Here’s a recap of the May 14 meeting of Simpsonville City Council.
Advanced: 2024-25 fiscal year budget
Council gave initial approval to the city’s more than $24.5 million operation budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which includes no tax increases and a 4% cost-of-living increase for each of the city’s full-time employees.
The budget includes spending to:
- Accommodate a 10% increase in health insurance costs
- Commit $250,000 for road resurfacing through the city’s Public Works Enterprise Fund
Other budget highlights include:
- $250,000 capital projects transfer for new heavy rescue truck – a final payment will also be made in 2025-26 budgets with the item delivered in 2026
- $250,000 transfer to start a Stormwater Capital Fund
- $47,000 to cover the city’s contribution to Greenlink’s Route 601
- Salary adjustments for police and fire departments
- $1,000 per ward in city council discretionary funds
- Two police patrol vehicles
- One new fire department vehicle
- Cubing machine for public works
This item will go before the City Council for final approval June 11.
Appointed: New fire chief
Council appointed Harold Nichols as Simpsonville’s new fire chief. He has 30 years of experience in fire service. Nichols has been with the city for 20 years and held various roles such as battalion chief, assistant chief and interim chief.
Initial approval: Change allowing council to override Planning Commission
Council gave initial approval to a measure that would change the city’s ordinance required a two-thirds majority of the City Council to override the Planning Commission’s recommendations.
If approved, a simple majority of the council would override recommendations made by the commission.
This item will before the City Council for final approval June 11.
Initial approval: Rezoning for retail, storage facility
Council gave initial approval to a request to rezone three properties at 1214, 1212 and 27305 W. Georgia Road.
The applicant, Focal Point Investments LLC, plans to combine the parcels to build a seven-bay commercial retail structure with storage facilities on the back of the property.
This item will before the City Council for final approval June 11.
Approved: Change to Harrison Park commercial building size
Council approved a request to change Harrison Park’s commercial building size.
The applicant, Elev8t Properties LLC, has requested to change the master plan of the development on Harrison Bridge Road to allow for a commercial building not exceeding 16,000 square feet. The structure will house a day care.
Final approval: Rezoning request
Council gave final approval to a rezoning request for a property at 504 Boyd Ave., which is home to David Michael Salon and J. Callahan Construction.
The property was previously rezoned for industrial use so the applicant, David Dytman, would be able to build and open a manufacturing business. Dytman did not build the new facility and wished to return it to its business general zoning.
