By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

Newberry County Council recognized six Newberry County employees for their years of service. From the left are James Henderson III, Shannon Murphy, Jesse Snelgrove and Matthew Womack.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_DSC_0276.jpgNewberry County Council recognized six Newberry County employees for their years of service. From the left are James Henderson III, Shannon Murphy, Jesse Snelgrove and Matthew Womack. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

NEWBERRY COUNTY — Newberry County Council approved first reading of an ordinance that would authorize the county’s annual equipment lease purchase payment, not exceeding $710,000.

“Since 2010, the county has entered into leases for equipment, typically for emergency services and public works. The lease-purchases have a term of four years and two weeks,” County Administrator Wayne Adams said. “All lease purchases, along with the county’s public works facility installment-purchase bond, are paid annually from the proceeds of a single general obligation bond issued in December. These bonds are repaid in the spring of each year.”

According to Adams, there are two benefits to this financing method. The first, using debt service, rather than operating funds, prevents expenditures for heavy rolling stock from being subject to Act 388 millage increase limitations. The second, using a debt instrument that consists of only the annual principal and interest payments due, rather than the full amounts of the purchase, greatly reduces the impact of the county’s debt limit.

The first reading was approved after Councilman Scott Cain made a motion and Councilman Kirksey Koon seconded.

In other business, council approved a resolution consenting to the conversion of Pioneer Frozen Foods South Carolina Inc. to Pioneer Frozen Foods South Carolina LLC. The resolution also authorizes an amendment to the fee agreement and related documents between Pioneer Frozen Foods and Newberry County.

“This resolution changes nothing concerning the substance of the company’s existing fee in lieu of taxes agreement. It merely changes the county’s corporate structure description from an incorporated entity to a limited liability company,” Adams said.

Other business

• Council recognized the following employees for their years of service to the county: James Henderson III, Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, five years; Jesse Snelgrove, Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, five years; Matthew Womack, Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, five years; Deana Linowski, Probate Office, 10 years; Michael Stribble, Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, 15 years; and Shannon Murphy, Auditor’s Office, 20 years.

• A public hearing was held for an ordinance providing the appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016, and ending June 30, 2017, for the Newberry County budget. The general operating budget is balanced, revenues and expenditures, at $23,871,762. A public hearing was also held for an ordinance providing the appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year for Newberry County Library, Piedmont Technical College and Newberry Agency for Disabilities and Special Needs. This Community Service Levy budget is balanced at $862,262.

• A budget work session is scheduled for May 23 at 7 p.m.

• During an executive session, council evaluated Adams and Laurie Renwick, clerk to council. After coming out of executive session, Councilman Henry Livingston said that it was the consensus of council that both were doing an exemplary job.

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