Publish Date
17th September 2025
- City Council covered a full slate last night—from rezoning and cell tower rules to city property deals and a new parking lot project. Plenty of decisions in the works that could shape how Sumter grows and connects.
- 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 the City’s YouTube channel as well.
- Exciting news, Sumter! Westend Park is reopening today – a fresh space and playground area for the community to enjoy.
- The site was formerly known as the Jenkins Center and also houses a community garden.
- The park’s new name honors the Westend Community Association, recognizing their years of dedication to the neighborhood and is located between Oakland Avenue and Dingle Street.
- Artwork applications are now open for students to apply for:
- the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Card Contest,
- Open to all Sumter public schools (elementary and middle school), entries must be submitted by 5 PM, Wednesday, October 15.
- Two grand prize winners will have their designs used for the official 2025 City of Sumter Christmas Card.
- the Love Where You Live Annual Litter Poster Contest,
- open to all elementary, middle, and high school students in Sumter (city and county).
- Winners will have their art showcased on our annual poster, which announces our Community Clean-Up Days. Entries for this contest must be submitted by 5 PM, Wednesday, November 19.
- For more information on both contests, go to sumtersc.gov
- the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Card Contest,
- Public input is needed for the upcoming Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
- The City of Sumter receives annual CDBG funds to improve neighborhoods and support low-to-moderate-income residents. Public input is key — join us at upcoming meetings to help shape the Annual Action Plan:
- Sept. 23, 2025 – North Hope Center, 904 N. Main St.
- Sept. 30, 2025 – South Hope Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Dr.
- Oct. 7, 2025 – Birnie Hope Center, 210 S. Purdy St.
- Oct. 14, 2025 – South Sumter Resource Center, 337 Manning Ave.
- Nov. 18, 2025 – City Council Chambers, Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St.
- All meetings begin at 6:00 PM. Venues are handicapped accessible. Assistance is available for hearing-impaired or non-English-speaking residents by calling 774-1649.
- The City of Sumter receives annual CDBG funds to improve neighborhoods and support low-to-moderate-income residents. Public input is key — join us at upcoming meetings to help shape the Annual Action Plan:
- Check out the City STEM booths at the annual Sumter eSTEAM Festival on Saturday, October 4 from 10-3 PM in Downtown Sumter. Activities will be provided by over 60 vendors, including our own Fire, Police, Planning, Litter, and Opera House. This event is FREE for all.
- We are pleased to announce the upcoming expansion of Water Plant 5, located right off of Wesmark Blvd.
- This is a major City of Sumter infrastructure improvement project set to be completed by mid-2027.
- This project will enhance water supply reliability and capacity for our entire community.
- While brief service interruptions or temporary discoloration may occur, please be assured that we are committed to minimizing disruptions and maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficiency for all customers.
- This is a major City of Sumter infrastructure improvement project set to be completed by mid-2027.
- The next Fourth Friday Concert Series event will take place on September 26th
- Taking place from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at 141 N Main Street, in front of the Sumter County Courthouse.
- This FREE event features live music by Sole Purpose along with food trucks, cold beverages from Sertoma, and free books for kids courtesy of the Palmetto Optimist Club.
- Bring your chairs (no coolers, please) and enjoy a lively evening in downtown Sumter.
- Taking place from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at 141 N Main Street, in front of the Sumter County Courthouse.
- The City’s Tire Buy Back event is coming up on September 27th, 2025, from 9 AM – 1 PM at the Sumter County Civic Center.
- During this event, Sumter City and County residents can receive $2 for each tire brought in for recycling.
- This event is open to residents only, and businesses are not permitted to participate.
- Limit 20 car tires per vehicle. No tires with rims, please.
- A valid SC ID will be required.
- Sponsored by Palmetto Pride and Walmart.
- For more information, call 803-305-5266.
- The community is invited to help celebrate the grand opening of Sumter’s TRACK Trail program, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina and Diabetes Free SC, on Tuesday, September 30, at 4 pm, with a ceremony and guided activity at the Prisma Health Shot Pouch Greenway Trailhead at Swan Lake Iris Gardens.
- Parking is available in the trailhead parking lot located at 9 Bland Avenue. After the official opening ceremony, we will also have a guided family activity along the greenway.
- Remember, we are still in the middle of Hurricane season.
- Remember that early preparation can make all the difference in staying safe.
- Stay prepared all season long with the 2025 South Carolina Hurricane Guide at hurricane.sc
- We’re continuing to remind our city roll cart customers to place their Handles toward the House!
- Because of our new side-loading trucks, we have changed the way roll carts need to be placed.
- When in Doubt, remember when placing your cart by the street: #HandlesTowardTheHouse
- 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 Tuesday, October 7th. 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 anytime before any meeting to discuss a concern or idea.