WINNSBORO – It’s been years since Fairfield county and municipal leaders first floated a concept of a regional water and sewer authority.
Now that its composition has been finalized, the group plans to chart new waters as it attempts to define and fulfill its mission of enhancing economic development in Fairfield County.
“Industry absolutely has to have basic infrastructure,” County Administrator Jason Taylor said. “The Town of Winnsboro and other entities need to come together because none of us can do it alone.”
On Tuesday, County Council unanimously approved a resolution approving the final composition of the water authority.
Winnsboro Town Council approved a similarly worded resolution last week.
The resolutions passed by the Fairfield and Winnsboro councils shave the authority board from seven to five members, drawing two Fairfield County representatives – Council Chairman Neil Robinson and Taylor. Winnsboro Town Manager Don Wood and Gaddy.
Kyle Crager, the authority’s fifth member, was jointly appointed by the county and town.
Ensuring Fairfield County has sufficient infrastructure is particularly important as it relates to the mega site off I-77, where sufficient sewer capacity doesn’t exist.
Taylor said new sewer lines potentially cost tens of millions of dollars more than water lines. The state recently awarded a $2 million grant for infrastructure design and prep work and though helpful, it’s only a fraction of what’s needed.
“The Town [of Winnsboro] has done a wonderful job in getting water infrastructure in place so we have sufficient water capacity. However sewer is much more expensive.” Taylor said.
As the authority board mulls ways to generate funds, other ideas were put forward at Monday night’s council meeting.
Ridgeway resident Randy Bright repeated his call for a penny sales tax to fund water and sewer upgrades.
“Infrastructure is an imperative,” Bright said. “If we had started this five years ago, we would already have $10 million that we could put forward to water and sewer to bring families, homes, industry new jobs and grow the economy.”
Councilman Jimmy Ray Douglas proposed taxing agricultural real properties that receive a tax break from the state.
Douglas proposed adding a $1 per acre tax on qualifying properties, which he said would generate $450,000 a year that could be applied to water and sewer expenses.
“I have ag land that I own and I’m paying next to nothing,” he said. “Everyone else who has less than five acres is paying a lot more taxes. I feel like every [agriculturally exempt] acre in Fairfield County needs to have an extra dollar in taxes on it.”
In South Carolina, agricultural real property is taxed at 4 percent of its fair market value. Non-agricultural property is taxed at 6 percent.
For the owner of property valued at $100,000, a Fairfield County landowner receiving the tax break pays $814 less than owners not receiving it.
Critics, however, say the exemptions unfairly benefit developers who claim the exemption on undeveloped property, most harvesting trees to technically qualify for the exemption.
The 2 percent tax break isn’t permanent. Once the land use changes, the rate rolls back to 6 percent and landowners are responsible for paying the difference, according to state law.
Council Chair Neil Robinson listens during economic development presentation. | Michael Smith
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County kicked off 2019 by finalizing a major economic development project and leasing the rehabilitation center on the Fairfield Memorial Hospital campus.
County Council members voted unanimously Monday night on final approval of a fee-in-lieu of taxes, or FILOT, agreement for MLily, a Chinese-owned mattress company set to launch operations this year in the old Mack Truck Building.
Healthcare Co. Ltd., parent company of MLily, plans to invest $45 million in Fairfield County and is expected to create 250 jobs.
Located at 1 Guardian Way in Winnsboro, the operation will specialize in the production of memory-foam mattresses. The company also produces pillows and sofas.
Through the FILOT, new industries see their taxes drop from 10.5 percent to roughly 6 percent. Depending on the company, special source revenue credits may may also apply.
County Administrator Jason Taylor said the FILOT deals like the one reached with MLily have become commonplace as competition to land new industry has grown increasingly stiff.
“You have to compete against a number of other counties, a number of other countries,” Taylor said.
Ty Davenport, the county’s economic development director, said MLily’s economic impact on Fairfield County is significant. He estimated it will take eight to 10 months before MLily begins operation.
“Two hundred fifty jobs is a great lick for any community, and it’s a huge one for ours, so we’re very thankful for that.” Davenport said. “It’s a great way to start the year off. I think it’ll be a good place to work.”
Megasite Update
Also at Monday’s meeting, Davenport updated council members on the megasite, a 1,500-acre parcel off I-77 at Highway 34 in Ridgeway, that county leaders hope will be a hub for more industry.
Davenport said there’s been activity at the site, mainly surveying potential roads and water and sewer lines.
“Really they’re just gathering data that will be used in the design process,” he said. “No pipe is being laid and no roads are being built until we get all this information together.”
Councilman Jimmy Ray Douglas said he thinks a new sewer plant is needed to help market the mega site. He said the plant could be done in conjunction with the proposed one-cent sales tax.
“At the next meeting I’ll reveal what I’m talking about,” Douglas said.
County leases Rehab Center
In related business, the council also approved a lease agreement with Palmetto Health to operate the rehab center.
County Administrator Jason Taylor said part of the deal includes granting Palmetto Health six months of free lease. If the rehab center meets certain benchmarks, another six months of free lease would be awarded.
“We knew the rehab center that was there was the bright, shining star. We wanted to find a way to save it,” Taylor said. “In the end, we decided Palmetto was the best fit for what we were looking for.”
Ridgeway resident Randy Bright commended the county for striking a deal to save the rehab center.
“Keeping rehab within the county, believe me, it took a lot of work to make this happen. It is so beneficial,” Bright said. “It fills a need not only for residents, but also for growth.”
Gilbert on Providence Board
It was announced Monday night that County Councilman Clarence Gilbert has been appointed to the board of Providence Health.
“In our contract with Providence Health, County Council is allowed to recommend a council member to be placed on Providence Health’s board which, in turn, confirms that nomination. Gilbert will serve a two-year term.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve on Providence’s board,” Gilbert said. “And I’m looking forward to working hard to be of service to the hospital, our new ER and the county.
The County provides $1 million a year to Providence Health’s new ER facility in Winnsboro.
WINNSBORO – Four County Councilmen were sworn into office during a 5 p.m. special session Monday evening. Re-elected to office for a second term were Douglas Pauley (District 6) and Mikel Trapp (District 2), both in the center. Clarence Gilbert, left, (District 7) and Moses Bell, right, (District 1) were newly elected. Councilman Neil Robinson was elected Council Chairman and Councilwoman Bertha Goins was elected vice-chair. Following the swearing in ceremony, refreshments prepared by the Cornwallis Tea Company were served.
2019 Review: New Industries Brought Jobs, Investment to Fairfield County
WINNSBORO – A year
and a half ago, a Lowcountry newspaper lamented Fairfield County’s double digit
unemployment. What a difference a couple of years has made.
Today, the county’s unemployment rate has shrunk to 3.1
percent and, according to County Administrator Jason Taylor, industrial
prospects over the last couple of years have accounted for the creation of more
than 700 new jobs and a $70 million impact.
In fact, Fairfield County has completed one of its busiest
years on record, with county leaders tackling a flotilla of projects and inking
a number of important deals. The new year saw the opening of the Providence ER,
complete with additional outpatient services. The transformation saves the
county some $600,000 annually over the previous funding of the former Fairfield
Memorial Hospital.
Economic development, infrastructure improvements and
revitalization highlight a laundry list of accomplishments that followed in
2019, and county officials say they plan to continue growing that list in 2020.
County Council Chairman Neil Robinson said while much was
accomplished in 2019, he predicted that 2020 could be a breakout year. He
credited Taylor, who was hired a little over two years ago, for guiding the
council’s directives to fruition.
“His vision and knowledge of where we should be and how we
get there surprises me every day,” Robinson said. “If Fairfield’s 2019 could be
summed up in one word, it’s jobs.”
Taylor agreed.
“Between the various projects, it’s been a very good year
for us,” Taylor said. “One of our responsibilities in local government is to
improve the quality of people’s lives. A job is critical to someone having a
good quality of life.”
Taylor, council and county employees have taken that
responsibility seriously and the results are popping up in various ways, not
the least of which is a new, cooperative relationship between the county and
the Town of Winnsboro – a far cry from the rancor that had for years stymied
progress for the two governments.
Bringing employment to the county is a trend county leaders
hope to continue in 2020 as the result of groundwork laid the past couple of
years in revitalization, water and sewer infrastructure and the acquisition of
new industry.
To that end, the county is working to expand its newly
created Fairfield County Water Authority as well as construct a major
wastewater treatment facility to serve the I-77 corridor and megasite,
something Robinson says is vital in landing major industry on the order of
Boeing, BMW or Mazda.
Here’s a summary of the major projects Fairfield County
tackled in 2019, as well as the forecast for 2020.
Economic Development
Mattresses move along a conveyor belt where they are inserted into mattress covers, then rolled up by another piece of equipment and packaged for shipping.
MLILY, Pharmacy Lite Packaging and Sea Pro Boats are the
latest industries to have commenced or announced operations in Fairfield County
in 2019. More job announcements are anticipated in coming weeks, according to
Robinson.
“Landing MLILY was a major accomplishment,” Robinson said.
“You’re talking about a $48 million investment into the county. That’s a lot of
tax money coming to us.”
Ty Davenport, Director of Fairfield County Economic
Development, said Pharmacy Lite Packaging, which is launching operations in the
former Wal-Mart building, represents a $2.9 million investment, though he
thinks that figure will grow to $3.5 million in time.
“It’s expected to create 33 new jobs, which we think in
coming years will get up closer to around 100,” he said.
Just before Christmas, the county authorized an agreement
with Victory Boats, LLC, which is expanding to Fairfield County. Located in the
former Fazio building on Hwy 34 near the Highway 321 bypass, the company brings
with it a $3 million investment and 135 new jobs.
“We also did a lot of work to save and help expand both
Element and MEKRA Lang,” Taylor said.
“If we continue to target industrial growth opportunities,
commercial and residential growth should follow,” he said. “We were at 14
percent (unemployment) not too terribly long ago,” Taylor said. “The problem is
a lot of people are driving outside the county to work. We have to have
opportunities for people to work here at home. When people stay at home, they
invest and shop here.”
Water and Sewer Infrastructure
Heavily linked to economic development is the improvement of
the county’s infrastructure. Water and sewer are a top priority.
In March, the county formed the Fairfield County Joint Water
and Sewer Authority Commission. So far, the membership is made up of the county
and the Town of Winnsboro.
The authority is vital to the funding and construction of
the wastewater treatment plant, which is seen as needed infrastructure by
industry looking to relocate to Fairfield County.
In 2020, the county hopes to place a sales tax referendum on
the November ballot to help generate additional funds for the plant.
“We’ve been working hard in conjunction with the Town of
Winnsboro and the State of South Carolina to secure funds for the plant,”
Taylor said. “Water and sewer are critical to our future development.”
Over the past two years, the state has provided about $3.8
million to Fairfield County to cover costs associated with engineering and
studies for the new plant.
Robinson said council looked all across the county before
securing a site off Syrup Mill Road for the plant. Piping would funnel
wastewater from the megasite to the plant. It would then be discharged into Big
Cedar Creek.
Once we complete the wastewater treatment facility, that’s
when we’re going to land that big deal,” Robinson said. “Those (deals) could
mean hiring 1,500 to 2,000 employees.
Accommodations, hospitality taxes
The proposed local option sales tax referendum is separate
from the county accommodations and hospitality taxes enacted in 2019.
Expected annual revenue of about $250,000 from these taxes
will be paid primarily by tourists. The revenue can be spent in a number of
ways to benefit the town and county and their businesses. It can also be used
to construct public meeting facilities, other enhancements and tourism services
as well as entertainment events and capital projects that will attract tourist
dollars to the town and county.
The accommodation and hospitality tax revenue can also be
used to pay indebtedness issued by the County for public purposes.
In December, the Town of Winnsboro adopted a resolution
allowing the two taxes to be collected (by the county) from businesses in the
town as well.
“We’ve overcome the last obstacle to implementing the
accommodations and hospitality tax, and that will move forward shortly,” Taylor
added.
Airport upgrades
An especially valuable commodity in the county’s economic
development toolbox is the Fairfield County Airport, located off Hinnants Store
Road in Winnsboro. But it was not always so before Taylor hired pilot Denise
Bryant as director of the airport in 2017. Until then, the airport was
deficient in many areas. The previous fuel farm technically didn’t comply with
regulations set by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control
(DHEC).
“We found that our fuel farm and our tanks were not what
they should be,” Taylor said. “They weren’t even licensed by DHEC. We have
taken measures to remediate all of that.”
During the last two years, Bryant has overseen the
construction of a new state-of-the-art fuel farm that was completed in
December.
“The fuel farm is very attractive, well-done. It’s something
to be proud of now,” Taylor said.
Two, 12,000-gallon fuel tanks were installed. With the extra
capacity, the airport can take in more fuel deliveries, which translates into
lower costs.
In addition, the pumps feature a card reader display and a
second screen display large enough for pilots to view, even when they’re
fueling their planes from the opposite side of their craft.
“You can actually go to the other side of your plane to fuel
and you can see the dollar amount of what’s going into your plane,” Bryant
said.
Bryant has also overseen other major upgrades including
lighting and signage. The facility boasts a 5,000-foot runway and parallel
taxiway, a modern terminal building with upgraded furnishings, a laser grade
testing center, a pilot’s shop, flight instruction and new T-Hangars.
In 2020, the county plans to resurface all of the airport’s
ramps, taxiways and runways. The work is expected to start sometime in March or
April, and take about a month to complete.
Bryant said the federal government is covering 90 percent,
or about $320,000 of the project. The county and state are each picking up 5
percent, or about $16,800 for their respective portions.
“Upgrang and modernizing the airport is important because
the facility is often the first impression CEOs of prospective industries have
when they fly into Fairfield County,” Bryant said.
“There’s a lot of general aviation traffic that comes into a
community first, especially in the corporate world,” she said. “The general
aviation airport in Fairfield is extremely important in putting down the
welcome carpet.”
Mt. Zion renovation
Fairfield County spent much of 2018 putting together a plan
to revitalize the former Mt. Zion Institute building to serve as a new
Fairfield County government center in downtown Winnsboro.
In 2019, the county devoted considerable efforts to working
with the developer, 1st and Main, a North Carolina firm, to secure the
financing for the renovation.
More than half of the funding of the $11.5 million project
would come from state and federal tax credits associated with the property.
Fairfield County plans to buy the building via interest free
annual lease payments of approximately $4.9 million over seven years. At the
end of those seven years, the county will make a final payment to purchase and
take ownership of the property from 1st and Main.
“We got all the
financing we were hoping we would get and a little more, actually. And all the design
work is done,” Taylor said.
The actual construction is slated to start in January 2020
and is expected to last 16 months, with a projected opening sometime in Spring,
2021.
Market Building
The launching of the Fairfield County Market building has helped
increase foot traffic in downtown Winnsboro, which county officials hope will
spill over to existing shops and restaurants.
Opened in May, the Market is located in a renovated former
county building located on East Washington behind the Town Clock. With a
kitchen, classroom, restrooms and a large, open market room, the building can
be used not only by the farmer’s market on Saturdays but for weddings,
receptions and other large community or family gatherings.
Zion Hill Revitalization
During 2019, the county and Town of Winnsboro cooperatively
undertook the revitalization of the Zion Hill and Fortune Springs Park
neighborhoods, with input from the residents of the area. It is a major step
forward in bringing this area back to its Glory days, county officials say.
In November, the county landed the first of several planned
grants to help pay for the project. The initial $488,000 Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) will be augmented by a 10 percent ($48,900) local government
match, giving the county more than $536,000 at its disposal to begin Phase I of
the revitalization effort.
That work will include the demolition and clearance of
approximately 40 dilapidated and vacant structures, according to the Central
Midlands Council of Governments’ (CMCOG) planners who are working with the
county and town to guide and supervise the revitalization.
The demolition work made possible by the bond will begin
this spring and must be finished in two years. Both the town and the county are
eligible to apply for two $500,000 bonds each year.
At a community meeting in July, Gregory Sprouse, a planner
with the CMCOG, said he hopes the Zion Hill project represents the beginning of
more broad revitalization work in Winnsboro neighborhoods.
“We want this [Zion Hill] to be a starting point for how we
can move similar types of projects into other areas of the town that need the
same type of commitment,” Sprouse said. “CDBG funds must be spent to benefit
low to moderate income populations based on census data, and Zion Hill and the
Fortune Springs Park area fit that criteria.”
Broadband
County officials ended the year in new pursuit of broadband
expansion in the county – a pursuit that, in the past, has been futile.
“On broadband, I will just say we are exploring potential
opportunities that may be available that could assist us in working with our
existing local providers to expand the service,” Taylor said. “Like other
infrastructure that we are working on, we realize that for the county to grow,
improving our broadband service is critical. In today’s world, people expect
service to be widely available and fast.”
WINNSBORO – China-based Healthcare Co., Ltd., announced Monday that it plans to establish new operation, Healthcare US Co., Ltd., in Fairfield County. The company’s $45 million investment is projected to create 250 new jobs in the county.
Healthcare US Co., Ltd. is expected to launch its new, 650,000-square-foot, Fairfield County facility in the first quarter of 2019. Located at 1 Guardian Way in Winnsboro, where Mack Truck was previously housed, the operation will specialize in the production of memory-foam mattresses for a variety of customers. Hiring is also slated to begin early next year, and interested applicants should contact healthcare.us@hkfoam.com for more information.
At Monday night’s council meeting, council members gave second reading to an ordinance authorizing the execution of a fee in lieu of taxes and incentive agreement with the company. Third and final reading will likely occur in January, 2019.
Besides mattresses, Healthcare Co. Ltd. also produces pillows and sofas and is the largest memory foam manufacturer in China. It has doubled its production capacity every year since it was established in 2003.
Company global export volumes exceeded $250 million in 2015, the company’s website reported.
“Fairfield County is beyond excited and thankful that Healthcare USA Co., Ltd. has chosen to locate its first U.S. factory in Winnsboro,” said Fairfield County Council Chairman Billy Smith. “The representatives of this company with whom we’ve worked throughout this process have been a pleasure to do business with, and we look forward to their future operation and success within the county. We welcome them with open and supporting arms and are hopeful that others will see this and know that Fairfield County is open for business and focused on the kind of growth that will be beneficial both for our citizens and the businesses that choose to locate and invest with us.”
Smith said one feature of Fairfield County that appealed to Healthcare Co. Ltd. is its proximity to I-77, and that it is strategically located between Columbia and Charlotte.
Smith also said the region has a skilled workforce, a trait he attributed to the state’s technical college system.
“It’s a big plus, a big positive for Fairfield County,” Smith said. “It’s one of the globally leading manufacturers in China, and they are expanding. We look forward to welcoming them here.”
“We’re happy to be establishing this new facility in Fairfield County, and we are very appreciative of the ongoing support from both the local and state governments,” Healthcare Co., Ltd. President James Ni said. “This is a milestone for our company, and we are excited to support the community we will soon be calling home.”
Founded in Jiangsu, China in 2003, Healthcare Co., Ltd. is the first publicly-traded, memory-foam mattress manufacturer in China. Becoming a global industry leader, the company has established overseas production operations in both Serbia and Spain, with approximately 3,600 workers globally.
The S.C. Coordinating Council for Economic Development has awarded a $300,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Fairfield County to assist with the costs of building renovations.
“South Carolina’s ongoing economic success can be attributed, in part, to our manufacturing prowess and ability to recruit foreign direct investment,” Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said. “This $45 million investment in Fairfield County only reinforces that notion. We look forward to this new partnership.”
FIVE FAST FACTS
Healthcare US Co., Ltd. is launching new Fairfield County operations.
$45 million investment to create 250 new jobs.
Healthcare US Co., Ltd. is a China-based manufacturer of memory-foam mattresses for a variety of customers.
Located at 1 Guardian Way in Winnsboro, the company is expected to launch its new, 650,000-square-foot facility in the first quarter of 2019.
Hiring is expected to begin simultaneously, and interested applicants should contact healthcare.us@hkfoam.com for more information.
WINNSBORO – Billy Smith is going out like Ted Williams.
Since his election four years ago, the departing Fairfield County Council chairman has set a new standard for Fairfield County government from bringing parliamentary procedures to meetings to getting things done. Smith, his council and administration have challenged a major utility over a failed nuclear plant, successfully fought for the repurposing of the crumbling Mt. Zion Institute for administrative offices, helped broker major economic deals, including one this week that promises to create 250 jobs, brought state of the art emergency health care to the county brought civility and efficiency to county council meetings – no mean feat.
Councilwoman Bertha Goins thanks Council Chairman Billy Smith for his service. | Michael Smith
Not bad for a 28-year-old.
Elected at age 24, Smith is moving to Louisiana where his wife has accepted a position with LSU. Smith announced in June that he wasn’t seeking re-election. He officially steps down Dec. 31.
“Being on council has been a very challenging and humbling experience,” he said. “But most of all it’s been self-rewarding, both internally and externally. It’s given me experiences that I never thought that I would have had.
“I hope in the next few years I’ll be able to see the progress that’s been built on the foundation the county laid, and see the positive benefits from that,” Smith continued.
Council members honored Smith at Monday night’s council meeting, his last as chairman.
They presented him with an award honoring his service and held a reception following the meeting. Councilman Dan Ruff, who is also stepping off council, was honored as well.
Bertha Goins, vice-chairman of the council, said Smith was, “an excellent team leader” who led by example.
“You’re a tough, young man and you need to stay that way,” Goins said. “You’ve had concern and compassion for the team and for the public as well. May God bless you and continually open doors for you.”
Ten people signed up to speak during the first public input session, and two more in the second session. Several took time to thank Smith for his service.
One woman, who fought tears from the podium, said Smith has developed into “such a fine young man,” saying he always kept residents in mind.
Fairfield County resident Kathy Faulk, a spokeswoman with the Hoof & Paw Benevolent Society, has worked closely with Smith over the past several months on a new animal control ordinance, which passed third reading Monday night.
“Thank you to Mr. Smith for your service and your hard work. You will be missed, and we wish you well in this next phase of your life,” she said.
Representing District 7, Smith was elected to County Council in 2014. He was elected chairman two years later, making him one of the youngest – if not the youngest – council chairs in the state.
But don’t mistake his youth for inexperience.
Smith possesses a deep understanding of the issues, allowing him to confront difficult political topics, from the failed V.C. Summer nuclear plant to the school district’s proposed Teacher Village.
Smith scored several political victories over the past several months.
He successfully lobbied to repurpose the Mt. Zion building into a new county administration building.
Under his leadership, the county is on the verge of finalizing a major economic development deal with Healthcare US Co. Lt., which has announced plans this week to expand operations into the old Mack Truck building, creating 250 jobs and investing $45 million.
Smith’s preparedness allowed him to run fluid, efficient meetings, in which he breezes through agenda items like an auctioneer. He said his style helped bring consistency and order to meetings in which complex topics are often up for debate.
“When you make up rules as you go along, you unfortunately apply those rules differently as well,” Smith said. “I wanted to get away from that. I wanted to get everyone on the same page and have them understand what the rules are. The goal of a meeting is to conduct the business of the county.”
As for the future, Smith doesn’t know if he’ll seek public office again after making the move to Louisiana, though he didn’t rule anything out.
“I saw an opportunity to help the place (Winnsboro) I call home, then help it improve, and I took that opportunity,” Smith said.
WINNSBORO – For a brief moment, Fairfield County’s new animal control ordinance seemed like it might freeze in its tracks.
In the end, however, Fairfield County Council voted 5-0 Monday night on final reading of the new ordinance, which increases fines up to $500 and more specifically defines offenses.
Councilman Dan Ruff abstained and Councilman Mikel Trapp was absent.
With a motion to approve third reading on the floor, Ruff introduced a motion to table third reading. The motion to table failed 4-1.
Ruff said he agreed with the spirit of the ordinance, especially areas addressing animal cruelty, but he also thought other elements required further review.
“There is still some fine print before this is finalized,” he said. “I think it would be better to totally have it clear.”
Council Chairman Billy Smith asked Ruff for specifics, and Ruff pointed to previous comments from William Coleman, a farmer from Blair who expressed concerns during the opening public input session.
Like Ruff, Coleman said he supports cracking down on animal cruelty, but also argued that some provisions aimed at residential owners shouldn’t apply to farmers.
For example, he thought leash laws shouldn’t apply to hunting dogs, nor should they apply to herding dogs.
“I’m in the cattle business,” he said. “Does this mean a cattle dog has to be under restraint when we go to work our cows?”
Council members said the ordinance’s intent isn’t to leash farmers, and Smith pointed out that most of the concerns mentioned were already addressed in the ordinance. Council also noted the ordinance adopted Monday night was merely a starting point to close loopholes governing mostly residential owners.
“It’s definitely better than what we have in place right now,” said Councilman Cornelius Robinson. “It’s like a car, we can fine-tune it in the future.”
It’s been 11 years since Fairfield County last updated its animal control ordinance.
It also took more than a year of discussions between the county and concerned residents to craft the revised ordinance.
Two council members, including Ruff and Smith are leaving the council at the end of the year, which would’ve placed the ordinance’s fate up in the air after new council members are sworn in January.
“I find it necessary we go ahead and do this ordinance tonight,” said Councilwoman Bertha Goins. “We need to lock this in tonight so that we have something to start with.”
Fairfield County’s updated ordinance comes following a series of investigative reports by The Voice, which found that almost nobody charged with animal cruelty in the past 18 months received any jail time.
Though those prosecutions were for state crimes that the solicitor’s office prosecutes in state court – the county ordinance only addresses magistrate level offenses – the lack of prison sentences galvanized public interest in updating the county ordinance.
Highlights of the new law include:
Mandatory reporting of any pet struck by a motor vehicle or bicycle
More detailed definitions of nuisance animals
Pets must be fed at least once a day and have potable water
Tethers are allowed, but must be at least 12 feet long and no more than 15 percent of an animal’s body weight.
Smith, the council chairman, had said during the Nov. 26 meeting, that he hoped tighter rules regarding swing chains could be incorporated. On Tuesday, though, he said, there wasn’t enough time to include that verbiage as it was difficult to clearly define and since he said his chief goal was for the ordinance to pass by the end of the year.
“Our regard for life, human or animal, is all related. It’s so very important and a reflection of who we are as human beings,” Faulk said.
WINNSBORO – Healthcare US Co., Ltd., a venture of China-based Healthcare Co., Ltd., today announced plans to establish new operations in Fairfield County. The company’s $45 million investment is projected to create 250 new jobs.
Healthcare US Co., Ltd. is expected to launch its new, 650,000-square-foot, Fairfield County facility in the first quarter of 2019. Located at 1 Guardian Way in Winnsboro, where Mack Truck was previously housed, the operation will specialize in the production of memory-foam mattresses for a variety of customers. Hiring is also slated to begin early next year, and interested applicants should contact healthcare.us@hkfoam.com for more information.
“Fairfield County is beyond excited and thankful that Healthcare USA Co., Ltd. has chosen to locate its first U.S. factory in Winnsboro,” said Fairfield County Council Chairman Billy Smith. “The representatives of this company with whom we’ve worked throughout this process have been a pleasure to do business with, and we look forward to their future operation and success within the county. We welcome them with open and supporting arms and are hopeful that others will see this and know that Fairfield County is open for business and focused on the kind of growth that will be beneficial both for our citizens and the businesses that choose to locate and invest with us.”
“We’re happy to be establishing this new facility in Fairfield County, and we are very appreciative of the ongoing support from both the local and state governments,” Healthcare Co., Ltd. President James Ni said. “This is a milestone for our company, and we are excited to support the community we will soon be calling home.”
Founded in Jiangsu, China in 2003, Healthcare Co., Ltd. is the first publicly-traded, memory-foam mattress manufacturer in China and is now the largest such manufacturer in that country. Becoming a global industry leader, the company has established overseas production operations in both Serbia and Spain, with approximately 3,600 workers globally.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has awarded a $300,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Fairfield County to assist with the costs of building renovations.
“South Carolina’s ongoing economic success can be attributed, in part, to our manufacturing prowess and ability to recruit foreign direct investment,” Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said. “This $45 million investment in Fairfield County only reinforces that notion. We look forward to this new partnership with Healthcare USA Co., Ltd.”
See the full story in Thursday’s issue of The Voice.
FIVE FAST FACTS
Healthcare US Co., Ltd. is launching new Fairfield County operations.
$45 million investment to create 250 new jobs.
Healthcare US Co., Ltd. is a China-based manufacturer of memory-foam mattresses for a variety of customers.
Located at 1 Guardian Way in Winnsboro, the company is expected to launch its new, 650,000-square-foot facility in the first quarter of 2019.
Hiring is expected to begin simultaneously, and interested applicants should contact healthcare.us@hkfoam.com for more information.
Fairfield County Attorney Tommy Morgan (right) explains why the county cannot issue fines greater than $500 for violations of a new animal control ordinance that received second reading Monday night as Kathy Faulk with the Hoof and Paw Benevolent Society (left) looks on. | Michael Smith
WINNSBORO – It could cost up to $500 per violation in the enhanced animal control laws under consideration by Fairfield County Council.
Second reading of the draft ordinance passed unanimously last week.
While animal rights advocates applaud higher fines and greater guidance for law enforcement, they say the new law, which hasn’t been updated for 11 years, should go further.
Kathy Faulk, community outreach director for the Hoof and Paw Benevolent Society, which lobbied for more teeth in the law, commended the council supporting the ordinance.
“Updating this animal ordinance is, as you know, long overdue. We are hopeful and very excited that this ordinance may go through,” Faulk said. “It will help improve the quality of life of animals that are living in Fairfield County. It will help animal control and law enforcement do their jobs.”
The old law, last updated 11 years ago, included only rudimentary definitions of offenses. A version of the ordinance that passed Monday night included several additional provisions, including:
Mandatory reporting of any pet struck by a motor vehicle or bicycle
More detailed definitions of nuisance animals
Pets must be fed at least once a day and have potable water
Tethers must be at least 12 feet long and weigh no more than 15 percent of an animal’s body weight
On tethering, Faulk said she’d like to see it outlawed in its entirety. She also pressed for a $1,000 maximum fine for offenses.
“Our views on tethering remain unchanged,” she said. “We believe it is inhumane for animals to spend their lives on the end of a tether. However, we believe this ordinance provides some much needed guidelines and it’s a start.”
Faulk also called for the use of swing chains as tethers to be outlawed.
Councilman Dan Ruff also pressed for tougher penalties.
“I agree that we should look into raising the fine to $1,000,” he said.
Fairfield County Attorney Tommy Morgan said state law limits fines counties can charge for ordinance violations.
Morgan said the maximum fine allowed in magistrate court for ordinance violations is $500. He noted that state law contains tougher penalties for felony violations, with higher maximums on fines and offenders facing up to five years in prison.
County law enforcement officers have the option of charging felonies under the state’s “Ill Treatment of Animals” cruelty law. Those charges are heard in General Sessions Court.
“In a nutshell, the state restricts counties in what penalties we can put in animal control ordinances,” Council Chairman Billy Smith said.
Smith agreed that he, too, would like the proposed ordinance revised to outlaw swing chains. He also called upon the General Assembly to update its animal abuse laws.
“In my mind if there’s a state provision in law that we’ve addressed, it should be charged under the state provision because there are higher provisions,” Smith added. “We need to push state legislators to draft legislation to that effect.”
Ruff called upon the solicitor’s office to prosecute cases more vigorously.
“I guess we need to encourage our solicitor to prosecute these cases to the fullest extent of the law,” Ruff said.
Sixth Circuit Solicitor Randy Newman couldn’t be reached for comment.
In previous comments, Newman has said it’s unrealistic to expect prison time in every animal abuse case, and that plea bargains are necessary.
“It is simply not possible to go to trial on every case or even a majority of cases,” Newman said in an email to The Voice. “This would cause an even greater delay in justice for victims of crimes, defendants and their families.”
Newman also criticized media coverage of how animal abuse cases are handled.
“You guys get an initial incident report and have the guy tried in the news and guilty before the case is even indicted,” Newman said. “This newspaper seems to be concerned with folks being sentenced to prison.”
A recent investigation by The Voice, which reviewed publicly available court records online, found that virtually none of the Fairfield County animal abuse cases prosecuted by the solicitor’s office resulted in a prison sentence.
“The likelihood of a person with little or no previous record going to prison is very slim,” Newman said.
Final reading of the county’s animal control ordinance is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 10.
WINNSBORO – After three years of handwringing over amendments to the county’s animal cruelty law, council is expected to have the second of three required readings Monday night on the matter. The proposed changes in the law are not going to be made public, however, until the agenda is released for Monday night’s council meeting, which by law does not have to be released until 24 hours prior to the meeting, according to County Council Chairman Billy Smith.
In an interview with The Voice, Smith said the amendments to the ordinance do not outlaw tethering altogether, but they do set some minimal guidelines to better protect animals and give law enforcement more guidance when responding to complaints. He said the amendments will also address housing, sustenance, transportation and punishment for those who abuse the ordinance.
Smith said the draft ordinance is still in the hands of the county’s attorney, Tommy Morgan.
“What we’re looking at on tethering is a minimum of 12 feet on length of tether and a weight limit of not more than 15 percent of the animal’s body weight,” Smith said.
While Smith said he thinks the use of a swing chain as a tether will be outlawed outright in the ordinance, the only other proposed restriction on tethering is that the tether must be connected to a swivel.
Smith said the amendments will also address appropriate housing and sustenance for animals and will call for limits on how long an animal can be confined while being transported.
Smith said the ‘up to’ dollar amount for fines is still being tweaked.
“As drafted, the maximum fine is $500,” Smith said. I’d like to move that to $1,000, but I understand there may be some legal concern on that. I am working with our county attorney to try and better understand that.”
So would members of the Hoof and Paw Benevolent Society, who have been pressing council for years to update the 11-year-old ordinance. Smith said Hoof and Paw members had input into the ordinance.
“I think this ordinance is not going to be what we ultimately want for animals, but it is a step forward,” Hoof and Paw board member Kathy Faulk said. “I think it’s the best we can get right now. Like Billy, we would expect to see punishment up to $1,000. It must be enough to be a deterrent.”
Paula Spinale, also a member of Hoof and Paw, said she remains optimistic that the proposed ordinance will pass.
“There are so many dogs that are on chains 24/7 in this area,” Spinale said. “Somebody needs to help them.”
“County ordinances, by law, can’t penalize people to the extent state law can,” Smith said. “The state can charge with felonies, for example, and counties can only charge with misdemeanors.”
For more egregious crimes against animals, however, county officers can charge offenders under state laws such as ‘Ill Treatment of Animals.’
Council’s first reading last month of the amended ordinance was in title only, meaning council members voted on the measure without any formal discussion or making the ordinance public.
Public comments can be made on Monday evening. Speakers are allowed three minutes per person and the session is limited to 30 minutes.
County council meets at 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 26 at the County building, 350 Columbia Road, Winnsboro.
