By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer
The Woodruff City Council heard a brief highlight of the preliminary budget at its May meeting, a meeting that marked the first since the resignation of Council Scott Dickard, who recently moved out of the city limits.
City Manager Lee Bailey provided the first introduction of the preliminary budget for the upcoming 2022-23 fiscal year. The budget is proposed at just over $3.7 million. Bailey provided some highlighted items in the budget and told the council that staff is still finalizing figures as they are waiting on some pricing for various items due to inflation.
Among the highlighted items in the coming budget are:
- A new police officer position for the city
- An overhaul and update for the city’s website
- Three new police vehicles for the city’s fleet
- An 18% increase in healthcare costs
- A new employee for the streets department
- A new lawn mower for city staff.
Bailey said that based on revenue projections for the coming year, the budget is expected to be conservative and within the city’s means.
The council also approved the first reading of an item to revise the conditional use permit section of the zoning ordinance. The change is to adjust the language to bring the city in compliance with state law. A review of the city’s ordinances found the discrepancy.
The meeting opened with two citizens addressing the council.
Cara Forde implored the council to ensure that they take appropriate steps and caution in planning for the city’s growth. She specifically called out a recent approval of heavy industrial zoning near highways 101 and 418, emphasizing that the current roads are not equipped to handle heavy equipment associated with that type of zoning. She encouraged a continued focus on attracting more small businesses to fill vacant buildings in the downtown area.
Karyn Page-Davies with the Stone Soup Storytelling Institute also addressed the council to share upcoming events planned at Muse 134 in downtown Woodruff. She emphasized a partnership with The Bid Whist Society of South Carolina for a Juneteenth celebration called “Juneteenth in the ‘Ruff” on June 24 – 25.
Councilman Scott Dickard recently submitted his resignation from the council to Bailey. Dickard, who represented Ward 6, recently purchased a home and moved out of the city limits, making him no longer eligible to serve on the council.
Spartanburg County will hold a special election on August 9 to choose someone to complete Dickard’s current four-year term that began in November 2021. Anyone interested in filing for the seat must be a Spartanburg County voter and have been a resident of District Six for at least 30 days prior to the election. Filing opened on May 27 and closed on June 6. Those interested must file a Non-partisan Statement of Intention of Candidacy and pay a $25 filing fee. For more information, contact the Spartanburg County Election Commission at 864-596-2549.
The council will hear the final budget proposal, including a public hearing at their June meeting on Tuesday, June 28, at the Woodruff City Hall. The meetings are open to the public. Anyone wishing to speak at the public hearing must sign up before the meeting.
Author: Tracy Sanders
