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Tag: Fairfield County Council

  • Council offers FMH $1.6M

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield Memorial Hospital has accepted Fairfield County’s offer of $1.3 million to buy three parcels, with an option to acquire a fourth for an additional $285,000.

    The vote came at the end of a special meeting of the hospital’s board of trustees Tuesday, one day after Fairfield County Council approved presenting the deal to the board.

    Hospital board members were very complimentary of the county’s work in assembling the proposed deal.

    “They really did a good job to pull this off in a timely manner like they did,” said board member James McGraw. “Hats off to Fairfield County.”

    Board member Randy Bright agreed.

    “That’s a continuation of the great job they did working with the state, Providence [Health] and us in pulling Providence into here so that we have a continuation of medical care in the county,” Bright said. “This council has done a great job in moving us forward.”

    The motion the hospital board approved states the hospital “agrees to accept the county’s draft offer, including purchase price, pending legal review by the hospital’s attorneys.”

    Billy Smith, chairman of Fairfield County Council, was pleased to see such a quick turnaround.

    Smith noted the council thought it was important to release details of the deal after first reading, even though deals of this nature are typically kept confidential until third reading.

    “It is a big deal and a big number,” Smith said. “We wanted folks to look at that and give any feedback.”

    Fairfield County is offering $1.3 million to buy three parcels from Fairfield Memorial Hospital, with an option to buy a fourth for $285,000, according to a proposed contract the county released Monday.

    Two parcels consist of medical office buildings. Portables occupy the third parcel, though Smith said the county was interest in that piece of property to improve access to the office buildings.

    The property with the option is the rehabilitation center.

    Smith has said the intent behind purchasing the properties is to preserve the general practitioner offices and rehabilitation center. He still hopes a private provider can step in and operate the rehab center.

    “The purpose was not to be a real estate baron,” Smith said. “It’s to provide services in the county. We’re hoping we can get a user in there, a good provider for the citizens.”

    At Monday night’s council meeting, the council approved a motion authorizing Smith to present terms of the deal to the hospital.

    The council also approved first reading of an ordinance authorizing the purchase of hospital property “for public use or other uses deemed fit by the council and other related matters,” according to the measure approved Monday night.

    Two more readings, as well as acceptance by the hospital, are required to finalize the deal.

    Terms of the deal have been hashed out over the past several months in executive session. Monday night’s presentation of the proposed contract was the first public disclosure of the deal.

    Both votes were unanimous. Council members Mikel Trapp and Douglas Pauley were absent.

    Fairfield County has been discussing for months the possible purchase of property from Fairfield Memorial Hospital, which has been struggling financially. The hospital is in the process of closing.

    In addition to listing a purchase price and option, the proposed deal also contains a stipulation that the county pay $250,000 to Fairfield Memorial Hospital within 10 days of execution of the agreement.

    Funds would be credited toward the purchase price and used by the hospital to cover day-to-day operational expenses, the document states.

    Fairfield County would pay an additional $10,000 upfront, with the money going into an escrow account. The county would pay the remaining balance to the hospital by the closing date, though that date isn’t specified in the proposed document.

    In May, Fairfield County voted to begin negotiations with the hospital to purchase some of its properties. At the time the parcels appraised for about $1.6 million, and $1.9 million with the rehab center included, Smith said.

    County Council approved a memorandum of understanding a month later. In that document, the council voted to purchase some or all of the property. It added a stipulation that a $400,000 lien against the hospital be satisfied before any sale could take place.

  • Council sweetens Taylor’s contract

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield County’s administrator and clerk to council are getting raises.

    Following a lengthy executive session that included six discussion items, Fairfield County Council voted unanimously to extend County Administrator Jason Taylor’s contract for another year.

    The council also voted to increase the period of compensation in the event of termination without cause to two years.

    Lastly, council members approved a 3.44 percent pay raise, increasing Taylor’s salary from $123,997.60 to $129,297.52.

    “Jason, I think you do a great job,” said Billy Smith, the council’s chairman.

    Smith announced in June that he wouldn’t seek re-election when his seat expires in December.

    “I’m going to miss you when I’m gone,” Smith said.

    Smith had similar words of praise for Clerk to Council Patti Locklair. She received a pay raise of 4 percent by unanimous vote of the council.

    “I’m going to miss working with you,” Smith said.

    Both Taylor and Locklair received similar pay raises last year, with Taylor receiving a contract extension last year as well.

    Taylor was hired as the county administrator in May 2016. He came to Fairfield County from Jasper County, where he was previously the town administrator for Ridgeland since 2002.

    He also spent eight years with the S.C. Department of Social Services and four years as Saluda County’s economic development director.

    Also discussed in executive session were items relating to the purchase of property at the Fairfield Memorial Hospital site.

    In addition, council members discussed a contractual matter concerning “Discussion of Funding in Accordance with the County’s Contract on Emergency Room Services with Providence/LifePoint and Fairfield Memorial Hospital.”

    No action, however, was taken on either item.

    At the June 25 meeting, council members voted to present a memorandum of understanding to Fairfield Memorial to purchase “some or all” of the property. The council voted in May to open negotiations leading to a possible purchase agreement for two medical offices and the rehab facility.

    The hospital property must be unencumbered by liens or other attachments to the title, according to the motion approved in June.

    Hospital officials said following the board’s June meeting that those talks have been positive.

    As to Providence Health, Fairfield County and the Columbia-based health provider have partnered to build a new emergency room, which is being built off U.S. 321 bypass across from Bi-Lo.

    County Council has pledged $1 million annually for 10 years to Providence Health in support of the new ER.

    At the Fairfield Memorial Hospital board meeting in June, Joseph Bernard with Providence Health told trustees the facility should be completed in November, with a grand opening of the ER possible by mid-December.

    Advertising for jobs should begin sometime this month, Bernard said.

  • County ups fees on dumping, loose pets

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield County is one vote away from imposing higher fees for some animal control and dumping services.

    But as county officials note, the extra charges are user fees, meaning only people using those services will pay more money.

    At Monday night’s meeting, council members voted unanimously on second reading of the revised fee schedule, which requires a third reading to become law.

    County Administrator Jason Taylor said the fees are part of a broader effort to streamline the county’s fee system for simplicity.

    “We have tried to restructure how we do fees in general as far as the way they’re included in our budget,” Taylor said. “It also makes it easier to understand if they’re all in one place.”

    As it relates to animal control and dumping services fees, Taylor noted they were strictly user fees to offset costs of providing county services.

    “They’re not blanket fees, they’re not fees charged to everyone,” he said. “They’re only fees charged to those who use those services.”

    According to the proposed ordinance, animal owners would be assessed $25 anytime Fairfield County Animal Control is called to lasso their loose pet. Revenues collected would cover the cost of animal control officer response, the ordinance states.

    Commercial and non-residential haulers are also targeted in the second fee structure.

    Taylor said there’s been an uptick in commercial haulers using the county’s wood chipping facility, prompting the new fee.

    “We have a lot of commercial people who are coming in dumping. We think they should pay,” he said. “They are making money off the service that we provide, so it’s fair for them to have to pay a fee.”

    Fees proposed in the ordinance use the following structure:

    • Permit fee | $15 (required annually),
    • Single axle truck load | $20 per load,
    • Dump truck or single axle truck with trailer | $30 per load,
    • Tandem dump truck or larger | $40 per load.

    Revenues from the dumping fee “shall be used for the cost associated with the disposal of some of the solid waste collected at its waste collection sites in Fairfield County,” according to the ordinance.

    Only one person spoke during a public hearing that preceded the vote.

    Randy Bright of Ridgeway pressed council members to provide specifics of the fee, as well as the justification for it.

    “Anytime you hear new fees, new taxes, you get a little leery and you become very inquisitive because that impacts our lives as much as anything when the government or anybody takes money away from us,” Bright said. “Who does that impact the most? Those who can afford it the least, the lower income.”

    Councilman Cornelius Robinson asked about recreation fees.

    Though not part of the ordinance approved Monday night, Robinson said the recreation rental fee deserves a second look.

    “My concern is … you have some citizens who want to utilize recreation for actual recreation,” he said. “Some are concerned the fee isn’t high enough due to tying up the ability to play basketball.”

    Council Chairman Billy Smith said he thought the $25 per hour fee was fair.

    “I wouldn’t disagree with the assessment personally,” Smith said.

    Robinson said he’d still like to revisit recreation rental fees.

    “I know we still are in the beginning stages of revamping our [recreation] department, which is better than it was, I would say,” Robinson said. “It’s just something we should think about down the road.”

    In related business, the council approved a companion ordinance that amends the budget and authorizes the supplemental appropriation of funds.

    Taylor said the ordinance essentially adds the loose animal and wood chipping fees into the budget as revenues and expenditures. That ordinance also passed unanimously.

  • County leases facility for RW library

    The old Ridgeway Post Office is being renovated for the temporary library.

    RIDGEWAY – During a special meeting last week, county council voted unanimously to execute a two-year lease on the old Ridgeway post office property at Palmer and Jones streets for a temporary library site in the town.

    The deal includes an option to renew for another two years and possibly purchase the property. Rent would cost $850 a month the first year and $892 a month in year two.

    Fairfield County Administrator Jason Taylor said at its previous location, the library had already been paying $600 a month out of its millage for operations. The county would pick up the difference, he said.

    “[The property owner] wanted to go up in the other two years, and we pushed back on that,” Taylor said. “We looked at a number of locations and did determine this was the best. Others would need a lot more upfitting, or had no parking or would be much more expensive.”

    When the time comes to build a permanent site, the county will consider pursuing a Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, to help pay for it.

    Eric Robinson, director of the Fairfield County Library has told Council that the library board wants the permanent site to be in the town.

    Ridgeway resident Moses Bell, who has announced he is running for the Ridgeway District 1 seat on county council, voiced concerns at the June 25 council meeting that the proposed temporary site is near what Bell said is a liquor store.

    Bell told council members he was contacted by a woman who called him, hysterical about the temporary site at Palmer and Jones street.

    “She had stated that in many municipalities, they have ordinances stating that liquor stores and bars cannot be located next to a public building,” he said. Bell did not identify those municipalities or the ordinances.

    Bell said he wants a library built outside the town next to the county waste and recycle center.

    Councilman Dan Ruff, who represents District 1 on county council, said the Palmer and Jones site is only temporary, noting the long-term plan is to build a permanent library elsewhere.

    “We’ve looked and looked. I’ve been looking for months for a good location,” Ruff said. “This one became available.”

    “We’ve been without a library for a year now,” Ruff continued. “We don’t want to wait two to four years until we can get another permanent site.”

    As for the library’s surroundings, Ruff didn’t see any issues.

    “Actually there’s a road and a cyclone fence before you get to the convenience store (City Gas) which has a liquor store attached,” Ruff said. “There’s also a church behind the liquor store, directly behind it. We have not had any issues with the store and I just don’t think that would be an issue.”

    County administrator Jason Taylor said the county will take over the leased property on July 1, and that renovations should be completed before the start of the school year in August.

    The Ridgeway branch of the Fairfield County Library closed in September 2017. It shut down after the building experienced leaks and mold issues.

    On June 15, the Ridgeway Town Council considered five proposed sites for the permanent library location.

    “[The county] asked us as a council to review some options that have been floating around for a while,” Ridgeway Mayor Heath Cookendorfer said.

    Those sites included:

    • Old Fire Department, Palmer Street
    • Teacherage, Means Street
    • First Citizens Bank property, Palmer and East Church streets
    • Charm Parking Lot, Means and Church streets
    • Fork of U.S. 21 and S.C. 34.

    Ridgeway Council members identified the Teacherage location as the preferred site, with the Charm Parking lot location as the runner-up.

    The Town of Ridgeway owns the Teacherage site. Fairfield County would have to purchase the Charm Parking lot site, though Cookendorfer said that when the county leaves a location, the property typically reverts back to the town.

  • County inches closer to hospital property purchase

    WINNSBORO—As Fairfield Memorial Hospital prepares to close its doors, Fairfield County is moving forward with plans to acquire some of the hospital property.

    On Monday night, council members voted unanimously to present a memorandum of understanding to Fairfield Memorial to purchase “some or all” of the property.

    No dollar amounts were mentioned, though the motion said a price would be determined at a later date based on the fair market value.

    The property must also be unencumbered by liens or other attachments to the title, according to the motion.

    Council Chairman Billy Smith previously has said the properties of interest to the county were appraised at about $1.9 million including the rehab center, and $1.6 million without the center.

    Smith has also said the hospital has a lien of about $400,000 against it from the S.C. Department of Revenue. The lien would have to be cleared up according to the terms of the county’s memorandum of understanding.

    Applauding the vote was Laura Willingham, director of the hospital’s rehabilitation center.

    “We’re very thankful that the county has stepped in,” she said. “I think that was pretty much going to happen. The county was behind us, and we’re thankful for that.”

    At the May council meeting, Willingham spoke openly about issues concerning hospital finances and the treatment of employees.

    Willingham said she ran into no repercussions for speaking her mind.

    “I feel like the residents of Fairfield County deserve to have rehab here. They need it,” she said. “It needs to stay here in the county.

    Fairfield Memorial’s board of trustees discussed the county’s memorandum in executive session at its meeting Tuesday.

    No decisions were made and while trustees said they couldn’t discuss specifics, they said the discussions with Fairfield County have been highly positive.

    “It was an important board meeting for us,” said Catherine Fantry, chairwoman of the hospital board. “We received information from the board in a positive manner.”

    Earlier in Tuesday’s meeting, there was extensive discussion about hospital finances and plans for disposing of assets. An executive from Providence Health also gave a presentation about the healthcare provider’s plans for Fairfield County.

    Trustee Randy Bright asked several questions concerning Fairfield Memorial’s transition action plan, specifically staffing as well as how the hospital’s assets would be disposed.

    Darlene Hines, the hospital’s chief operating officer, said some employees may leave before the hospital closes later this year. Others may be offered positions with Providence Health, she said.

    “We’re keeping track of every employee that we have here,” Hines said, adding that the hospital was also tracking its leadership structure as well.

    Bright asked about patient rooms. Hines said the hospital still has to keep the facility’s 25 beds to comply with licensing requirements.

    Later in the meeting, Joseph Bernard with Providence Health provided a general timetable for construction of its Fairfield County facility at the bypass across from Bi-Lo.

    Bernard said Providence anticipates advertising for positions in the coming days, possibly into early July.

    Construction, he said, should be completed in November with a grand opening of the emergency room possible by mid-December.

    “Everything remains on track as far as we’re concerned,” Bernard said.

    Related:  Council makes offer to FMH,  Board to list hospital for sale,  Council wraps up budget requests, Providence, County break ground for ER

     

     

  • Fairfield settling Pauley lawsuit

    WINNSBORO—Fairfield County plans to settle a lawsuit its former recreation director filed earlier this year.

    Lori Schaeffer, the county’s former recreation director, filed suit against the county and Councilman Douglas Pauley in February 2018, saying in court documents that Pauley improperly inserted himself into recreation operations.

    Schaeffer was later terminated.

    Fairfield County initially sought to dismiss the suit. At Monday night’s meeting, however, the county voted to settle.

    In a 4-1 vote, the council approved a motion authorizing “the payment of an amount equal to, but not to exceed, the amount currently authorized by its insurer for final resolution of the Schaeffer lawsuit against the County and Councilman Pauley,” the motion states.

    Councilman Mike Trapp cast the lone dissenting vote while Pauley recused himself. Council Chairman Billy Smith was absent.

    The council didn’t state a dollar figure in its motion, and only the motion itself was available after the meeting.

    In Fairfield County court documents, Schaeffer said Pauley frequently interjected himself into recreation department affairs, even after being advised by County Administrator Jason Taylor to not do so.

    “Taylor said he had specifically informed Defendant Pauley that he should not be getting involved in the day-to-day operations and that he does not understand why Defendant Pauley does so despite his instruction,” the suit states.

    Schaeffer’s suit goes on to say that she and the entire recreation department were placed on a Performance Improvement Plan by the county, or PIP, in June 2017. She was dismissed in October 2017.

    In its response to the suit, attorneys for the county and Pauley asked for the case to be dismissed.

    The county’s response denies Schaeffer’s characterization of her conversation with Taylor. It also states “the disciplinary notices contained in Plaintiff’s personnel file speak for themselves.” The response also notes that South Carolina is a right to work state.

    In a separate motion for judgment that Pauley filed, the councilman said he was entitled to a favorable judgment because his inquiries into the recreation department were part of his legislative duties.

    “As a member of Fairfield County Council, Defendant Pauley therefore, as a matter of law, was not a third party capable of interfering with any alleged contract Plaintiff claims to have had with Fairfield County,” the motion states.

    Related:  Lawsuit filed against Councilman and County,  Pauley, County answer lawsuit

  • Town of Winnsboro resists tougher animal control laws

    WINNSBORO – Winnsboro leaders think Fairfield County is barking up the wrong tree by asking the town to emulate the county’s animal control ordinance.

    On Monday night, Winnsboro Town Council members resisted the request, saying the county’s law is overly superfluous and restrictive.

    “I think the ordinance is relatively lengthy and cumbersome and may impose some difficulty and cost in enforcing it,” said Winnsboro Mayor Roger Gaddy. “We still have to deal with issues with animal control without passing something consistent with the county.”

    For example, Gaddy said he opposes a provision that would limit households to owning three dogs or less.

    “I have six, and as far as I know they’re not a nuisance,” Gaddy said. “I don’t want an ordinance limiting the number of dogs I have as long as they behave and believe me, they’re treated right.”

    Councilman John McMeekin said he was open to enacting a reasonable animal control ordinance, but noted the town needs adequate resources to enforce the law.

    Councilman Clyde Sanders agreed with Gaddy that the county law was burdensome, but also said he’d support higher fines for animal abuse. He proposed increasing animal cruelty fines to $500.

    “The one thing I would like to see the town do is have a fine of that amount,” Sanders said. “I can’t stand seeing dogs chained in the yard without anything to eat. If we catch someone, the fine ought to be high enough to prevent them from doing it.”

    Winnsboro Police Chief John Seibles said officers handle several animal cruelty cases, including a few felonies. He noted manpower is the greatest challenge.

    “We don’t have a full-time dedicated animal control officer, though our officers do a good job with that,” Seibles said. “If it is on the books, we’d be charged with enforcing it in some kind of way, but we don’t have the means to.”

    Council members accepted the county’s request as information, but took no action.

    “We have ordinances on the books that we don’t enforce now unless someone complains about it,” Gaddy said. “I don’t want us to vote on something if we’re not able to fulfill the letter of the law.”

    In other business, the council voted unanimously to appoint McMeekin as an ex-officio member to the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce.

    The vote mirrors a similar action Fairfield County Council took last month.

    On May 14, the council voted to authorize the chairman to appoint a county council member to the board as a condition of receiving its annual grant of $87,507 in its entirety.

    The county’s appointee can vote, but cannot hold an office, such as president or secretary. The town’s appointee, however, would serve as an ex-officio member with no voting powers.

    “I think it would be a great idea. I think it would help give the chamber input from the town, and give a liaison from the town the opportunity to let us know what’s going on with the chamber,” Gaddy said. “There can be a line of communication, but not conflicted when it comes to voting on matters affecting the chamber.”

    First reading of the budget and annual tax levy by title only was also on the agenda Monday night.

    Second reading and a public hearing on both budget ordinances will take place at the next council meeting.

  • Gilbert, Brandenburg seek District 7 seat

    WINNSBORO – As County Council Chairman Billy Smith has announced that he will not seek re-election to his council seat representing District 7, two candidates have announced their intentions to run for that seat.

    Gilbert

    Clarence Gilbert sent a letter to The Voice this week declaring his intentions to seek Smith’s seat.

    A Fairfield native, Gilbert, 65, is not new to political life. Although he has not run for public office, he is currently the vice-chairman of the Fairfield Memorial Hospital Board. He has also served on the Behavioral Health Substance Abuse Board for six years and serves on the Deacon Board at St. Mark Baptist Church in Simpson where he also serves as chairman of the stewardship ministry and is a founding father of the Brotherhood Ministry. He also sings in the Brotherhood Choir.

    Gilbert has owned his own business, Gilbert’s Landscaping and Lawn Services, for 18 years. He is married to Deloris Gilbert and they have two adult sons and four grandchildren.

    Brandenburg

    Lisa Brandenburg has also filed to run for Smith’s seat. Brandenburg, who is employed as Coordinator of Intervention in special services for the Fairfield County School District, has been employed by the District for more than 30 years, serving as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. While Brandenburg has not held public office, she was recently a candidate for the Fairfield County School Board.

    Brandenburg is married to David Brandenburg and they have two adult children. David Brandenburg ran against Smith for the District 7 county council seat in 2014.

    Related: Smith: ‘I won’t seek reelection’,  Letter: I am Running for District 7

     

  • Smith: ‘I won’t seek reelection’

    Council chair ushered in meeting order, efficiency

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council Chairman Billy Smith told The Voice on Tuesday that he will not see re-election to his council seat representing District 7. His term ends Dec. 31.

    Smith

    “My wife has accepted an associate professor position at Louisiana State University, so we’ll be moving to Baton Rouge over the course of the next year. She’ll be moving a little bit earlier than me. I’ll finish out my term on Council and wrap up some other things here, and then I’ll move as well, after the first of the year,” Smith said.

    Smith was, by at least 20 years, the youngest member of council when he was elected to represent District 7 in 2014, during a tumultuous government turnover that changed the council’s balance of power. In spite of his youth, Smith was soon elected chairman by his fellow council members and assumed a strong leadership role. Smith brought a new era to council, conducting orderly, efficient meetings with a strict adherence to parliamentary procedure.

    “Rachel and I would have preferred staying in Fairfield, but we’re having to make the decision that’s best for us and our future. It’s a really good opportunity that we just can’t pass up. It’s one of those things in life that you don’t have much control over,” Smith said.

    The couple was married last month following Rachel (Williamson) Smith’s spring graduation from the University of Georgia with a PhD in industrial-organizational psychology.

    While Smith, who grew up in Fairfield County, said he is looking forward to the couple’s new adventure, he said he is disappointed to have to leave the work he and the council have been devoted to for the last three and a half years.

    “Serving on council has been an extremely rewarding and humbling experience. I was elected at a time that I was able to really kind of dig in and help the county move forward,” Smith said. “We have a good, cooperative council now, and I think we’ve made a lot of big strides. A couple highlights of my time on council are that we managed to find and hire one of the best, most talented administrators in the state, and that we’ve helped to keep 24-hour emergency medical care in the county. Now we’re working, among other big things, toward keeping doctor’s care, primary care, local, and that’s important. We’ve made some good headway in economic development by setting a path for infrastructure improvements, so that the county can capture some of the projects as they come to the state,” Smith said.

    Smith said he feels the county is on a firm footing right now.

    “We’ve made great progress. The good news is that with a combination of citizens who care, council members who care and an administration that cares, we are doing the right things,” Smith said. “The county is on the right track, a positive track, and is headed in the right direction. Now we just need to keep it there and continue to invest in infrastructure, water and sewer, and our future. We should be successful if we do that, if we focus on the right priorities.”

    County Administrator Jason Taylor said he and the staff that works closely with Smith will miss him greatly.

    ”Working with Chairman Smith has been a pleasure,” Taylor said. “He is smart, fair and has proven to be a decisive leader. I have always appreciated his approach to decision making. He makes every effort to make an informed decision, based on facts, while also taking into consideration what is best for all of our citizens. His tenure as chairman coincided with some of the most difficult days in the County’s history, but throughout the abandonment of reactors 2 & 3 at VC Summer, Chairman Smith stood strong, and never wavered in his commitment to doing everything he could to improve things for the citizens of Fairfield County. I am proud to have worked with him.”

    Smith said he will continue to work hard on council until his term ends on Dec. 31.

    “We’ve got some important work to do,” he said. “I’m not just going to sit back for the rest of my time here. No one who knows me, I’m sure, expects that I will become disengaged just because my tenure is ending. I’m not that type of person. I’m driven and I’m going to keep focused on what we have to do, to help set the table for Fairfield County’s future.”

    Related: Gilbert, Brandenburg seek District 7 seat

  • Council makes offer to FMH

    Liens, Other Conditions Pose Threat to Sale

    WINNSBORO – In a 6-1 vote Tuesday, council members voted to negotiate a purchase agreement with Fairfield Memorial Hospital to acquire select properties, including doctor offices and the rehab center.

    Councilman Mikel Trapp dissented.

    “[The hospital] knows if they don’t have an infusion of cash by ‘X’ date what that means to them,” Council Chairman Billy Smith said after Tuesday’s meeting. “That was one reason for putting this out tonight, to put the ball in their court to show the citizens that the county is willing to work something out.”

    The motion from Councilman Dan Ruff and approved by council Tuesday night authorizes the Fairfield County administrator and attorney to enter into negotiations with the hospital for purchase of some of its property.

    It also requires a conveyance of clean title and other conditions before any deal is reached, and also for a contract to be brought back for council member review.

    The vote came following a lengthy executive session that also included discussion of a legal update on the county’s lawsuit against SCANA, another legal matter concerning a former employee, and an economic development update of potential contracts.

    Council members only voted on the hospital negotiations. There was no discussion from the dais regarding the measure.

    Tuesday’s vote comes two weeks after the rehab center’s director spoke openly about problems employees face at the hospital.

    “We question and don’t quite understand decisions made by administration, such as finances, priorities at this stage of the game and treatment of employees,” Laura Willingham, the hospital’s rehabilitation director, said. “Of course we’ll do what we’re asked to do. But it’s still disconcerting.”

    “We’re interested in the two medical office buildings – the one housing Fairfield Medical Associates and the John Martin Primary Care facility,” Smith said. “The appraisal for those two is right at $1.6 million. If we add the rehab facility, that appraisal jumps up to about $1.9 million.”

    Smith said there is no timeline, nor a specific dollar figure the county has in mind.

    “We discussed a price, but don’t have a solid number yet,” Smith said. “We’re not settling on a dollar figure.”

    Money, however, isn’t the only issue.

    Smith said the hospital is facing several liens, including one he said was in the neighborhood of $400,000 from the S.C. Department of Revenue.

    The Voice couldn’t independently verify late Tuesday the extent of liens the hospital faces because that information wasn’t available on the Fairfield County Clerk of Court/Register of Deeds website.

    Smith said the immediate concern is ensuring the hospital can get its liens removed. He hopes a deal can be made as soon as possible to preserve general practitioner offices and the rehab facility.