FAIRFIELD COUNTY — As many as 1,000 to 1,600 residential units could be coming to Fairfield County if Fairfield County Council approves a request from Haven Homes to rezone 392 acres from Industrial (I-1) zoning to Residential 2 (R2) zoning. The property, bordered by Gum Springs Road, Devil’s Race Track and Highway 34, was rezoned […]
Public comments limited as accusations of bad behavior fly
September 14, 2023 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council Chair Douglas Pauley announced at Monday night’s council meeting that council would no longer allow the public to speak during the second public comment session of council meetings. In that session, speakers are allowed to address any issue concerning the county. Pauley said the decision to eliminate that session was […]
Fairfield County Council to raise taxes, borrow $3.5M, spend $100K more on RW rec center
August 31, 2023 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council is one vote away from enacting a tax increase – two months after approving the county’s annual budget. In a 5-2 vote, council members voted to approve an eight-mill increase, increasing the tax rate from 182.3 to 190.3 mills. Council members Shirley Greene and Tim Roseborough voted in opposition. The […]
Council recommends sending wastewater to the Broad
July 13, 2023 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council members unanimously want to dispose of further debate about the direction it takes with the proposed wastewater treatment plant. On Monday night, council members voted 7-0 to recommend that the Fairfield County Joint Water Sewer Authority adopt the proposed Broad River discharge site over Cedar Creek. Council members concluded that […]
Letter: Save the Farmers Market!
July 13, 2023 By
I am asking County Council to please support the Fairfield Farmers & Artisans Market by removing the rental fee recently implemented for the use of the building on market days. The market is an asset to citizens, farmers, and county businesses. Fairfield County is a designated food desert, and the market is a way for […]
Late Fairfield County audit reveals $95M in adjustments
June 29, 2023 By
WINNSBORO – Incorrectly maintained ledgers requiring nearly $96 million in adjustments more than tripled the amount of time originally projected to complete the county’s annual audit, now six months late. The bulk of that $96 million consisted of Dominion settlement funds, unreconciled transactions, and assorted banking records. For future audits, auditors recommended additional training for […]
Guest Editorial: County’s budget planning falls short
June 1, 2023 By
I attended the May 4 budget meeting where the department heads told council what money they needed for the coming fiscal year, the majority of which were increases from the current fiscal year. There were a few things I expected to see during this meeting but didn’t. First, I expected to see all seven council […]
Fairfield County Council blasts complaints
April 27, 2023 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council members are pushing back against criticisms that little progress is being made on routine fiscal, administrative and other county matters. Specifically, residents have railed against the council over thin agendas, tardy audits, lack of transparency, not working toward filling the vacant County Administrator post and failure to move forward in […]
Pauley to lead new council; Gilbert elected vice chair
January 12, 2023 By
WINNSBORO – Four county council members were sworn into office Monday evening during the regular council meeting. Douglas Pauley (District 5) and Clarence Gilbert (District 7) were re-elected to office, both serving their second full four-year terms. Also sworn in were newcomers Dan Ruff (District 1) and Peggy Swearingen (District 3). The four newly elected […]
Bell votes for funding that both he and his wife could receive
December 22, 2022 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council finished some last minute Christmas shopping Monday night, voting at a special called meeting to spend $1.2 million in taxpayer money, including $922,000 in one-time, non-itemized employee bonuses. The vote passed 5-0, with Councilman Doug Pauley abstaining, while Councilman Neil Robinson was absent. The ordinance as originally crafted provided $286,000 […]
