Florence City Council on Monday unanimously approved a letter of support to the Housing Authority of Florence to provide up to $1 million in-kind support for the proposed Rosewood Village along Oakland Street.

Florence City Council deferred until Monday a request from the Housing Authority of Florence to provide a letter of support for $1.1 million to $1.2 million in-kind contributions to Rosewood Village to be located along Oakland Street.

The documents for an $18.9 million water pollution control revolving loan using stimulus funds were executed by Florence Mayor Stephen J. Wukela on Thursday, marking the first step toward financing and beginning construction of a new Florence Regional Wastewater Management Facility.

Florence Mayor Stephen J. Wukela will execute documents for an $18.9 million water pollution control revolving loan using stimulus funds, according to a press release issued Thursday afternoon by the city of Florence.

Florence City Council during a special Monday adopted an operating budget of $64,716,500 that doesn’t include any millage increases, but does include an extra $200,000 because of a change in the business license revenue projection. It also doesn’t include adoption of the capital budget, which will be considered at another meeting.

Florence city leaders continue to struggle with a decision on next year’s budget. Mayor Stephen J. Wukela held a press conference Thursday morning informing media outlets of a potential tax increase, which would provide funding for a new fire department and additional police officers.

An ordinance that would finalize the city of Florence’s budget for the upcoming year was put on hold once again after city council members voiced differing opinions on how to solve the looming budget shortfall.

Florence City Council members are considering a proposal that would prohibit youngsters who aren’t in school from being in public places during school hours.

A special Florence City Council meeting to discuss the 2009-2010 budget was derailed Thursday afternoon when talk of cutting out-of-state travel expenses erupted. Councilman Bill Bradham said the current policy needs revising with new members on council. He said he was going to suggest that council eliminate all out-of-state travel, effective July 1.

The five-hour Florence City Council budget debate Wednesday was interrupted by allegations that Mayor Stephen J. Wukela and two city councilmen were doing business on the city’s behalf behind other council members’ backs.

Florence City Council gave first reading to a proposed $64,516,500 fiscal year 2009-10 budget that includes no tax increases five hours into a special meeting Wednesday.

Florence City Council during a special meeting Thursday approved annexation of property along Old Mars Bluff Road that will be developed by Roundstone Development.

The city of Florence is set to give $3 million toward the construction Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center.

“We had 22 items on the agenda during the retreat and only got to about a dozen of them,” Florence City Manager David Williams said. “This was an attempt to cover items we didn’t get to.”

Florence Mayor Stephen J. Wukela and three city council members were present during a special meeting for an overview of the fiscal year 2009-2010 water, sewer and stormwater utilities budget Wednesday afternoon.