Florence County Council at its Thursday meeting in Lake City will hear specific solutions for improving air quality and hold public hearings on a new county museum board.

The race for Florence County Council’s District 4 seat is heating up as Republican Betty Dowling, a Florence School District 4 board member, is challenging incumbent Democrat Mitchell Kirby.

Florence County Council vice chairman Waymon Mumford has won the South Carolina Association of Counties’ President’s Cup for the second year in a row.

Florence County’s proposed options for new judicial facilities range from the current site to the Effingham jail and are projected to cost between $21.8 million and $41 million.

Florence County Council on Thursday will hear its options for a proposed new judicial facility that would offer more space as well as security improvements. Councilman James Schofield said Thursday’s presentation from Southern Management Group’s Tom Baldwin presentation will be an “informational meeting” for council.

Florence County’s acting elections director is serving as interim director following the dismissal of Mike Young, who in May was suspended without pay.

Florence County is asking a court to declare as invalid a petition for a referendum to cut the county’s $30-per-vehicle road maintenance fee in half.

Monster, an online job recruitment and careers resource, is one step away from an exemption from state Sunday work prohibitions to ensure that it can operate its future Florence County customer service center around the clock.

Florence County and city planning officials have been on the move to new facilities lately, which means those in need of permits will have to get them at a different — although more convenient — location

Florence County Council has moved a step closer to approving economic incentives for “Project JLL,” a projected $28 million investment that will bring 750 jobs to the area.

Florence County Council will vote Thursday on second reading of economic incentives for “Project JLL,” anticipated to be a $20 million investment that will create 500 jobs in the county.

Florence County Councilman Ken Ard, who represents Distict 2, which includes Johnsonville, met with the Johnsonville City Council at their regular June 3 meeting.

Florence County Citizens In Action is accusing the county of improperly spending $72,630 on a new roof for the Timmonsville Boys & Girls Club, but the county says it is legal.

Florence County Council has approved third and final reading of its fiscal year 2008-09 budget, which includes a 2 percent hospitality tax on prepared food and beverages.

Florence County Council will hold a public hearing Thursday on the final budget for the current fiscal year.