Here is a recap of the Simpsonville City Council meeting on April 28.
Advanced $29.4M budget with tax increase
Council unanimously voted to advance several ordinances related to its over $29.4 million budget for fiscal year 2026-2027.
If everything is approved, the budget would go into effect on July 1, and would include:
- A $61 Public Works Enterprise Fund fee increase to replace city sanitation equipment and continue to offer services.
- A 5 mil increase for unincorporated Greenville County taxpayers who live in the 21-square-mile fire service area. This item will be taken by city staff to the Greenville County Council Finance Committee meeting on May 11. If approved by the County Council, the millage increase would account for $825,000 of the budget.
- A 2 mil property tax increase to adjust the city employees’ pay to the 50th percentile among Simpsonville’s peers.
- A master lease agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management that would first replace two minibuses used by the city’s senior center and 42 old vehicles.
- A 10-year capital improvement plan.
- Transferring $497,500 for future capital projects and over $11.5 million in bond proceeds from the Capital Projects account to fund the downtown revitalization project.
Other budget highlights are:
- Adding three jobs to the fire department, two positions to public works, one person in City Hall and 1.5 jobs at Heritage Park.
- Purchasing a patch truck, snow play, roll cart storage building, utility trailer, and bucket truck for Public Works; and two golf carts with blue lights for the police department.
- Replacing the windows and HVAC system at the senior center, and the roof and door operators at fire station no. 2.
- Rebuilding the floor at the Woodside Gym.
- Transferring money to Capital Projects Fund for the first of four payments for a new fire truck, which will be delivered in 2030.
These items will go before the City Council for initial approval on May 12.
Advanced: Amendment of old City Hall agreement
Council advanced an addendum to amend the Burdette North Development Agreement, which concerns 2.44 acres at 118 and 124 N.E. Main St., which was home of the former Simpsonville City Hall and SunTrust Bank.
The applicant, Blue Ridge Holdings LLC, requested the following amendments, including:
- The city’s cooperation for the construction of a possible parking structure if the developer can acquire the Secured Advantage Federal Credit Union Property at 116 N.E. Main St.
- Amend its construction schedule once a practical completion date is determined for the streetscape project.
- Allow for temporary use of the site as a laydown yard for the streetscape project’s equipment and materials.
Council approved a rezoning request for the development at its April 14 meeting.
This item will go before the City Council for approval on May 12.
Other items
Council voted to unanimously advance multiple items, including:
- A modification of the city’s fiber franchise agreement to limit the number of providers in a designated area.
- A resolution to allow City Administrator Tee Coker to execute automatic aid agreements between the city and neighboring fire departments and districts. If approved, this will allow for nearby fire departments to be automatically dispatched to a scene instead of the city having to request assistance.
- A resolution to relocate the statue of Dr. L. L. Richardson from its location on North Main Street to the circular pad between Council Chambers and East Curtis Street. If approved, the statue would also have a garden installed around it.
- Appointment of Community Relations Specialist Justin Campbell as city clerk.
These items will go before the City Council for approval on May 12.
Staff reports
During his report to the Council, Coker provided a couple of updates, including that staff issued a request for proposals for city banking services the week of April 27, and Walker Consultants has completed a demand and supply analysis, which will inform its recommendations for future downtown parking facilities.
Another staff report highlight came from Campbell, who announced a text line to keep the community updated on the downtown revitalization project. Residents are asked to text “Downtown Simpsonville” to 32871 for more information.
