MARCH 2026 MAYOR’S MINUTE
At last night’s City Council meeting, we heard a special presentation from Follow Me Crusade and held a public hearing on a proposed rezoning of 22.24 acres on West Oakland Avenue to Planned Development. We took up new business including a lease-purchase agreement for vehicles and equipment, potential utility rate adjustments, a Fair Housing Month resolution, and a contract for a greenway feasibility study.
Last night, we welcomed the Follow Me Crusade for a special presentation at the beginning of the evening’s meeting.
- The Sumter Crusade is a multi-day community worship event bringing people together for two full weeks of preaching, music, and fellowship.
- It will be held at 2801 Broad Street in Sumter, making it easily accessible for the local community to attend and participate.
- Week one will take place April 20-24, with week two the following week of April 27-May 1
The City of Sumter also designated April 2026 as Fair Housing Month.
- This is all about making sure everyone in our community has equal access to safe, affordable housing.
- This year also marks the 35th anniversary of the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which helps fund housing opportunities for families and individuals.
- Fair housing means no one should face discrimination when renting, buying, or securing housing.
Last night, City Council was presented with a contract for the Palmetto Park Greenway Connector Feasibility Study Project
- This project aims to expand the city's bicycle and pedestrian network by connecting the existing Shot Pouch Greenway at Plowden Pond directly to Palmetto Park and the Sumter Tennis Center.
- Public input is an important part of this process. There will be a Community Engagement Plan to gather feedback on different path options and crossing alternatives. Stay tuned for more information on public meetings.
At our March 3rd City Council Meeting, Police Chief Russell Roark gave a synopsis of the 2025 Annual Police Report. The annual report sheds light on the daily grind we don't always see:
- Mentoring local youth to break cycles of violence.
- Partnering with community organizations on prevention.
- And navigating thousands of calls ranging from major emergencies to routine neighborhood assistance.
The full report can be viewed at sumterpd.com
To see the full agenda from last night’s meeting, go to sumtersc.gov
All City Council meetings are now available to watch the next day on YouTube.
Swan Lake Iris Gardens is currently under construction!
- The Sister Wimberly Playground
- A full renovation with modern, nature-inspired equipment.
- Designed for children of all ages and abilities.
- The first major playground upgrade since the 1970s.
- The North Entrance Renovation
- We are in store for upgraded walkways, erosion control, new brick and stone columns, refreshed steel gates and fencing, and updated planting and irrigation.
- This will create a polished, welcoming entrance that honors the Gardens’ history.
- Expect both of these projects to be completed by the end of 2026. The park will remain open during this time, with limited disruptions and closures in the affected construction zones.
Manning Avenue Bridge is closed to traffic until further notice
- The Manning Avenue Bridge in Sumter is officially closed to all traffic as of January 12, 2026, due to a construction project being managed by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT).
- The bridge will remain closed until the project is complete.
- This project is expected to take approximately 28 months.
Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, follow posted detour signage, and use alternate routes while the bridge is closed.
For the latest updates, please visit sumtersc.gov or scdot.org.
The applications for the 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program are now available!
- For over 30 years, this program has been a game-changer for our local students, offering real-world experience and a paycheck to match
- This is for students who live in the city limits and meet HUD guidelines
- Applications are due May 1st and can be found at sumtersc.gov
Sumter is excited to host the first-ever Gamecock City Invitational, March 27th and 28th, presented by SAFE Federal Credit Union.
- Watch top high school baseball teams from across South Carolina compete in two days of elite action.
- Fans, families, and scouts won’t want to miss it!
- For details, visit RileyParkSC.com
We invite you to visit and attend a regular City Council meeting, our meetings are typically held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Please note that there will be no meeting on the first Tuesday of July. The next scheduled meeting is April 7th, at 1:00 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.