March 2020 Council Highlights

MARCH 2020 COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Council approved the transfer of property to the Sumter School District along Missouri Street and Boulevard Road. This property allowed Lemira Elementary to expand their park area and provide a safer buffer from surrounding properties and the school.
  • City Council approved two annexation requests this month:
    1. Approximately 5.18 acres located at 1410 and 1420 US Hwy 15 South.
    2. Approximately 1.51 acres at the corner of Red Bay Road and Boulevard Road.
  • Sumter Police Chief presented the Police Department’s annual report to Council earlier in March, which highlights a 9.3% decrease in overall crime.
  • City Council has declared April as Fair Housing Month. It is Council goal to provide opportunity for our residents to attain a decent, safe and sanitary home that rejects discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, ancestral status and disability. This year also marks the 29th anniversary of our Home Investment Partnership Program where we have
  • The city has updated its sign ordinance, with additional compliance information. This is an effort to curb so many illegal signs from inundating our rights-of-way and streets. Questions about our sign ordinance should be directed to the Planning Department at 803-774-1660.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • Once again Sumter, South Carolina has been chosen as a top 20 finalist in the All-America City competition, through the National Civic League. Each of the finalist communities demonstrated civic engagement practices that are inspirational, inclusive and promising in their ability to unite members of the community to collectively and collaboratively help solve our country’s most pressing and complex issues. This year’s finalists focused specifically on enhancing health and well-being through civic engagement. Sumter’s application highlighted over 45 agencies and programs working today in our community that create healthy minds and bodies and improved housing options. A team of professional representing a cross culture of the Sumter Community will travel to Denver in June 2020 to compete.
  • The U.S. Census is here and it’s important for all Sumter residents to be counted. The response website is now live and you can respond without a Census ID (however, the Census Bureau encourages people to use the Census ID if possible). For assistance or to respond to Census 2020, you may mail back your form, call them directly at 1-844-330-2020 or complete the form online at my2020census.gov.
  • The Mayor is hosting a “Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer” Thursday, March 19. We ask all churches and people of faith to lift up prayers for God’s protection over our community that we will have few infections and that those infected will survive and be restored to health. Thank you and may God continue to bless our Sumter community. 

CITY OF SUMTER COVID-19 UPDATE (AS OF MARCH 17, 2020, 6:30PM)

In the interest of public safety and to help minimalize the exposure to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the City of Sumter will be modifying operations effective March 17-31. We will reevaluate these changes as more information is available. Considering recommendations made by the CDC and SC DHEC, access to certain city facilities will be restricted to the public:

CITY HALL (HUMAN RESOURCES/ADMINISTRATION) (21 N. MAIN STREET)

Access will be limited. Offices may be reached by phone at 803-436-2500.

FIRE DEPARTMENT (ALL STATIONS)

All stations are restricted and not be able to receive any food, goodies, or etc. from the public at this time. The building will be locked down and only Fire Department personnel will be allowed in. This includes family members, retirees, other City Employees unless otherwise approved by the Fire Chief. For emergencies call 9-1-1 or non-emergencies call 803-436-2600.

LIBERTY CENTER (PLANNING, BUSINESS LICENSE, BUILDING PERMITS, EVENTS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT) (12 W. LIBERTY STREET)

Access to the facility is limited. All visitors must enter through back entrance only. Faster service desks have been moved into the hallway to help expedite customers

PUBLIC SERVICES (303 E. LIBERTY STREET)

  • Garbage collection remains on schedule.
  • Recycling services remain on schedule.
  • Yard debris will remain on schedule.
  • Utility repairs will not be affected. If you are experiencing any issues, please call 803-436-2558.

TENNIS CENTER (411 THEATRE DRIVE) & AQUATICS CENTER (1115 S. LAFAYETTE BLVD)

All scheduled programming is cancelled. Free play is open; however, neither facility will have loaner equipment available to the public.

UTILITY BILLING DEPARTMENT (130 S. HARVIN STREET)

The lobby at our Utility Billing Department, located at 130 S. Harvin Street is closed. At this time, only the drive-thru window will remain open.

The following services can be performed online at www.sumtersc.gov/utilities/accounts:

  • Pay Your Bill.
  • Start New Service.
  • Stop Service.
  • Request Temporary Service.
  • Start a Bank Draft.

Our customer service representatives remain available to the public via email at [email protected] or phone 803-436-2541.

VISITORS CENTER (822 W. LIBERTY STREET)

All events and rental requests have been cancelled and/or postponed. For more info call 803-436-2640.