The Fort Mill Town Council convened for its final meeting of the year on December 15, 2025, blending celebratory recognitions with essential administrative actions. The meeting opened with emotional tributes to retiring employees Mitzy Blackmon and Charles “JJ” Bennett for their decades of service, alongside a state-level award presentation for Procurement Manager Phillip Aycock. On the legislative front, the Council unanimously approved changes to the duration of the residential development moratorium to align with ongoing comprehensive planning efforts. Additionally, the Council authorized a new easement for school access and passed a significant budget amendment involving over $8 million in general fund balance. The session concluded with the adoption of the 2026 meeting schedule and holiday well-wishes.
Detailed Agenda Summary
1. Call to Order and Minutes
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Opening: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. at Council Chambers on 205 N. White Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation.
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Public Comment: No citizens signed up to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting.
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Approval of Minutes: The Council unanimously approved minutes for six previous gatherings, including the October 1 Special Called Meeting, October 27 Council Meeting, November 10 Workshop, November 17 Council Meeting, December 8 Workshop, and December 11 Special Called Meeting.
2. Presentations
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Retirement Recognition: Mayor Savage recognized Mitzy Blackmon and Charles “JJ” Bennett for their dedication to public service.
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Mitzy Blackmon: Recognized for 23 years of steady and dependable service to the community.
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Charles “JJ” Bennett: Recognized for 26 years of service, with Mayor Savage describing him as someone who “sets the standard for professionalism and customer service.”
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Excellence in Public Service:
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Phillip Aycock: Eric Davis presented the recognition for Phillip Aycock, who was named “Procurement Manager of the Year” by the South Carolina Association of Governmental Purchasing Officials (SCAGPO). This award acknowledges his leadership in establishing the town’s first formal procurement department and promoting transparency and integrity.
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3. Old Business
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Residential Moratorium Amendment: The Council held a public hearing and second reading for an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2025-16.
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Purpose: To change the duration of the temporary moratorium on accepting and processing applications for rezoning or annexation of new residential developments.
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Discussion: No public comments were made during the hearing. Councilman Chris Pettit noted the change allows the town to diligently complete the new comprehensive plan, downtown master plan, and parks and recreation plan before lifting restrictions in 2026.
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Action: The ordinance was approved unanimously.
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4. Executive Session
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Negotiations: The Council entered an executive session to discuss negotiations incident to proposed contractual arrangements.
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Outcome: The Council returned to the public session without taking any vote on the matters discussed.
5. New Business
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Item #1: Perpetual Easement: The Council considered the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the Town Manager to execute a perpetual easement across town property (York County Tax Map #020-08-01-021).
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Details: The easement crosses the recreation complex property to access a school site located behind it.
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Action: The motion was approved unanimously.
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Item #2: Budget Amendment: The Council reviewed the first reading of an amendment to the budget for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026 (Amendment #26-04).
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Details: Debbie Kratochvil presented the amendment, which involves utilizing $8,315,000 of the general fund balance to support the ongoing comprehensive plan and future efforts.
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Action: The budget amendment was approved unanimously.
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6. Information/Discussion
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2026 Schedule of Meetings: The Council reviewed the schedule for 2026.
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Schedule: Meetings will generally be held on the second and fourth Mondays of the month, consisting of one workshop and one regular meeting per month.
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Exceptions: Adjustments were made for May, November, and December to accommodate holidays.
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7. Adjournment
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Closing Comments: Council members shared holiday greetings and reflected on the year’s events, including the Christmas parade and tree lighting. Council also wished Mayor Guynn Savage a happy birthday.
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Conclusion: Mayor Savage thanked the staff and council for their hard work in 2025, and the meeting adjourned.
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