about the Water Meter Replacement Project, please call 803.774...