June 2020 Council Highlights

  • Council approved Resolution No. 798, which adopted the Santee-Lynches Regional Hazardous Mitigation Plan for 2020-2025. This plan was crafted in coordination with other counties and helps to reduce the potential for damage in the event a disaster occurs.
  • Council approved the extension of a previously approved Emergency Ordinance that allows City Council to meet virtually. Residents may watch our meetings online by visiting www.youtube.com/cityofsumter.
  • Council approved Ordinance No. 2686, which provides that all public meetings of City Boards and Commissions, minus those under exceptions made by the City Manager, are to be postponed through August 15, 2020.
  • Council approved two Maintenance Guarantees, one for the water lines in the Stonecroft II Subdivision and the second for roads and infrastructure in the Stillpointe Subdivision. Subdivisions are required to provide the City with a guarantee that the subdivision has been built to industry standards before the City assumes any maintenance responsibility.
  • Council considered appointments due to expire on June 30, 2020 to the following Boards and Commissions:
    • City of Sumter Housing and Economic Development Board
    • Sumter Development Board
    • Iris Festival Commission
    • Downtown Sumter Committee
    • Historic Preservation Design Review Committee

Serving on a City of Sumter commission, board, or committee is one of the most effective ways for citizens to influence City policies and activities. Those interested in serving on a City board, commission or committee may visit www.sumtersc.gov/council/commissions and fill out the Citizens Form for Service, which is linked on the page.

  • Council approved Ordinance No. 2683, which amends the City of Sumter’s budget for Fiscal Year 2020. Reallocation of additional revenue prompted this amendment due to unexpected tax revenue projections for 2020.
  • Council also approved Ordinance No. 2684, which adopts the budget for Fiscal Year 2021. This is the 12thyear the City of Sumter has not raised taxes for its citizens. This is attributed in part to the great work by our administration and staff and the success of the “Penny for Progress” initiative that Sumter County voters first approved by majority in 2008 and renewed in 2014.
  • Council approved to support staff's pursuit of three new programs:
    • Summer Camp Program in partnership with the Sumter School District
    • Saturday Pilot Program, starting in Fall 2020 at the North HOPE Center, open to the public, which will host soft skills training as well as recreational activities.

OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • As the number of diagnosed COVID-19 cases continues to rise in South Carolina, citizens are encouraged to continue to practice social distancing, wear a mask when distance cannot be maintained, sanitize hands regularly and avoid congregating in groups.
    • By the way, there is a free COVID-19 pop-up testing clinic happening Thursday, June 18 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Sumter. For details and a full list of clinics by location, you can also visit the City’s COVID-19 website.
  • Both City of Sumter Aquatics Center and Palmetto Tennis Center have reopened, with some limitations.
  • The Aquatics Center is open Tuesday – Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • The Palmetto Tennis Center is open Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • Citizens are reminded that parks and facilities are open, but in an effort to protect the health and safety of citizens and City employees, offices and restrooms remain closed to the public.
  • For the safety of our staff, the City of Sumter sanitation crews are not sorting recycling by hand at the curb during pickup. Please bag your recycling items and place them in the same container as your regular trash, until further notice. If you would like to continue recycling or have large items, there are nine recycling centers and a landfill located around Sumter County. Details and addresses can be found by visiting sumtersc.gov/public services/sanitation/recycling.
  • Please remember that online, mail and phone participation for the 2020 Census are still open. We ask that you please complete the census to determine funding and support for various services, such as highway planning and construction, grants that support teachers and housing assistance for older adults. You may find more information by visiting 2020census.gov.
  • City Council meetings are held on the first Tuesday at 1 PM and on the third Tuesday at 5:30 PM. While on a normal schedule, our meetings can be attended in person in the Council Chambers on the 4th floor of the Opera House, except for July. Currently, all our meetings are being held virtually. Residents may watch our meetings online by visiting youtube.com/cityofsumter. Public comments may be submitted online through our website at www.sumtersc.gov/council/meetings.
    • Next month we will only have one regularly scheduled meeting on July 21 at 5:30 PM.