NEWBERRY COUNTY — Newberry County Council passed a resolution last week declaring the results of the Capital Project Sales Tax Referendum as having been passed by voters 11,607 to 5,115.

The resolution passed after Councilman Scott Cain made a motion and Councilman Travis Reeder seconded.

The first 11 projects will receive funding from a combination of money carried over from the current CPST Referendum (2010) and bond proceeds against collections from the upcoming CPST (2016). Once the bonds from the 2016 CPST are paid off, collections will be applied to the number 12 project.

The following projects were listed on the ballot:

• 800 MHz Emergency Services Radio System, $7,400,000

• City of Newberry: Recreational Complex Construction, $4,075,000

• County of Newberry: Newberry Museum, $2,200,000

• City of Newberry: Opera House HVAC Improvements, $155,000

• Town of Prosperity: Recreational Complex Improvements, $770,000

• Consolidated Fire District: Water Supply Improvements, $1,000,000

• Town of Whitmire: Town Hall/Police Department Remodel/Upgrades, $1,000,000

• Town of Pomaria: Old Pomaria School Building Renovation, $655,000

• Town of Little Mountain: Computer Center and Library Upgrades, $245,000

• Town of Silverstreet: Demolition of Old School Building/New Walking Track, $700,000

• Newberry County: Detention Center Repairs/Improvements, $1,600,000

• Newberry County Water and Sewer Authority: Mid-Carolina Commerce Park, $1,400,000.

In other business, Kenneth McBride, director of the Department of Social Services, gave an update on Newberry DSS.

According to McBride, 3,267 families in Newberry are on food stamps, a number that includes 6,894 people for a total benefits amount of $854,095.

“When I came here three years ago, we were issuing over a million a month,” McBride said.

As of September 2016, Child Protective Services had a total of 313 intakes, 170 investigations, and 84 indicated cases.

As of this month, there are 19 children in regular foster care. McBride said that number was between 33 and 42 three years ago, and the number of children placed in this county is four.

McBride said there is a need for at least eight foster parents in Newberry County.

The following Newberry County employees were recognized for their years of service to Newberry County: Lori Smith, five years; Theresa Ammons, 10 years; Lisa Davis, 10 years; Beth Mayner, 10 years; Sherri Williams, 10 years; Harold Edgins, 15 years; Johnny Willis, 15 years; and Thomas Nichols, 25 years.

Newberry County employees recognized for their years of service to Newberry County included Lori Smith, five years; Theresa Ammons, 10 years; Lisa Davis, 10 years; Beth Mayner, 10 years; Harold Edgins, 15 years; and Thomas Nichols, 25 years. Not pictured are Sherri Williams and Johnny Willis.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_DSC_0420.jpgNewberry County employees recognized for their years of service to Newberry County included Lori Smith, five years; Theresa Ammons, 10 years; Lisa Davis, 10 years; Beth Mayner, 10 years; Harold Edgins, 15 years; and Thomas Nichols, 25 years. Not pictured are Sherri Williams and Johnny Willis. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @ TheNBOnews.