Daniel Prince
Council to hold final votes on fee agreement for MycoWorks and redistricting ordinance
Union County Council will hold two public hearings and its regular monthly meeting today. Starting with today’s meeting, the location shifts back to council’s normal meeting place for the first time since the pandemic began. The hearings and meeting will be held in the Grand Jury Room at the courthouse at 210 West Main Street.
The first public hearing will begin at 4:30 p.m. Council will receive comments from the public concerning community needs and priorities for housing, public facilities, and economic development. At 5:30 p.m., a public hearing will be held to receive comments from the public on the proposed ordinances for a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement for Project Vidar and for the development of a new joint county Industrial and Business Park for Project Vidar. As previously announced, Project Vidar is MycoWorks, who last month announced a $107 million investment and 400 new jobs in the county.
Council’s regular meeting will begin immediately following that last public hearing. They will discuss Jacob’s Well’s use of the prior Buffalo Senior Center building. Dr. Randy Lowell will attend with an update on USC Union. James Knox and Ben Breazeale will address council, giving an overview of broadband buildout in Union County. They are both officials with Charter Communications. Council will consider a request from the Rotary Club to place trailers at recycling centers for collecting aluminum cans. They will consider requests to fill vacant budgeted positions. They will discuss sheriff’s office vehicles. They will then consider any requests for capital funds, as well as appointments to vacant positions on boards and commissions. Tim Black with the Union County Council on Aging will give an update and discuss van funds. Council will then discuss airport property. Finally, they will talk about Lockhart matching funds.
After receiving any reports from elected officials, council will vote on two resolutions. One would provide matching funds for the Regional Infrastructure Grant, while the other would provide the required match for funding to make upgrades to the Buffalo Mill Village Park.
Council will then hold third and final readings on three ordinances. The first is the fee agreement for Project Vidar. The second is for a joint county Industrial and Business Park for Project Vidar. The final ordinance deals with redistricting of County Council districts based on the 2020 Census results.
Supervisor Frank Hart will give his report followed by any committee reports. Council will then enter executive session to discuss personnel and contractual matters. The public is invited to attend the public hearings and regular meeting. It will be streamed live on the Frank Hart Union County Supervisor Facebook page.