RIDGEWAY – After approving its FY 2024-25 budget of $627,411, at its regular June 13 Ridgeway town council meeting, councilmembers unanimously approved awarding $10,000 of its Hospitality Tax revenue to the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce. Chamber president Dillon Pullen came before council requesting the funds, saying it would be used to promote tourism in […]
Fairfield’s budget deferred; vote reset for June 24
June 13, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield leaders backed off approving final reading of the 2024-2025 budget in the face of push back from the community and one council member over concerns about adequate pay for Sheriff’s deputies. Fairfield residents peppered council members with complaints over the budget, saying it failed to adequately compensate sheriff deputies. Chief Deputy Brad […]
Lack of transparency overshadows Fairfield County’s FY2024-25 budget
June 6, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – Transparency concerning the county’s FY2024-25 budget has been a bone of contention since April when the budget process began. “I don’t think we’re ready to pass a budget right now,” Randy Bright said when addressing council during a public hearing for the budget that was held in the afternoon at a special called […]
Fairfield’s draft budget has $2.5 million shortfall
April 25, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – It’s another budget year and once again, Fairfield County likely has to dip into reserves to deliver a balanced budget. On Monday night, council members voted unanimously to approve first reading of the proposed $44.6 million budget. Two more readings are required to finalize the budget. Because Fairfield County Council chooses to vote […]
Court stays Town of Winnsboro’s solid waste payments
April 18, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – The Town of Winnsboro is entitled to an order staying the requirement for payment of a monthly $63 per ton waste disposal fee to the Fairfield County government, Judge Brian Gibbons, Chief Administrative Judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit ruled last week. The stay was ordered until a final order of the Court […]
Fairfield County Council tables Comp Plan following criticism for inaccuracies
April 11, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council deferred second reading of its comprehensive plan – already four years overdue – after a private resident noted numerous significant errors in the draft document. On Monday night, the council voted unanimously to table second reading until the next meeting in two weeks. Interim administrator Clay Killian said tabled votes […]
Auditor issues county clean opinion and material weakness
March 14, 2024 By
Audit Presented Late for Third Consecutive Year WINNSBORO – Fairfield County failed to follow “certain accounting, reporting, and reconciling procedures,” resulting in incomplete and inaccurate financial reporting, according to the 2023 audit. Mauldin & Jenkins, the Columbia financial firm that conducted the audit, issued a “material weakness” in the audit. The material weakness stems from […]
Killian begins whittling down County’s $1.4M IRS penalties
March 7, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – Clay Killian is a strong, patient man who sees the big picture, according to one of his closest former colleagues. Aiken County Chairman Gary Bunker, who worked with Killian for over a decade, says Fairfield County’s new interim administrator brings a plethora of experience and is adept at seeing the big picture. “There […]
Admin reports on appeals for $1.4M
February 29, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County is looking into ways to appeal approximately $1.4 million in IRS debt and penalties that came to light in December. On Monday night, interim administrator Clay Killian outlined a series of steps he’s pursuing to try to cancel as much of the IRS debt as possible. In a report to council, […]
Recognizing Excellence
January 25, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – At Monday night’s County Council meeting, Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley was honored for being named the SCASA Secondary Principal of the Year. Swilley, principal of Fairfield Central High School, was surprised with the award on Dec. 8, 2023 at school. “She has earned a reputation for developing positive relationships with students, parents, and […]
