By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer
jeremy@thewoodrufftimes.com
The Woodruff City Council approved the first reading on three items at their September meeting, moving forward issues regarding changes to the business license ordinance, the tax millage, and special tax considerations for the old ballfield at 220 Mill Street.
City Manager Lee Bailey presented an ordinance recommending changes to the city’s current business license ordinance, combining two current categories – peddler and seasonal peddler – into a single general business license category. The change came about based on new rules issued by the State of South Carolina. The city is required to review and update the ordinance every two years. The changes will be returned to the Council for a final vote in October.
Bailey also shared an ordinance regarding the 2023-2024 tax millage levy. He told the Council that the city is still waiting on the reassessment from Spartanburg County, so final figures on the adjustment are not completed. He said the city expects to finalize the figures for the second reading in October.
Finally, the Council passed the first reading of a resolution to certify that the site of the old mill ballfield was indeed previously owned by the mill. The certification provides tax benefits to any future development at the site.
In other business, the Council heard a presentation from Jasmine Humphries, a student intern from Converse University, who spent the summer working with the events team for the city. She shared her experience in helping plan and host various events, including summer concerts in the park and the inaugural Fourth of July fireworks show.
“Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity,” Humphries said.
Tim Womack, an Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG) Senior Citizens Program representative, presented to the Council about the various services his organization provides for seniors in the Upstate. He hoped to shed some light on these services that are most often free to area seniors, including family and caregiver support, rental and utility assistance, and Medicare counseling. ACOG also operates the senior center in Woodruff.
The City Council meets on the last Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The meetings are open to the public. The next meeting will be moved to the next to last Tuesday, October 24, due to Halloween landing on the last Tuesday.
Author: Tracy Sanders
