FLORENCE — A City/County Conference Committee has been formed to address issues of mutual interest and concern to Florence City Council and Florence County Council.
Representatives from both city and county governing bodies announced formation of the committee Monday at the Florence City-County Complex.
Florence City Councilman Steve Powers is chairman of the city committee, while Florence County Councilman Al Bradley chairs the county post.
Other city members are Billy D. Williams and Buddy Brand, and other county representatives are Russell Culberson and Johnnie Rodgers.
“I’m proud to be a part of this announcement,” Powers said. “I believe that this is an exciting time for the city of Florence and Florence County. Today, the city and the county announce the formation of a joint conference committee made up of three members of city council and three members of county council to work on issues that affect the city of Florence and Florence County.”
Bradley said the committee’s purpose is to address mutual concerns of the city and county in a cooperative manner.
“I believe by working together — city council and county council — we can assist each other in the projects that we are trying to do alone right now,” Bradley said, “and we can save taxpayer dollars and make better decision by sharing information.”
Both Bradley and Powers said the committee’s first priority is the Florence Museum of Art, Science and History. The committee’s first meeting is Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in county council chambers room on the eighth floor of the Florence City-County Complex.
“We’re going to meet and address all these issues and work out the best way for the citizens of Florence County and the city to make this museum happen,” Powers said. “We all want it, and we want it downtown.
“Everything is going to be out on the table,” he said. “We’re going to work through issues, and we’re going to make it happen. We want to see brick and mortar.”
The prospective museum location would be near the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center on the corner of Cheves and South Dargan streets. Construction began this month on the performing arts center.
The museum, because of its location in the downtown area, would serve as another anchor for drawing crowds and businesses into downtown Florence.
Meanwhile, a $3.9 million grant obtained by state Sen. Hugh Leatherman of Florence toward construction of the new museum is a two-for-one grant, which means it is only viable if two other organizations commit $3.9 million.
The Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation has agreed to fund one part of the two-for-one state match under certain conditions specified in its commitment to Florence County Council, Florence County Councilman James Schofield said in an earlier interview.
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