Lancaster City Council Meeting Recap – January 28, 2025

LANCASTER, S.C. – The Lancaster City Council convened on January 28, addressing a range of key topics, including a major federal grant for violence prevention, infrastructure updates, and budget adjustments. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Morin, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call confirming a quorum.

Citizens’ Comments: Calls for Unity and Community Engagement

Reverend Eddie Binns, a school board member and community leader, addressed the council with an impassioned speech about unity and civic engagement. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among different organizations and community members to improve the city for all residents. Binns encouraged citizens to get involved, urging them to find their role in making Lancaster a better place, rather than simply complaining about issues.

Lancaster Awarded Nearly $1.9 Million Federal Grant for Violence Prevention

In a major announcement, Police Chief Don Roper revealed that the Lancaster Police Department has been awarded a $1,889,574 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to support violence intervention and prevention initiatives. Initially rejected in November, the city’s grant application was reconsidered in December, ultimately securing funding to tackle gang and gun violence in Lancaster.

The grant will fund several initiatives, including:

Hiring a full-time gang investigator and a community engagement officer for the Lancaster Police Department.
Developing a strategic violence reduction plan informed by detailed needs and gap assessments.
Implementing intervention programs to address the root causes of violence and support at-risk individuals.
Partnering with the nonprofit Community Powerhouse, led by Reverend Anthony Pelham, to train violence intervention specialists.

Chief Roper emphasized the significance of the grant, noting that only 85 cities nationwide have received this funding in the past three years, putting Lancaster in the company of major metropolitan areas like Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles. City officials celebrated the achievement, calling it a “life-changing opportunity” for the community.

Council Approves Meeting Minutes and Reviews City Reports

Council approved the January 14 work session minutes and moved on to departmental reports for November and December 2024.

Council members inquired about IT system issues that impacted city operations over the past few months. City officials assured them that steps are being taken to address ongoing concerns, including:

Moving essential data, such as digital evidence, to cloud storage.
Hiring a new IT director.
Implementing new cybersecurity measures to prevent future disruptions.

Council members praised city staff for keeping residents informed about temporary payment processing issues due to the IT disruptions.

Financial Reports: Budgeting for Growth and Infrastructure Needs

Finance Director James Absher provided an overview of the city’s financial status, reporting that Lancaster remains on stable financial footing despite some cash flow challenges before tax revenues arrive.

Key highlights included:

Property tax revenues, which make up 70% of city revenue, will start coming in after January 1, significantly improving cash flow.
Building permit revenue has already surpassed projections for the entire fiscal year, indicating continued city growth.
Hospitality tax collections are in line with budget expectations, despite increased event spending.
Water and sewer revenue is slightly above projections.
Solid waste fund is recovering, with commercial and residential waste services stabilizing.

Absher also provided an update on a federal Office of Management and Budget directive that temporarily paused some federal grants. He assured the council that most city grants are unaffected, except for the Economic Development Administration grant for West Meeting Street and traffic safety grants.

Council Appoints Members to City Boards and Commissions

The council filled multiple vacancies across various city boards:

International Building Code Board of Adjustments and Appeals – Appointed Matt Green.
Mechanical Board of Appeals – Appointed Steve Porter.
Fire Prevention and Appeals Board – Appointed John Snipes.
Planning Commission – Appointed Steve Beckham, following a council vote over another nominee.

Council members also discussed the remaining vacancies and encouraged residents to apply.

Design Updates for Downtown Traffic Control Box

City officials presented design proposals for a traffic control box at Arch and Main Street, part of an ongoing effort to beautify the downtown area. The front panel of the box will feature a historical tribute to Lancaster, while the side panels will depict local landmarks, such as Fishing Creek Reservoir.

Council members suggested incorporating a theme of community unity to reflect Lancaster’s diverse population. City staff will refine the designs and return with final proposals in the coming months.

First Reading of Mid-Year Budget Adjustments Approved

Council approved the first reading of the city’s mid-year budget adjustment, which accounts for unplanned expenses and new projects. Major budgetary changes include:

$1.2 million for purchasing the old post office and an adjacent parking lot.
$540,000 for engineering costs related to the Main Street waterline replacement project.
$152,000 for a bar screen at the wastewater treatment plant.
$78,000 to migrate digital evidence storage to the cloud.
$123,800 to transition the city’s ERP (financial software) system to cloud-based storage.

A second reading will be required before the budget changes take effect.

Upcoming Budget Planning Sessions Scheduled

City officials scheduled the first 2025-26 budget workshop for Saturday, March 8, at 9:00 a.m.. Departments will present their proposed goals and budget priorities for the next fiscal year. Council members were encouraged to attend and provide input.

Executive Session and Adjournment

Council entered an executive session to discuss two undisclosed matters. No votes were taken during the closed session. Upon returning to open session, council members moved to proceed with actions discussed during the session.

With no further business, the meeting adjourned.