Florence County Council is scheduled Thursday to hold public hearings on financial agreements for economic development projects and recognize employees for their years of service.
One of the ordinances scheduled for public comment is an infrastructure financing agreement with Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises Inc., which filed in January for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The company, which produces materials for cardboard boxes, has its Florence County facility on Paper Mill Road east of Florence. It also has a Dillon County plant, in Latta.
The agreement with Smurfit-Stone would give the company special-source revenue credits, which apply against property taxes it would have otherwise paid. The credits will be worth 40 percent of the company’s payment in lieu of taxes resulting from an $18 million investment in Florence County, according to county documents.
Council also will hold a public hearing regarding fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreements with Wellman Plastics Recycling and JP Morgan Chase.
Wellman has announced its plans to resume three-shift operations seven days a week in Johnsonville, which would result in a taxable investment of at least $3 million and create at least 100 new full-time jobs, county documents state.
JP Morgan Chase, meanwhile, is planning a project that would be located in a multi-county park jointly operated by Florence and Williamsburg counties, according to Florence County documents. The project would be a taxable investment of at least $2.5 million and create at least 250 new full-time jobs within five years, the documents state.
The fees would be determined by applying a 6-percent assessment ratio to the economic development property’s fair market value and using a fixed millage rate for 20 years.
Council also is scheduled to hold public hearings on two ordinances that would amend separate agreements with Williamsburg and Marion counties in order to add properties at business parks operated jointly with those counties.
All ordinances scheduled for public hearings are up for second readings and must pass third readings before going into effect.
Thursday’s meeting will take place at the community building in Lynches River County Park, between Coward and Effingham.
Following the meeting, the county’s employee recognition ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. Officials will recognize employees with five to 35 years of service with the county as of Dec. 31.
The meeting agenda also includes a presentation by Florence County Emergency Medical Services Director Ryon Watkins, who will discuss an effort between his department and local hospitals regarding the pre-hospital treatment of patients suffering heart attacks.
IF YOU’RE GOING
WHAT: Florence County Council regular meeting and employee recognition
WHEN: Meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday; recognition to follow at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Lynches River County Park, 1110 Ben Gause Road, Coward
INFO: Call Clerk to Council Connie Y. Haselden at (843) 665-3035
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