January 2024 Council Highlights

  • We are less than a week away from our first-ever free residential Curbside Junk Removal service. From January 22nd through the 26th we’ve contracted with a vendor to pick up large, unwanted items. All city residential roll-cart customers may participate. All you need to do is place items that you wish to dispose of on the curb by Sunday, January 21st. This initiative provides an opportunity for residents to dispose of items that are too large or bulky for regular trash collection. Residents can place items such as furniture, appliances, mattresses, and other household items at the curb during this initiative. Hazardous materials, such as oils, gasoline, car batteries, paints, and pesticides are not allowed during this cleanup. For full details and guidelines on how to separate your junk into piles visit KeepSumterClean.com.
  • City Council recognized several people and organizations at our January meeting for their efforts in helping to eliminate litter in our community. First, we recognized those volunteers who helped us succeed in our litter goals in 2023, starting with the Palmetto Optimist Club, which picked up more litter than any other group last year. Then the Rotary Club of Sumter who had the most volunteers clean up last year and Candida Dixon and Ms. Sandra Ruff, who went above and beyond by not only participating in all of our 2023 community clean up days but both hosted additional clean up days on their own in and around their neighborhood throughout the year.
  • Following the 2023 awards we recognized three students for their spectacular artwork in assisting us with the 2024 Litter Community Clean Up Poster. Top prizes when to:
    • Aaron Duncan, 3rd grade at Liberty STEAM Charter School,
    • Amera Jefferson, 6th grade at Furman Middle School, and
    • Benjamin Morrow, 12th grade at Sumter High School.
    • Congratulations to these talented artists and thank you to our partners with the clean-up program, Palmetto Pride and the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce.
  • The scheduled 2024 Community Clean-Up dates are:
    • Saturday, February 17th
    • Saturday, April 20th
    • Saturday, June 15th
    • Saturday, August 17th
    • Saturday, October 19th
    • Saturday, December 14th
  • Groups may choose the days listed or any day of the month that suits their schedule to help clean up. Contact our litter office and our staff will get you trash bags, gloves, and pick-up sticks as needed. 803-305-5266 or online at sumtersc.gov/litter.
  • CSX Transportation has notified the City that they will have a surfacing team starting in Sumter starting January 29, 2024 for a minimum of two weeks. This will require a total closure of the railroad crossings. A total closure means no traffic will be allowed across the track until the work is complete. This will necessitate rerouting traffic throughout the City and County. Signage will be in place marking detour routes. Please note that any/all dates are subject to change due to weather and/or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists should anticipate extended travel times and delays. Please avoid these closure areas if possible.
  • On Jan 29ththe below crossings are scheduled for closure:
    • Harvin St
    • Lafayette Rd
    • Cedar Ave
    • Red Bay Rd
    • Mooneyham Rd
    • Matthew Church Rd
    • Race Track Rd
  • These crossings are scheduled to close on Jan 30th:
    • Mims Rd
    • Britton Rd
    • Mulberry Church Rd
    • Wood Rack Rd
    • Tram Rd
    • Boots Branch Rd
  • To better assist with emergency response, CSX will have Lafayette completed and opened before closing Fulton Rd., Mulberry Church will close once Mims, Britton or Wood Rack Rd. are open, and the same with Tram and Boots Branch Rd. – these will not be closed at the same time.
  • View a Google map of the crossings that are part of this CSX on our website at sumtersc.gov/news.
  • Join us for two upcoming events at the Sumter Opera House which are once in a lifetime:
    • The United States Air Force Heritage of America Band, January 27th at 7:30 PM. This is a free concert, but reserved seating is strongly encouraged through the Opera House’s website.
      • For over seventy-five years, the band has represented the Air Force with musical and military distinction. Members bring music to the mid-Atlantic in live concerts and to the nation in televised events such as "The Today Show" and the DESERT STORM National Victory Parade, as well as presidential inaugural events. The Heritage of America Band has performed ceremonies for U.S. presidents and foreign heads of state, including the Queen of England and the President of France.
    • Southern Songwriters with Patrick Davis, Thursday, February 8th at 7:30 PM.
      • Patrick Davis has a tremendous career as a singer and songwriter, having written songs recorded by artists such as Jimmy Buffett, Lady A, Jewel, Darius Rucker, and many more. The Sumter show will also feature artists Charles Kelley, Gabe Dixon, and Maggie Rose and will be a live TV taping with South Carolina ETV. Tickets are $50 for general admission or $75 for a VIP pass.
    • Tickets to all Sumter Opera House shows are available online at SumterOperaHouse.com.
  • Did you know that the City of Sumter has email and text updates? We send regular updates about city services directly to you. Anyone can sign up today to receive email or text updates, whichever is your preference, on our website at sumtersc.gov/news.
  • City Council will not hold a meeting on the first Tuesday of February. This is a time when all City Council and staff attend a state meeting in Columbia to learn about legislative initiatives and updates.
  • We will only have one regular City Council meeting in February Tuesday, February 20th at 5:30 PM. If you can’t make a meeting public comments may also be submitted online anytime through our website at sumtersc.gov/council/meetings or city residents can contact the Mayor or their Council representative any time before any meeting to discuss a concern or idea.