On the agenda: Gaffney October 5, 2026 — ALPR (Oct 5)

DATE:

10/6/26

FILE NO: DATE687

TO:

Cherokee County Council

SUBJECT:

Minutes of Regular Meeting of 10/5/26

There was a Regular Meeting of County Council Monday, 10/5/26, 5 PM in Council
Chambers. Chairman Spencer presided with Merv Bishop leading in prayer. All Council members were
present except Peter Wilkins. Administrator Bishop, Attorney Mathis and Master Clerk to Council Doris
Pearson were present. The news media was informed by agenda and it was posted in accordance with
the SCFOIA. There were 2 news media present along with 20+ visitors.
Councilman David Smith made the motion to adopt the agenda of the Regular Meeting
of Monday, 10/5/26 as received and posted in accordance with the SCFOIA. Donnie Hardin seconded
and council voted in favor.
Councilman Donnie Hardin made the motion to approve the minutes of the PH &
Regular Meeting of 9/21/26 as received. David Smith seconded and council voted in favor.
Councilman David Smith made the motion to approve to pay the claims for Cherokee
County in the amount of $983,332.44 as presented. Donnie Hardin seconded and council voted in
favor.
Councilman Donnie Hardin made the motion to adopt 2nd Reading of Ordinance No.
2026-26 to amend Ordinance No. 2025-08 Chapter 11, Fire Protections & Prevention, by adding Article
III Entitled Outdoor Burning to the Cherokee County Code of Ordinances. David Smith seconded and
council voted in favor.
Councilman Donnie Hardin made the motion to adopt 2nd Reading of Ordinance No.
2026-27 amending Ordinance No. 2026-11 relating to “Opt Out” provisions, providing for severability;
providing a repealer clause; and other matters related thereto. Teresa Bonner seconded and council
voted in favor.
Councilman David Smith made the motion to adopt 1st Reading of Ordinance No.
2026-29 to amend Section 6-1, et seq., of the Cherokee County Code of Ordinances regarding the
adoption of Technical Codes. Donnie Hardin seconded and council voted in favor.
Administrator Merv Bishop stated that the developer of Stonebrook Subdivision has
requested that Melody Lane In Dist. 4 which is approximately .41 miles be taken into the Cherokee
County Road System for county maintenance. It has been inspected and signed off by county staff and
everything is in order. [Councilman David Smith made the motion to adopt Melody Lane into the
County Road System. Donnie Hardin seconded and council voted in favor.]
Sheriff Steve Mueller gave his update of the ALPR (Automated License Plate Recognition)
technology myths vs facts (a copy is attached). After going over several myths/facts, Sheriff Mueller

Page 2 – Minutes of Regular Meeting, 10/5/26
stated the bottom line is ALPR is a proven investigative tool that helps law enforcement find victims,
solve serious crimes, protect communities and save lives.
EMS Director Rob McGraw gave an update on the EMS Department which just passed 90 days of
being an active Cherokee County Ambulance Service. We went through 9 different government agencies
to give us a certificate so we can begin hiring our staff. We have been getting software for our vehicles
but we had to get bin numbers to start the process. A lot of things happened very quickly and it involved
more people than just us. On 6/11/26 we began to hire our personnel and, on that day, we hired 9
people; kept moving forward and hired a total of 57 more employees and we now have 68 people on
board. We began on 7/1/26 receiving calls and in our first 90 days, we received an average of 37.3
call/day. There are still things that we are waiting for. We are still getting applications every day for
employment. Cherokee County EMS is continuing to move forward on not just answering calls but
making sure each person is receiving that high quality of care. We are also working with a lot of outside
agencies to offer more services. (a copy of Rob’s report is attached).
Administrator Bishop had no report.
Councilman Donnie Hardin made the motion to go into Executive Session at 5:31 PM regarding
2 matters: 1) pursuant to Section 30-4-70(a)(2) to discuss negotiations incident to the proposed
purchase of real property located in Blacksburg, as well as to receive related legal advice; 2) pursuant
to Section 30-4-70(a0(5) discussion of matters relating to the proposed location, expansion, or the
provision of services encouraging location or expansion of industries or other businesses in Cherokee
County served by the public body specifically 1) Project Breadbasket and 2) Project Thra. David Smith
seconded and council voted in favor.
Councilman David Smith made the motion for council to come out of Executive Session at 6:32
PM. Donnie Hardin seconded and council voted in favor.
Councilman David Smith made the motion to adopt Resolution No. 2026-10 providing
preliminary approval for certain Property Tax Incentives to induce a company identified for the time
being as Project Breadbasket, acting for itself, one or more current or future affiliates and other
project sponsors to establish or expand certain facilities in Cherokee County, SC including (1) a
negotiated Fee Arrangement; 2) Multi-County Industrial or Business Park Arrangements; (3) Special
Source Revenue Credits; and providing for other related matters. Donnie Hardin seconded and council
voted in favor.
Councilman Donnie Hardin made the motion to adopt 1st Reading of Ordinance No. 2026-31
authorizing the execution & delivery of a Fee in Lieu of Ad Valore Taxes and Special Source Revenue
Credit Agreement by & between Cherokee County, SC, and a Company identified for the time being as
Project Breadbasket, acting for itself and through one or more current or future affiliates, sponsor
affiliates, property-owning entities, operating entities, and other project sponsors, to provide for a Fee
in Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes Arrangement; providing for Special Source Revenue Credits with respect to

Page 3 – Minutes of Regular Meeting, 10/5/26
the project; providing for the designation of the company’s project as part of a Multi-County Industrial
and Business Park arrangement; and providing for other related matters. David Smith seconded and
council voted in favor.
Councilman Elliott Hughes made the motion to re-appoint Teresa Cook to serve another term
on the Cherokee County Public Library Board. David Smith seconded and council voted in favor.
As there was no other business to come before council at this time, Chairman Spencer
adjourned the meeting at 6:35 PM.

APPROVED: 10/19/26

Respectfully submitted,

BY ITS CHAIR: Tim Spencer

Doris F. Pearson, Master Clerk to Council

DATE687