On the agenda: Oconee County Backup Material — automated license plate (Aug 18)

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF OCONEE

PROCLAMATION 2026-08
A PROCLAMATION HONORING THE WESTMINSTER 10U & 12U
ALL-STAR SOFTBALL TEAMS ON THEIR 2026 SOUTH CAROLINA
ATHLETIC PROGRAMS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
WHEREAS, the Westminster 10U and 12U All-Star Softball Teams displayed
outstanding dedication, determination, teamwork, and sportsmanship during the 2026 South
Carolina Athletic Programs State Championship Tournament and;
WHEREAS, both teams competed in multiple games throughout the three-day
tournament held at Riverview Park in North Augusta, South Carolina from June 19 through June
21, 2026; and
WHEREAS, through countless hours of practice, commitment, perseverance and
teamwork, both the Westminster 10U and 12U All-Star Teams were able to capture the title of
2026 South Carolina Athletic Programs State Champions ; and
WHEREAS, these accomplishments are a testament to the dedication, hard work and
leadership of the coaches and assistant coaches, together with the continued encouragement and
support provided by the players’ families and community; and
WHEREAS, the outstanding achievements of the Westminster 10U and 12U All-Star
Softball Teams are a source of great pride for their families, coaches, the Westminster
Community and the citizens of Oconee County.
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Oconee County Council, wish to acknowledge and
congratulate the Westminster 10U and 12U All-Star Softball teams on their win of the 2026
South Carolina Athletic Programs State Championship.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 18th day of August, 2026.
OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

ATTEST:
_____________________________________
Jennifer C. Adams
Clerk to County Council
Oconee County

APPROVED:
_______________________________
Matthew Durham
Chairman
Oconee County Council

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF OCONEE

ORDINANCE 2026-24

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF
EASEMENT RIGHTS TO UPCOUNTRY FIBER FOR THE
PURPOSE OF UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION
AND MAINTENANCE AT PROPERTY OWNED BY OCONEE
COUNTY, LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF NEBO
CHURCH ROAD AND HARBIN ACRES ROAD, SENECA, SOUTH
CAROLINA, SUCH PROPERTY CURRENTLY IDENTIFIED BY
TAX PARCEL NUMBER 256-00-04-031; AND OTHER MATTERS
RELATED THERETO.
WHEREAS, Oconee County owns certain real property in the vicinity of the Oconee
County Regional Airport near the intersection of Nebo Church Road and Harbin Acres Road; and
WHEREAS, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Inc., through its broadband division,
Upcountry Fiber, has requested a utility easement consisting of approximately fifty feet (50') by
fifty feet (50') for the installation of an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) facility and related
telecommunications infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the proposed easement area is located adjacent to an existing Blue Ridge
Electric Cooperative utility pole, allowing efficient connection to existing electric distribution
facilities necessary to serve the OLT site; and
WHEREAS, the County Council finds that expansion of broadband infrastructure
promotes the public health, safety, and welfare by improving access to reliable high-speed internet
service for residents, businesses, public institutions, and emergency services throughout Oconee
County; and
WHEREAS, the County Council has determined that granting the requested utility
easement is in the best interests of Oconee County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the County Council of Oconee County,
South Carolina, in meeting duly assembled:
Section 1.
Grant of Easement. The County Administrator is hereby authorized to
execute, on behalf of Oconee County, a perpetual utility easement in favor of Blue Ridge Electric
Cooperative, Inc., for the benefit of Upcountry Fiber, over an area measuring approximately fifty
feet (50') by fifty feet (50'), or 2,500 square feet, subject to a final survey and legal description.

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Section 2.
Easement Location. The easement shall be located on County-owned
property near the intersection of Nebo Church Road and Harbin Acres Road, in the vicinity of the
Oconee County Regional Airport, adjacent to an existing Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative utility
pole. The precise location shall be established by a survey prepared by a licensed South Carolina
Professional Land Surveyor and incorporated into the easement document.
Section 3.
Permitted Uses. The easement shall permit the construction, installation,
operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and removal of:
- An Optical Line Terminal (OLT) building or cabinet;
- Fiber optic cable and conduit;
- Underground and overhead electrical service;
- Grounding systems;
- Communications equipment;
- Security fencing;
- Utility appurtenances;
- Driveway or gravel access as reasonably necessary; and
- Any other facilities reasonably required for broadband service operations.
Section 4.
Access. Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and Upcountry Fiber shall have
reasonable ingress and egress across County property for construction, maintenance, inspection,
repair, replacement, and operation of the facilities, utilizing routes approved by the County
Administrator or his designee.
Section 5.
Maintenance. Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative shall maintain the easement
area and all improvements located therein at its sole expense and shall restore any disturbed County
property to substantially the same condition existing prior to construction or maintenance
activities.
Section 6.
Compliance. The Grantee shall comply with all applicable federal, state,
and local laws, including applicable airport safety, FAA, zoning, stormwater, environmental, and
building regulations.
Section 7.
Indemnification. Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative shall indemnify and hold
harmless Oconee County, its officers, employees, and agents from claims arising from the
Grantee's construction, operation, or maintenance of the facilities, except to the extent caused by
the negligence or willful misconduct of Oconee County.
Section 8.
Recording. Following execution, the easement and accompanying legal
description shall be recorded in the Oconee County Register of Deeds.

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Section 9.
Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance is determined to be invalid,
the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 10. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective upon third reading
and approval by the Oconee County Council.
ADOPTED by the Oconee County Council this _____ day of __________, 2026.
ATTEST:
Jennifer C. Adams
Clerk to Oconee County Council
APPROVED AS TO FORM:

County Attorney, Oconee County

First Reading:
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
Public Hearing:

2026-24

July 21, 2026
August 04, 2026
August 18, 2026
August 18, 2026

Matthew Durham
Chair, Oconee County Council

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF OCONEE

ORDINANCE 2026-25

AN
ORDINANCE
FOR
THE
PRESERVATION,
REDEVELOPMENT, AND SALE OF THE HISTORIC OCONEE
COUNTY COURTHOUSE LOCATED AT 211 W. MAIN ST.
WALHALLA, SOUTH CAROLINA; AND OTHER RELATED
MATTERS.
WHEREAS, the Oconee County Council recognizes the former Oconee County
Courthouse as a historically significant public structure that contributes to the architectural and
cultural heritage of Oconee County; and
WHEREAS, the County has determined that demolition of the structure may cost
approximately Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000), while redevelopment through private
investment may provide a fiscally responsible alternative that preserves the structure and reduces
taxpayer expense; and
WHEREAS, the County desires to provide one final opportunity for private
redevelopment before proceeding with demolition while continuing demolition planning to protect
the interests of the County.
NOW THEREFORE, be it ordained by County Council in meeting duly assembled that:
Section 1.
PURPOSE. The purpose of this Ordinance is to promote the preservation
and redevelopment of the former Oconee County Courthouse through private investment while
protecting the financial interests of the taxpayers of Oconee County.
Section 2.
PROPERTY. This Ordinance shall apply to the portion of Tax Map Number
500-15-13-001 associated with the former Oconee County Courthouse located at 211 West Main
Street, Walhalla, South Carolina, excluding Patriots Hall and the Oconee Military Museum
property.
Section 3.
MARKETING AUTHORIZATION. The County Administrator is
authorized to execute an Exclusive Right-to-Sell Agreement for a period not to exceed nine (9)
months. The property shall be listed for sale at $100,000 and aggressively marketed to qualified
developers, investors, preservation organizations, and other interested purchasers. The listing
broker will receive no compensation, unless the property successfully closes, at which time a six
percent commission would apply, split evenly between listing and buyer representation, if
applicable. The listing broker shall bear all marketing, advertising, photography, signage, and

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promotional expenses. The County shall continue routine grounds maintenance during the
marketing period.
Section 4.
SALE CONDITIONS. Any conveyance shall be by Special Warranty Deed
and shall include redevelopment performance requirements enforceable by the County. The deed
shall contain reversionary rights or other enforcement provisions deemed necessary by the County
Attorney.
Section 5.
REDEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS. Within twenty-four (24) months
of closing, the purchaser shall demonstrate substantial progress toward rehabilitation. Minimum
performance standards shall include:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Structural stabilization of the building.
A roof that is structurally sound and no longer leaking.
Removal of hazardous materials and debris.
Compliance with an inspection certifying Basic Structural Soundness and
Environmental Safety by the Oconee County Building Codes Department.
e. Elimination of major public safety hazards.
Section 6.
REDEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE. Upon certification that the
redevelopment requirements have been successfully completed, Oconee County shall provide a
redevelopment incentive in the amount of One Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars
($1,100,000), subject to the appropriation of funds by County Council. The County shall
additionally waive applicable County landfill disposal fees and County permit fees associated with
the approved redevelopment project, to the extent permitted by law.
Section 7.
FAILURE TO PERFORM. Should the purchaser fail to satisfy the
redevelopment requirements within twenty-four (24) months:
a. No redevelopment incentive shall be paid.
b. The County may exercise any rights reserved within the deed.
c. The County may pursue condemnation, demolition, or any other remedies
authorized by South Carolina law, including recovery of demolition costs where
permitted.
Section 8.
CONTINUED DEMOLITION PREPARATION. Nothing contained herein
shall prohibit Oconee County from continuing demolition planning, engineering, environmental
review, permitting, bidding, or other preparatory activities during the marketing period.
Section 9.
SEVERABILITY. If any portion of this Ordinance is declared invalid, the
remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

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Section 10. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately
upon third reading and approval by the Oconee County Council.
ENACTED by the Oconee County Council this ____ day of _______, 2026.
ATTEST:

Jennifer C. Adams
Clerk to Oconee County Council
APPROVED AS TO FORM:

County Attorney
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
Public Hearing:

2026-25

July 21, 2026
August 04, 2026
August 18, 2026
August 18. 2026

Matthew Durham
Chair, Oconee County Council

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF OCONEE

ORDINANCE 2026-26

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 2 OF THE OCONEE COUNTY CODE OF
ORDINANCES BY ADDING AN ARTICLE ENTITLED “PROTECTION FROM MASS
SURVEILLANCE”; TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF COUNTY FUNDS, PROPERTY,
PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT, CONTRACTS, INFORMATION-TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS,
AND OTHER COUNTY RESOURCES FOR PROHIBITED MASS SURVEILLANCE
SYSTEMS; TO PROHIBIT THE PLACEMENT OR OPERATION OF SUCH SYSTEMS ON
COUNTY PROPERTY AND WITHIN COUNTY-CONTROLLED ROAD RIGHTS-OFWAY; TO ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR DISCRETIONARY
COUNTY APPROPRIATIONS, RECREATION FUNDS, ACCOMMODATIONS-TAX
AWARDS, GRANTS, SPONSORSHIPS, AND OTHER COUNTY-CONTROLLED
DISTRIBUTIONS; TO INCLUDE MUNICIPALLY SPONSORED EVENTS AND
MATERIAL IN-KIND MUNICIPAL SUPPORT WITHIN SUCH ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS; TO PREVENT CIRCUMVENTION THROUGH AFFILIATED OR
SEPARATELY INCORPORATED ENTITIES; TO AMEND CHAPTER 30, ARTICLE III,
BY ADDING PERMANENT ACCOMMODATIONS-TAX ELIGIBILITY, DISCLOSURE,
AND ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS; TO AMEND CHAPTER 26 BY PROHIBITING
MASS SURVEILLANCE ENCROACHMENTS WITHIN COUNTY-CONTROLLED
RIGHTS-OF-WAY; AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO.
WHEREAS, Oconee County, South Carolina, the “County,” is a body politic and corporate
and a political subdivision of the State of South Carolina, acting by and through the Oconee County
Council, the “County Council”; and
WHEREAS, S.C. Code § 4-9-25 authorizes counties to enact regulations, resolutions, and
ordinances, not inconsistent with the Constitution and general law of South Carolina, respecting
subjects that counties determine to be necessary and proper for their security, general welfare,
convenience, health, peace, order, and good government, and directs that County powers be liberally
construed in favor of counties; and
WHEREAS, S.C. Code § 4-9-30 authorizes County Council, among other powers, to acquire
and control real and personal property, make and execute contracts, make appropriations for County
functions and operations, provide for accounting and disbursement of funds, regulate County roads
and public works, and enact and enforce ordinances implementing those powers; and
WHEREAS, County Council recognizes a fundamental distinction between the observation of
a particular person, vehicle, device, activity, or event at a specific place and time and the systematic
collection, aggregation, identification, retention, analysis, and sharing of large numbers of
observations in a manner capable of reconstructing the movements, activities, behaviors,
relationships, and associations of persons who are not suspected of criminal activity; and
WHEREAS, Modern surveillance systems may automatically identify, distinguish, classify,
follow, track, or associate persons, vehicles, electronic devices, activities, movements, and locations
through automated license plate recognition, vehicle-feature recognition, facial recognition,
biometric identification, artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, wireless-device

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identification, geolocation analysis, persistent aerial surveillance, and other existing or future
technologies; and
WHEREAS, County Council does not intend to prohibit automated license plate recognition
merely because a system reads alphanumeric plate characters or performs a basic exact-match
comparison against a specifically identified, lawfully maintained hot list, but does intend to prohibit
systems that add historical tracking, external network sharing, warrantless external access, artificial
intelligence, biometric recognition, persistent monitoring, or other capabilities that constitute mass
surveillance; and
WHEREAS, County Council recognizes that a system whose retained information is
inaccessible unless prior individualized judicial authorization is technically verified, and that neither
contributes information to nor is searchable through an external surveillance database or network,
does not present the same mass-surveillance risks as an open, shared, or warrantless system; and
WHEREAS, County Council finds that the indiscriminate collection of identifying or
reasonably linkable information concerning persons who are not suspected of criminal activity, when
combined with artificial intelligence, machine learning, algorithmic analysis, interstate information
sharing, external databases, or access by agencies outside the collecting jurisdiction without prior
individualized judicial authorization, creates substantial risks to personal privacy, freedom of
movement, freedom of association, freedom of religion, political participation, property rights, and
other liberties protected by the United States Constitution, the South Carolina Constitution, and the
traditions of a free society; and
WHEREAS, County Council finds that a person’s movements and activities may reveal visits
to a home, church, medical provider, attorney, political meeting, campaign event, civic organization,
place of employment, school, charitable organization, or other location from which sensitive personal
activities, beliefs, and associations may be inferred; and
WHEREAS, County Council finds that the governmental collection of information from a
place open to public view does not eliminate the heightened privacy and liberty concerns created
when large numbers of individual observations are aggregated into a comprehensive, searchable,
analyzable, and shareable history of a person’s movements, activities, behaviors, and associations;
and
WHEREAS, County Council finds that artificial intelligence and algorithmic analysis can
transform ordinary images, sounds, observations, or electronic signals into detailed profiles,
behavioral patterns, associations, predictions, classifications, alerts, and investigative leads
concerning persons who are not suspected of criminal activity; and
WHEREAS, County Council finds that requiring individualized judicial authorization before
accessing a detailed history of a person’s movements, activities, or associations provides an
important safeguard against indiscriminate, improper, politically motivated, or otherwise abusive
surveillance; and
WHEREAS, County Council does not intend through this Ordinance to direct the conduct of
any specific criminal investigation, interfere with a lawful emergency response, regulate ordinary
cameras located entirely on private property outside County property or County-controlled rights-ofway, alter any duty expressly assigned to an elected official by the general law of South Carolina, or
regulate the operational decision of a constitutional officer or municipal law-enforcement officer to
request, receive, or use lawfully available information from a system that the officer’s jurisdiction

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does not own, fund, contract for, operate, host, maintain, or supply with locally collected surveillance
information; and
WHEREAS, County Council does intend to exercise its lawful authority over County
appropriations, County property, County contracts, County equipment, County personnel resources,
County information-technology systems, County-administered grants, County-controlled road rightsof-way, and other County-controlled resources; and
WHEREAS, County Council finds that County taxpayers should not be required to purchase,
fund, operate, maintain, host, power, connect, or otherwise support a mass surveillance system that
systematically records, identifies, analyzes, or shares information concerning County residents and
visitors who are not suspected of criminal activity; and
WHEREAS, County Council further finds that a municipality or other governmental entity has
no entitlement to receive a discretionary County appropriation, grant, sponsorship, recreation
allocation, capital contribution, or other discretionary distribution of County-controlled funds; and
WHEREAS, County Council finds that it is contrary to County policy and inconsistent with the
County’s stewardship of limited public resources to provide discretionary financial assistance to a
governmental entity that chooses to participate in a prohibited mass surveillance system; and
WHEREAS, County accommodations-tax revenues are intended to promote tourism, attract
visitors, support tourism-related facilities and events, and enhance the experience of persons visiting
Oconee County, subject to the requirements of S.C. Code §§ 6-4-10, 6-4-25, 6-1-520, and 6-1-530;
and
WHEREAS, County Council finds that it is inconsistent with those purposes to use Countyadministered discretionary tourism funds to subsidize a municipality that systematically identifies,
records, catalogs, analyzes, tracks, or shares information concerning the residents and visitors whom
those funds are intended to serve or attract; and
WHEREAS, County Council recognizes that municipalities frequently sponsor festivals and
events through nonprofit corporations, festival boards, committees, chambers of commerce, civic
organizations, fiscal agents, or other separately organized entities; and
WHEREAS, County Council finds that municipal sponsorship may consist of appropriated
money or material in-kind assistance, including law-enforcement details, traffic control, road
closures, barricades, municipal park or street space, public works labor, sanitation, equipment,
insurance, administrative assistance, promotion, utility service, fee waivers, or other governmental
support having material value; and
WHEREAS, County Council finds that the substance and economic reality of a municipality’s
relationship with an event should control over the legal name, tax status, or nominal independence of
the event organizer and that the eligibility requirements established by this Ordinance should not be
circumvented by routing an application or payment through a separate committee, nonprofit
corporation, contractor, chamber of commerce, fiscal agent, or affiliated organization; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 26 of the Oconee County Code of Ordinances and the County’s adopted
encroachment policies regulate activities and installations within County-maintained roads,
easements, and rights-of-way; and
WHEREAS, County Council finds that County-owned property and County-controlled road
rights-of-way should not be used as platforms for prohibited mass surveillance systems, regardless of
whether a camera, sensor, scanner, device, supporting pole, communications equipment, software
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platform, or associated infrastructure is owned by a governmental entity, private vendor, utility
company, contractor, or other person; and
WHEREAS, County Council has determined that the following provisions are necessary and
proper for the protection of the general welfare, preservation of liberty, responsible administration of
County resources, and good government of Oconee County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Oconee County Council, in meeting duly
assembled, that:

SECTION 1. CREATION OF CHAPTER 2 ARTICLE
Chapter 2 of the Oconee County Code of Ordinances is amended by adding a new Article VII,
entitled “Protection from Mass Surveillance,” consisting of Sections 2-500 through 2-516, to read as
follows.

ARTICLE VII. PROTECTION FROM MASS SURVEILLANCE
Sec. 2-500. Title.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Oconee County Protection from Mass
Surveillance Ordinance.”
Sec. 2-501. Purpose and construction.
(a) The purposes of this article are to:
1. Prevent County-controlled funds and resources from being used to acquire, own, fund, operate,
maintain, host, or otherwise support prohibited mass surveillance systems;
2. Prevent County-owned or County-controlled property and road rights-of-way from being used
for the installation, hosting, support, or operation of prohibited mass surveillance systems;
3. Establish uniform eligibility requirements for discretionary County appropriations, grants,
accommodations-tax awards, recreation funds, sponsorships, and other County-controlled
distributions;
4. Prevent circumvention of those eligibility requirements through separate corporations, nonprofit
organizations, festival committees, affiliated entities, fiscal agents, contractors, or other
intermediaries;
5. Protect the privacy, liberty, freedom of movement, freedom of religion, freedom of association,
political participation, property rights, and other rights of Oconee County residents and visitors;
and
6. Ensure that County-controlled funds and resources are administered consistently with the
policies adopted by County Council.
(b) This article shall be construed broadly to accomplish its remedial and protective purposes, but not
in a manner inconsistent with the Constitution or general law of South Carolina.
(c) The capability, configuration, operation, integration, and practical effect of a system shall control
over its brand name, marketing description, nominal purpose, ownership, or characterization by its
vendor or operator.
(d) A system composed of several separately owned or operated components shall be evaluated
according to the collective capabilities and practical effect of the integrated system.
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(e) As applied to an independently elected County officer whose office is created by the Constitution
or general law of South Carolina, this article governs only: (1) the appropriation or expenditure of
County-controlled funds; (2) contracts or procurements entered into by or on behalf of the County
using County-controlled funds; and (3) the installation, ownership, operation, hosting, or
maintenance of a prohibited mass surveillance system on County property or within a Countycontrolled right-of-way over which County Council possesses lawful proprietary or regulatory
authority.
(f) Nothing in this article regulates or prohibits the operational decision of such a constitutional
officer or the officer’s employees to search, query, request, receive, analyze, or use lawfully available
information from a system owned and operated by another entity. Ordinary use of County-provided
office space, personnel, computers, networks, utilities, or communications in the lawful performance
of the officer’s duties does not, standing alone, constitute County acquisition, ownership, operation,
hosting, maintenance, or support of a prohibited mass surveillance system.
Sec. 2-502. Definitions.
For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:
Artificial intelligence or algorithmic analysis
“Artificial intelligence or algorithmic analysis” means artificial intelligence, machine learning,
neural-network processing, computer vision, predictive analytics, pattern recognition, automated
classification, automated decision-making, or another computational process used to identify,
distinguish, verify, classify, compare, rank, associate, follow, track, predict, infer, profile, or generate
an alert concerning a person, vehicle, electronic device, object, location, route, activity, behavior,
characteristic, or association.
The term does not include basic motion detection, image stabilization, cybersecurity filtering,
nonidentifying traffic counting, optical character recognition used solely to read alphanumeric
license plate characters, or a basic one-to-one exact-match comparison of those characters against a
specifically identified, lawfully maintained hot list, unless used as part of a prohibited mass
surveillance system.
Automated biometric recognition
“Automated biometric recognition” means the automated or algorithmic identification, attempted
identification, verification, categorization, reidentification, or tracking of a person based upon a
biological, physiological, physical, or behavioral characteristic.
The term includes recognition or analysis based upon:
1. Face or facial geometry;
2. Iris or retina;
3. Voice or voiceprint;
4. Gait or manner of movement;
5. Fingerprint;
6. Hand, palm, or vein geometry;
7. Body shape or body geometry;
8. Ear shape;
9. Tattoos, scars, birthmarks, or other distinguishing physical features;
10. Clothing or combinations of physical appearance;
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11. Behavioral characteristics; or
12. A mathematical, digital, or algorithmic template derived from any such characteristic.
The term does not include automated face or license plate detection used solely to blur, mask, or
redact identities in a recording or image before disclosure or release, provided the technology is not
used to identify, reidentify, classify, or track a person.
County
“County” means Oconee County, South Carolina, including its departments, agencies, boards,
commissions, offices, facilities, employees, officials, and other organizational units, only to the
extent County Council possesses lawful appropriations, property, contracting, administrative, or
policy authority over them. With respect to an independently elected constitutional officer, the term
does not extend County Council’s authority to the officer’s operational law-enforcement or other
statutory decisions.
County-controlled funds
“County-controlled funds” means any money, revenue, account, appropriation, allocation, grant,
reimbursement, fee, tax revenue, bond proceeds, special-revenue funds, capital funds, Countyadministered state or federal funds, accommodations-tax revenue, recreation funds, council-district
funds, or other financial resources over which County Council possesses legal appropriation,
allocation, contracting, grant-making, or expenditure authority.
The term includes County money transferred to or administered by another governmental entity,
elected office, nonprofit organization, contractor, fiscal agent, committee, or other recipient.
The term does not include money that the County is expressly and unconditionally required by state
or federal law, final court order, binding bond covenant, or preexisting enforceable contract to
distribute to a specifically identified recipient.
Whether forfeiture proceeds, restricted grants, donations, or other funds received or administered by
an independently elected constitutional officer constitute County-controlled funds shall be
determined under controlling law and the terms governing the particular funds. Such funds are not
deemed County-controlled solely because they are received or held by the officer’s office.
County-controlled right-of-way
“County-controlled right-of-way” means a County-owned, County-maintained, or County-controlled
road, street, bridge, shoulder, median, sidewalk, drainage area, easement, right-of-way, or other
transportation corridor, including the space above or below it, within which the County possesses
legal authority to regulate encroachments or uses.
The term does not include an SCDOT-maintained right-of-way or a municipal right-of-way unless
the County possesses a separate ownership interest, easement, maintenance responsibility, or other
legal authority over the particular location.
County property
“County property” means real or personal property owned, leased, occupied, managed, maintained,
or legally controlled by the County, including:
1. Administrative and governmental buildings;
2. Courthouse property;
3. Law-enforcement and detention facilities;
4. Fire, rescue, and emergency medical facilities;

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5. Libraries;
6. Parks and recreation facilities;
7. Solid-waste facilities;
8. Public works and road facilities;
9. County airport property;
10. County quarry property;
11. Communications towers and sites;
12. Parking lots;
13. County vehicles, trailers, drones, poles, signs, bridges, fixtures, utility structures, traffic-control
devices, computer systems, software, accounts, databases, and communications equipment; and
14. Property controlled by a County board, commission, department, agency, district, or authority
to the extent County Council possesses lawful control over the use of such property.
Discretionary County distribution
“Discretionary County distribution” means any appropriation, allocation, grant, award, sponsorship,
contribution, reimbursement, capital assistance, recreation allocation, council-district allocation, inkind assistance, preferential use of County property, or other transfer of County-controlled funds or
resources for which the recipient has no absolute statutory or contractual right to receive a
specifically determined amount.
External agency
“External agency” means a law-enforcement agency, governmental entity, fusion center, task force,
private contractor, vendor, commercial entity, nonprofit organization, or other person or organization
outside the agency or jurisdiction that originally collected the surveillance information.
External surveillance database or network
“External surveillance database or network” means a multijurisdictional, regional, statewide,
interstate, national, international, vendor-controlled, third-party, federated, reciprocal-access, cloudbased, shared, or otherwise interconnected system through which surveillance information may be
uploaded, stored, indexed, searched, transmitted, analyzed, compared, retrieved, requested, or made
accessible outside the jurisdiction that originally collected it.
The term applies regardless of whether the information is physically combined in one database or
remains in separate databases that are accessible through a shared portal, federated search, reciprocal
agreement, request process, vendor-assisted search, or other coordinated process.
Individualized judicial authorization
“Individualized judicial authorization” means a warrant, court order, or other prior authorization
issued by a neutral judicial officer and particularized to a specifically identified person, vehicle,
electronic device, place, offense, or criminal investigation.
The following do not constitute individualized judicial authorization:
1. A user entering an internal reason code;
2. Supervisory approval within the requesting agency;
3. A documented law-enforcement purpose;
4. A vendor’s terms of service;
5. An agency policy permitting access;
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6. A generalized memorandum of understanding;
7. Participation in a shared database or reciprocal-access network;
8. A case number entered by the user; or
9. An audit conducted after access or use has occurred.
In-kind municipal support
“In-kind municipal support” means material assistance, services, property, labor, equipment,
insurance, promotion, fee relief, utilities, or other support provided by or through a municipality
without the event organizer paying the full actual cost of the assistance, or provided on preferential
terms not generally available to similarly situated private applicants.
In-kind municipal support includes, but is not limited to:
1. Dedicated police details, security, traffic control, or law-enforcement personnel;
2. Dedicated fire protection, emergency medical services, rescue, or emergency-management
support;
3. Road or street closures;
4. Barricades, cones, signs, detours, or traffic-control equipment;
5. Sanitation, waste collection, portable restroom service, or cleanup;
6. Public works personnel, vehicles, equipment, setup, teardown, or logistical assistance;
7. Free, donated, discounted, or preferential use of municipal parks, streets, sidewalks, buildings,
parking lots, stages, facilities, or other property;
8. Municipal insurance, indemnification, purchasing, contracting, or fiscal-agent services;
9. Administrative personnel or planning assistance;
10. Electricity, water, communications service, or other utilities;
11. Printing, signs, advertising, website placement, social-media promotion, or other promotional
assistance;
12. Waiver, reduction, reimbursement, or absorption of permit fees, rental charges, personnel
expenses, utility charges, or other costs;
13. Appointment of members to an organizing board, committee, or governing body; or
14. Any other assistance having material financial, operational, organizational, or promotional
value.
Mass surveillance
“Mass surveillance” means the systematic or routine observation, acquisition, collection, recording,
identification, retention, indexing, aggregation, analysis, tracking, or sharing of information
concerning persons, vehicles, electronic devices, activities, movements, locations, behaviors, or
associations when:
1. The activity is not limited to a specifically identified target selected on the basis of individualized
reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or individualized judicial authorization; and
2. The activity collects, processes, retains, or makes searchable information concerning persons
who are not suspected of criminal activity.
Mass surveillance includes systematic collection from persons, vehicles, or electronic devices
generally passing through, present within, or observable from a geographic area.

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Mass surveillance may occur even when:
1. Each individual observation occurs in a public or publicly accessible place;
2. The information is initially retained for a limited period;
3. The information is collected, processed, or stored by a private contractor;
4. The collecting agency states that the information may be used only for law-enforcement or
public-safety purposes;
5. Access is subject to an internal policy, internal approval, case-number requirement, or later audit;
6. Data is stored in separate databases rather than one centralized database; or
7. The system is described as a crime-prevention, public-safety, investigative, traffic-management,
intelligence, or community-safety tool.
Material municipal support
“Material municipal support” means financial, operational, promotional, administrative,
organizational, or in-kind municipal assistance that contributes to the planning, organization,
funding, promotion, location, operation, security, traffic control, setup, cleanup, or other meaningful
function of an event.
The forms of assistance specifically listed in the definition of “in-kind municipal support” are
deemed material when provided for the planned operation of an event.
Municipally sponsored event
“Municipally sponsored event” means an event, festival, program, activity, performance, celebration,
competition, parade, fair, concert, market, exhibition, promotion, or other gathering that is:
1. Organized, administered, controlled, funded, co-sponsored, materially supported, or officially
promoted by a municipality;
2. Conducted by a nonprofit corporation, festival committee, chamber of commerce, civic
organization, contractor, fiscal agent, affiliated organization, or other entity acting in
partnership with or receiving material municipal support from a municipality;
3. Presented or marketed as an official municipal event;
4. Governed in whole or in part by persons appointed by a municipal governing body or municipal
official; or
5. Conducted with material financial or in-kind municipal support.
The substance and economic reality of the relationship shall control over the event organizer’s
corporate form, tax status, legal name, or nominal independence.
The issuance of an ordinary permit, performance of a routine governmental inspection, or provision
of an unplanned emergency response available to the general public does not, standing alone,
constitute municipal sponsorship.
Planned dedicated personnel, donated or discounted services, preferential use of municipal property,
road closures, barricades, public works support, or other event-specific operational assistance
constitute municipal sponsorship.
Participating governmental entity
“Participating governmental entity” means a municipality or other governmental entity that directly
or indirectly:

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1. Owns, leases, purchases, subscribes to, operates, administers, funds, or contracts for a prohibited
mass surveillance system;
2. Installs, hosts, operates, maintains, or permits such a system on property or a right-of-way under
its control;
3. Provides electricity, communications, infrastructure, maintenance, equipment, or other material
operational support for such a system;
4. Contributes surveillance information collected by or on behalf of the entity to an external
surveillance database or network; or
5. Knowingly permits a contractor, vendor, task force, other governmental entity, or affiliated
organization to own, operate, administer, host, maintain, or contribute locally collected
surveillance information to such a system on the entity’s behalf.
A governmental entity does not become a participating governmental entity solely because one of its
law-enforcement officers or employees searches, queries, requests, receives, analyzes, or uses
information collected by a system owned and operated by another entity, provided the governmental
entity does not otherwise engage in conduct described in items 1 through 5 of this definition.
Period of participation
“Period of participation” means the period beginning when an entity first engages in conduct
described in the definition of “participating governmental entity” and ending upon written restoration
of eligibility under Section 2-512.
Personally identifying or reasonably linkable information
“Personally identifying or reasonably linkable information” means information that directly identifies
a person or may reasonably be used, alone or together with other information, to distinguish, locate,
identify, reidentify, follow, track, profile, or associate a person, household, vehicle, or electronic
device.
The term includes:
1. Facial or biometric information;
2. Images or recordings of identifiable persons;
3. License plate information;
4. Vehicle characteristics or vehicle signatures;
5. Geographic location;
6. Dates and times of presence or travel;
7. Cellular, wireless, Bluetooth, network, advertising, or other electronic device identifiers;
8. Voice, audio, or acoustic signatures;
9. Travel routes or location histories;
10. Associations between persons, vehicles, devices, organizations, or locations; and
11. Profiles, classifications, predictions, or inferences derived from such information.
Prohibited mass surveillance system
“Prohibited mass surveillance system” means any fixed, mobile, portable, temporary, vehiclemounted, body-mounted, pole-mounted, airborne, or otherwise deployed camera, microphone,
sensor, scanner, drone, aircraft, communications device, software platform, database, network,
service, artificial-intelligence system, or combination thereof that:

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First, systematically or routinely captures, collects, receives, derives, processes, identifies, indexes,
stores, searches, analyzes, transmits, or shares personally identifying or reasonably linkable
information concerning persons, vehicles, electronic devices, activities, movements, locations,
behaviors, characteristics, or associations in public or publicly accessible places; and
Automated license plate recognition consisting solely of optical character recognition of
alphanumeric plate characters, together with a basic one-to-one exact-match comparison against a
specifically identified, lawfully maintained hot list, does not, standing alone, constitute a prohibited
capability. A system using those functions is prohibited only if it otherwise satisfies this definition
and also possesses, performs, enables, contributes to, or participates in at least one capability listed
below.
Second, possesses, performs, enables, contributes to, or participates in one or more of the following
capabilities:
1. Automated biometric recognition, including facial recognition, when used in or directed toward a
public or publicly accessible place;
2. Identification, location, or tracking of electronic devices through cellular, wireless, Bluetooth,
radio-frequency, advertising, network, or other electronic identifiers or signals;
3. Automated identification, reidentification, or tracking of a person, vehicle, object, or electronic
device across multiple observations, cameras, sensors, locations, or times;
4. Creation of a searchable historical record of a person’s, vehicle’s, or device’s locations,
movements, routes, activities, behaviors, or associations;
5. Upload, transmission, contribution, or availability of surveillance information to an external
surveillance database or network;
6. Searchability by, or access for, an external agency without prior individualized judicial
authorization;
7. Artificial intelligence or algorithmic analysis used to identify patterns, behaviors, characteristics,
associations, travel histories, routes, common locations, groups, relationships, risks, anomalies,
predictions, classifications, investigative leads, or other inferences;
8. Automated generation of alerts, flags, rankings, classifications, watch-list matches, or risk
assessments based upon behavior, association, route, location pattern, biometric characteristic,
vehicle feature other than exact alphanumeric plate characters, or an algorithmically generated
criterion; provided that a basic one-to-one exact-match comparison of plate characters against a
specifically identified, lawfully maintained hot list does not, standing alone, satisfy this item;
9. Combination of surveillance information with commercial data, communications information,
mobile-device information, social-media information, property records, public records,
biometric information, or another database for identification, tracking, profiling, classification,
or inference;
10. Persistent aerial, drone-based, camera-based, sensor-based, audio-based, or electronic
monitoring of public or publicly accessible places;
11. Identification or tracking based upon facial appearance, gait, voice, clothing, body shape,
tattoos, distinguishing features, vehicle appearance, device signals, or another physical,
behavioral, or electronic characteristic; or
12. A capability substantially equivalent to one or more of items 1 through 11 that permits the
system to perform “mass surveillance” as defined in this article.

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A system may constitute a prohibited mass surveillance system regardless of:
1. Its brand name or vendor;
2. Whether its equipment, software, or database is publicly or privately owned;
3. Whether information is physically stored inside or outside South Carolina;
4. Whether separate databases are searched through a common portal rather than physically
combined;
5. Whether information is retained for a limited number of hours or days;
6. Whether agency policy requires a user to enter a reason, case number, or documented purpose;
7. Whether access is labeled direct, indirect, reciprocal, shared, federated, assisted, or requestbased;
8. Whether the system is provided without charge, through a trial program, by donation, through a
grant, or through another entity;
9. Whether the vendor or operator describes the technology as artificial intelligence; or
10. Whether a system performs prohibited processing remotely after ordinary cameras,
microphones, or sensors collect the original information.
Surveillance information
“Surveillance information” means any image, video, audio, signal, record, identifier, metadata, time,
date, location, search history, query, alert, analytical output, profile, classification, association,
prediction, or inference captured, collected, received, produced, or derived by a surveillance system.
Sec. 2-503. Limited exclusions.
(a) A prohibited mass surveillance system does not include:
1. A camera or system used solely to control entry into a secured building, gated facility, restricted
parking area, utility site, detention facility, computer system, or other restricted property,
provided that:
a. Its use is limited to verifying the identity or authority of persons seeking access;
b. It is not primarily directed toward persons or traffic in a public or publicly accessible area;
c. Its information is not used to track a person outside the secured location; and
d. Its information is not contributed to or searchable through an external surveillance database
or network;
2. An ordinary premises-security camera that is not configured or used to conduct automated
biometric recognition, automated reidentification, cross-camera tracking, historical movement
analysis, or external database sharing;
3. A camera or sensor used solely for real-time traffic-flow management, nonidentifying traffic
counting, road-condition monitoring, weather observation, traffic-signal operation,
infrastructure monitoring, or emergency detection, provided that it does not create personspecific, vehicle-specific, or device-specific records, permit retrospective identification or
tracking, or transmit identifying information to another database;
4. Periodic aerial or satellite imagery acquired for mapping, tax assessment, planning, engineering,
environmental monitoring, infrastructure management, or damage assessment, provided the
imagery is not used to identify or track particular persons, vehicles, or electronic devices and is
not incorporated into a prohibited mass surveillance system;

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5. A body-worn camera, manually operated camera, or vehicle dashboard camera used to record an
officer’s direct interaction, traffic stop, emergency response, or specifically identified incident,
provided its recordings are not routinely subjected to automated biometric recognition, mass
identification, cross-camera tracking, or incorporation into an external mass surveillance
network;
6. A manually operated camera, sensor, or investigative device used during a particularized
investigation pursuant to the judicial authorization required by law;
7. A temporary system narrowly deployed to locate a specifically identified abducted, missing,
endangered, or fleeing person during an objectively reasonable emergency, provided that:
a. Deployment is limited in geographic scope and duration;
b. Access and use are limited to the emergency;
c. Information concerning uninvolved persons is not retained or used for an unrelated purpose;
and
d. Information is not contributed to a general-purpose external surveillance database or
network;
8. Incident-specific aerial or drone operations conducted for search and rescue, disaster response,
fire suppression, accident reconstruction, scene documentation, fugitive apprehension, or
response to a specific reported incident, provided the operation is limited in geographic scope
and duration, is not a routine or persistent aerial patrol of the general public, and its information
is not contributed to a general-purpose external surveillance database or network;
9. A parking, payment, toll, or access-control system that collects only the information reasonably
necessary to complete a transaction or control entry and does not contribute information to a
law-enforcement or mass surveillance database;
10. A cybersecurity system used to protect County computer networks, information systems, or
accounts, provided it is not used to monitor the physical movements or activities of persons in
public places;
11. A system used solely for emergency dispatch, emergency communications, or response to a
specific reported incident, provided it is not used for continuous mass identification or tracking;
12. A system whose use is expressly required by controlling state or federal law, but only to the
minimum extent expressly required; or
13. A system otherwise described in the definition of “prohibited mass surveillance system,” if:
a. Every search, query, retrieval, or analytical use of retained information is technically
conditioned upon prior individualized judicial authorization;
b. The technical controls prevent such access unless information identifying the judicial
authorization is entered or verified and create an auditable record of the access;
c. The system does not contribute information to, and is not searchable through, an external
surveillance database or network; and
d. The system does not perform real-time identification, tracking, alerting, or analytical use
before the required individualized judicial authorization.
For purposes of item 13, an agency policy, user attestation, supervisor approval, case-number
requirement, or after-the-fact audit, standing alone, is not a technical condition upon access.
(b) A system otherwise falling within an exclusion loses the exclusion if its information is routinely
uploaded to, made accessible through, searched through, analyzed by, combined with, or used as an
input for a prohibited mass surveillance system.
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(c) In any eligibility determination under this article or application for a County permit, license,
lease, easement, encroachment authorization, use agreement, or other County approval, the person or
entity claiming an exclusion bears the burden of demonstrating that the system qualifies for an
exclusion under this section. This subsection does not alter any burden of proof applicable in an
enforcement action, judicial proceeding, or constitutional challenge.
Sec. 2-504. Prohibition on County expenditures and resources.
(a) No County-controlled funds may be appropriated, transferred, allocated, expended, encumbered,
obligated, reimbursed, or otherwise made available, directly or indirectly, for a prohibited mass
surveillance system.
(b) The prohibition includes, but is not limited to:
1. Purchase, lease, rental, financing, or acquisition;
2. Subscription, license, software, database-access, network-access, or service fees;
3. Installation, construction, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, removal, or renewal;
4. Electricity, communications, internet service, networking, cloud services, data storage,
computing, or technical support;
5. Cameras, microphones, sensors, scanners, drones, poles, cabinets, foundations, signs,
batteries, solar panels, wiring, communications equipment, servers, or related infrastructure;
6. Training, travel, consulting, legal, administrative, or personnel expenses;
7. Real-time alerts, retrospective searches, biometric searches, watch-list participation, hot-list
participation, shared-network access, vendor-assisted searches, or analytical services;
8. Reimbursement to another governmental entity, vendor, contractor, nonprofit organization, or
private person;
9. A matching contribution associated with a state, federal, private, or nonprofit grant;
10. Renewal or extension of a contract, subscription, trial, memorandum of understanding,
information-sharing agreement, or other arrangement;
11. Any expenditure having the purpose or practical effect of supporting or facilitating a
prohibited system.
(c) Except as provided in Section 2-501(e) and (f), no County property, County equipment, County
vehicle, County drone, County communications system, County information-technology network,
County software, County database, County account, County credential, County purchasing card,
County employee time, or other County resource may be used to install, own, operate, host, maintain,
connect, promote, or otherwise support a prohibited mass surveillance system.
(d) No County department, office, board, commission, agency, employee, official, contractor, or
person acting on behalf of the County may:
1. Enter into or renew a contract, memorandum of understanding, data-contribution agreement,
reciprocal hosting agreement, trial agreement, or other arrangement to acquire, own, fund,
operate, administer, host, maintain, or supply locally collected surveillance information to a
prohibited system;
2. Accept a donation, free trial, private grant, loaned equipment, software service, or other thing of
value for the acquisition, installation, operation, hosting, maintenance, or support of a
prohibited system using County property or resources;

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3. Contribute County-collected surveillance information to a prohibited system or external
surveillance database or network; or
4. Do indirectly through another person or entity what this article prohibits the County from doing
directly.
(e) Each annual budget ordinance, supplemental appropriation, procurement, grant agreement,
intergovernmental agreement, and departmental expenditure is subject to this section.
Sec. 2-505. Prohibition on County property.
(a) No prohibited mass surveillance system may be installed, placed, attached, owned, operated,
maintained, hosted, powered, connected, or allowed to remain on, within, above, beneath, or attached
to County property.
(b) The prohibition applies regardless of whether the system or supporting equipment is owned by:
1. The County;
2. A County elected office;
3. A municipality;
4. Another county;
5. A state or federal agency;
6. A private vendor;
7. A utility company;
8. A contractor;
9. A nonprofit organization; or
10. Any other person or entity.
(c) No County officer, employee, department, board, commission, agency, contractor, or other person
acting on behalf of the County may issue, approve, execute, or recommend a lease, license, easement,
right-of-entry agreement, attachment agreement, utility authorization, use agreement, memorandum
of understanding, or other permission authorizing a prohibited system on County property.
(d) The prohibition includes equipment that collects surveillance information for processing,
identification, analysis, storage, or sharing through software or infrastructure located elsewhere.
Sec. 2-506. County road rights-of-way and encroachments.
(a) No prohibited mass surveillance system may be installed, placed, attached, owned, operated,
maintained, hosted, powered, connected, or allowed to remain within, upon, above, or beneath a
County-controlled right-of-way.
(b) The prohibition applies to a device or system attached to or supported by:
1. A County-owned pole or structure;
2. A utility-owned pole or structure;
3. A privately owned pole or structure;
4. A vendor-installed pole or structure;
5. A traffic-control device;
6. A bridge, sign, cabinet, fixture, communications facility, or utility facility; or

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7. Any other publicly or privately owned supporting infrastructure located within a Countycontrolled right-of-way.
(c) Ownership of a camera, microphone, sensor, scanner, device, pole, structure, communications
equipment, electrical connection, or supporting infrastructure does not determine whether this section
applies. Physical occupation or use of a County-controlled right-of-way is sufficient.
(d) No encroachment permit, utility authorization, attachment authorization, construction permit,
right-of-entry agreement, license, lease, easement, or other permission may be issued for a prohibited
system within a County-controlled right-of-way.
(e) An application involving a prohibited system shall be denied as a prohibited use and shall not be
eligible for a variance, administrative exception, or staff waiver.
(f) A prohibited system installed without lawful County permission constitutes an unauthorized
encroachment.
(g) This section does not assert County permitting authority over an SCDOT-maintained right-ofway or a municipal right-of-way where the County possesses no ownership, easement, maintenance
responsibility, or other legal authority.
Sec. 2-507. Existing systems and removal.
(a) Within thirty days after the effective date of this article, the County Administrator, County
Engineer, information-technology personnel, facilities personnel, and other appropriate County staff
shall identify, to the extent reasonably ascertainable, any prohibited system:
1. Located on County property;
2. Located within a County-controlled right-of-way;
3. Supported by County-controlled funds or resources;
4. Operated, hosted, maintained, connected, or materially supported through County-owned
equipment, software, networks, accounts, databases, or credentials; or
5. Operated under a County contract, permit, agreement, subscription, or authorization.
(b) The County Administrator shall consult with the County Attorney concerning any existing
permit, contract, easement, property right, grant condition, or other legal obligation affecting removal
or termination.
(c) Except where a different procedure is legally required, the County shall provide written notice to
the owner, operator, vendor, contractor, governmental entity, utility, or other responsible person
directing that:
1. County-funded or County-hosted collection, processing, analysis, transmission, and contribution
to an external surveillance database or network be discontinued within ten business days after
receipt of notice;
2. County-funded subscriptions, accounts, software services, and data-contribution connections be
terminated within ten business days after receipt of notice; and
3. Physical devices and associated equipment be removed from County property or the Countycontrolled right-of-way within thirty days after receipt of notice.
(d) A revocable permit, license, authorization, or permission for a prohibited system is revoked as of
the effective date of this article, subject to any notice or procedural requirement imposed by law or
the applicable instrument.

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(e) If a responsible person fails to remove an unauthorized device within the required period, the
County may:
1. Disconnect, cover, disable, or remove the device;
2. Terminate power, communications, network, or other County-provided service;
3. Disable or terminate County-funded subscriptions, accounts, software services, or datacontribution connections;
4. Store the device for a reasonable period;
5. Recover the County’s removal, storage, restoration, administrative, and legal costs;
6. Pursue injunctive or other relief; and
7. Exercise any other lawful remedy.
(f) The County shall not destroy equipment belonging to another person without legal authority and
appropriate notice.
(g) Nothing in this section authorizes the unconstitutional impairment of an enforceable contract or
vested property right. Where such a claim is asserted, the County Attorney shall determine the
appropriate lawful procedure.
Sec. 2-508. Eligibility for discretionary County distributions.
(a) A participating governmental entity is ineligible to receive a discretionary County distribution
during the period of its participation in a prohibited mass surveillance system.
(b) The ineligibility established by this section applies to:
1. General-fund appropriations;
2. Recreation funds;
3. Council-district appropriations or recommendations;
4. Capital-project assistance;
5. Economic-development grants;
6. Beautification grants;
7. Community grants;
8. Sponsorships;
9. Contributions;
10. Reimbursements;
11. County-provided in-kind assistance;
12. Use of County personnel, equipment, facilities, or property;
13. County-administered grant programs; and
14. Any other discretionary transfer of County-controlled funds or resources.
(c) No participating governmental entity may avoid ineligibility by requesting that funds be awarded
to:
1. A nonprofit organization;
2. A committee;
3. A chamber of commerce;

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4. A festival board;
5. A contractor;
6. A fiscal agent;
7. An affiliated entity;
8. A separate authority or commission; or
9. Another intermediary acting for, benefiting, reimbursing, or supporting the participating
governmental entity.
(d) A recipient may not use County-controlled funds to pay an expense that would otherwise be paid
by a participating governmental entity, thereby freeing the entity’s own money for a prohibited
system.
(e) This section establishes eligibility for discretionary County assistance. It does not impose a fine
or require a participating governmental entity to terminate its system.
Sec. 2-509. Accommodations-tax eligibility.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by state law, no participating governmental entity shall be eligible
to receive a discretionary award, grant, allocation, sponsorship, contract, reimbursement, or
distribution administered by the County from:
1. State accommodations-tax revenue allocated for tourism promotion or tourism-related
expenditures under S.C. Code § 6-4-10;
2. Local accommodations-tax revenue imposed and administered under S.C. Code §§ 6-1-510
through 6-1-570;
3. Accommodations-tax revenue lawfully allocated to the County general fund and subsequently
offered through a discretionary grant, contribution, sponsorship, or funding program; or
4. Any other County-administered tourism fund.
(b) No County-administered accommodations-tax award may be made for a municipally sponsored
event associated with a participating municipality.
(c) Subsection (b) applies regardless of whether the named applicant or event organizer is:
1. Separately incorporated;
2. Tax exempt;
3. Governed by an independent or nominally independent board;
4. A chamber of commerce;
5. A festival committee;
6. A civic organization;
7. A contractor;
8. A fiscal agent; or
9. Otherwise legally distinct from the municipality.
(d) An event is associated with a participating municipality when that municipality provides material
municipal support, including material in-kind municipal support.
(e) Police details, road closures, barricades, donated or preferential use of municipal parks or streets,
public works assistance, sanitation, dedicated fire or emergency services, municipal insurance,
administrative support, municipal promotion, fee waivers, utilities, equipment, and other planned
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event-specific assistance shall be counted as municipal sponsorship when provided as defined in this
article.
(f) The County accommodations-tax advisory committee or other advisory body shall incorporate the
eligibility requirements of this article and Chapter 30, Article III, Division 2 into its application
guidelines and review process.
(g) Every application must continue to be reviewed, and every expenditure must continue to satisfy
the procedural and substantive tourism requirements of applicable state law.
(h) Nothing in this article:
1. Authorizes accommodations-tax money to be used for a purpose not otherwise authorized by
state law;
2. Eliminates advisory-committee review required by state law;
3. Requires County Council to approve an advisory-committee recommendation;
4. Requires the County to fund every applicant or every otherwise qualifying tourism activity;
5. Affects a distribution that state law expressly and unconditionally requires the County to make to
a specifically designated recipient; or
6. Authorizes the County to divert restricted accommodations-tax revenue to an unauthorized use.
(i) When an advisory committee recommends an award to an ineligible applicant, County Council
may reject the recommendation and select another lawful tourism-related expenditure in accordance
with state law.
(j) The independently codified provisions of Chapter 30, Article III, Division 2 shall also apply to
accommodations-tax awards and shall be read consistently with this section.
Sec. 2-510. Municipally sponsored events.
(a) A municipally sponsored event associated with a participating municipality is ineligible for a
discretionary County distribution.
(b) In determining whether an event is municipally sponsored, the County shall consider the totality
of the financial, operational, promotional, administrative, organizational, and property relationship
between the event and municipality.
(c) The following constitute municipal sponsorship when provided for the planned operation of an
event:
1. Dedicated municipal police personnel or traffic control;
2. Municipal road or street closures;
3. Municipal barricades, cones, signs, or traffic-control devices;
4. Dedicated municipal fire, rescue, or emergency medical support;
5. Free, discounted, donated, or preferential use of municipal parks, streets, sidewalks, buildings,
stages, parking areas, or facilities;
6. Municipal public works personnel or equipment;
7. Municipal sanitation, setup, teardown, or cleanup;
8. Municipal insurance or indemnification;
9. Municipal advertising or official promotion;
10. Municipal administrative or fiscal-agent services;
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11. Waiver or absorption of fees or expenses;
12. Municipal utility service;
13. Direct municipal appropriations; or
14. Appointment or control of members of the event’s board or organizing committee.
(d) An event organizer may not divide municipal support among several organizations or characterize
municipal services as unrelated expenditures for the purpose or practical effect of avoiding this
article.
(e) The County shall consider the fair value and operational importance of municipal support rather
than merely whether the municipality issued a check to the organizer.
(f) A private event does not become municipally sponsored solely because:
1. The municipality issues an ordinary permit on the same terms applicable to similarly situated
applicants;
2. The organizer pays the full published and actual cost of all municipal services and receives no
preferential treatment; or
3. Municipal police, fire, rescue, or emergency medical personnel respond to an unplanned
emergency.
Sec. 2-511. Applications, disclosure, and certification.
(a) Every applicant for a discretionary County distribution shall disclose:
1. Each municipality or governmental entity sponsoring or supporting the applicant, program,
project, or event;
2. All municipal financial contributions;
3. All municipal in-kind support;
4. Use of municipal property;
5. Municipal personnel or equipment provided;
6. Municipal fee waivers or discounted services;
7. Municipal appointment or control of board or committee members;
8. Whether the applicant is acting as a fiscal agent, intermediary, contractor, or affiliate of a
municipality;
9. Whether any participating governmental entity will directly or indirectly benefit from the
requested funds; and
10. Any other information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility under this article.
(b) An applicant shall certify that:
1. The application contains a complete and accurate disclosure;
2. The requested funds will not directly or indirectly support a prohibited mass surveillance system;
3. The applicant is not being used to circumvent this article;
4. No portion of the award will be transferred, reimbursed, credited, or otherwise provided to an
ineligible entity except for an arm’s-length payment for lawful goods or services unrelated to a
prohibited system; and

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5. The applicant will notify the County of any material change in eligibility before final payment or
expenditure.
(c) The certification shall be incorporated into the grant agreement, contract, award letter,
reimbursement agreement, or other instrument governing the distribution.
(d) The County may require documentation establishing the actual cost or fair value of municipal inkind support.
(e) A materially false, incomplete, or misleading certification constitutes grounds for:
1. Denial of the application;
2. Suspension or termination of the award;
3. Withholding of unpaid funds;
4. Repayment of funds already disbursed;
5. Recovery of collection and legal costs where authorized by law;
6. Ineligibility for future discretionary County distributions for up to three years; and
7. Any other remedy available under the grant agreement or applicable law.
(f) Before imposing a period of future ineligibility, the County shall provide written notice of the
alleged violation and a reasonable opportunity for the applicant to respond.
Sec. 2-512. Eligibility determinations and cure.
(a) The County Administrator shall maintain a list of governmental entities determined to be
participating governmental entities.
(b) Before placing an entity on the list, the County Administrator shall provide written notice stating
the factual basis for the proposed determination and allow the entity at least fifteen business days to
submit responsive information.
(c) The County Administrator shall issue a written determination following consideration of the
available information.
(d) An affected entity may appeal the determination to County Council by filing written notice with
the Clerk to Council within fifteen business days.
(e) County Council may affirm, reverse, or modify the determination following consideration at a
public meeting.
(f) An entity’s ineligibility ends when the County determines that the entity has satisfied either of the
following:
1. Terminated the conduct that caused it to be a participating governmental entity, including
termination of applicable contracts or subscriptions, removal of applicable devices from
property under its control, withdrawal from external surveillance databases and networks,
cessation of locally collected data contributions and material operational support, and
submission of a certification and supporting documentation reasonably satisfactory to the
County; or
2. Reconfigured the system so that it qualifies for an exclusion under Section 2-503 or otherwise no
longer constitutes a prohibited mass surveillance system, as verified by documentation
reasonably satisfactory to the County.
(g) Eligibility may be restored prospectively. Restoration does not require the County to reconsider
an application or award previously denied, nor does it create an entitlement to future funding.
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Sec. 2-513. Anti-circumvention.
(a) No person or entity may knowingly structure, divide, route, relabel, reimburse, transfer, or
administer a transaction for the purpose or practical effect of avoiding this article.
(b) The County shall evaluate the substance and economic reality of a transaction, relationship,
sponsorship, or arrangement rather than its nominal form.
(c) Prohibited circumvention includes:
1. Routing an application through a separate nonprofit organization or committee;
2. Naming a fiscal agent as the recipient while an ineligible entity controls or materially benefits
from the funds;
3. Using County funds for event expenses ordinarily paid by a participating municipality;
4. Transferring County-funded equipment, services, or reimbursements to an ineligible entity;
5. Dividing one project into separate applications;
6. Characterizing material municipal support as routine permitting when it provides event-specific
operational assistance;
7. Omitting or materially undervaluing municipal in-kind support;
8. Using a vendor, utility, contractor, or other governmental entity to install or operate a prohibited
system on County property or in a County-controlled right-of-way.
Sec. 2-514. Administration and annual reporting.
(a) The County Administrator, County Attorney, Finance Director, Procurement Director, County
Engineer, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director, information-technology personnel, and other
appropriate staff shall implement this article within their respective areas of responsibility.
(b) County procurement documents, grant guidelines, applications, contracts, sponsorship
agreements, accommodations-tax materials, information-technology policies, and encroachmentpermit procedures shall be revised as necessary to implement this article.
(c) At least annually, the County Administrator shall provide County Council with a report
identifying:
1. Known prohibited systems on County property or County-controlled rights-of-way;
2. County-funded contracts, subscriptions, hosting arrangements, and data-contribution
arrangements reviewed under this article;
3. Participating governmental entities;
4. Applications denied under this article;
5. Certifications and disclosures received;
6. Removal or enforcement activity;
7. Eligibility restorations; and
8. Recommended administrative or legislative changes.
(d) No report required by this section shall disclose information that is confidential under state or
federal law.
Sec. 2-515. Enforcement and remedies.
(a) The County may enforce this article through any lawful remedy, including:

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1. Denial or revocation of a permit or authorization;
2. Termination or nonrenewal of a contract, subscription, account, or agreement;
3. Suspension or denial of a County payment;
4. Removal of an unauthorized encroachment;
5. Recovery of removal, restoration, storage, and administrative costs;
6. Repayment or contractual recovery of grant funds;
7. Injunctive or declaratory relief;
8. Disqualification from discretionary County funding; and
9. Any other civil, contractual, administrative, or equitable remedy authorized by law.
(b) The County Attorney is authorized to seek injunctive relief and other civil, contractual,
administrative, or equitable remedies in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) Grant ineligibility under this article is an eligibility condition and not a criminal penalty.
Sec. 2-516. Savings and limitations.
(a) Nothing in this article shall be construed to:
1. Direct the handling or outcome of a particular criminal investigation;
2. Prevent an officer or other person from directly observing a person, vehicle, object, or activity in
public;
3. Prevent a law-enforcement officer from searching, querying, requesting, receiving, analyzing, or
using lawfully available information during a lawful traffic stop, emergency, search-and-rescue
operation, or particularized investigation, including pursuant to individualized judicial
authorization, solely because the information was collected by a prohibited mass surveillance
system, provided the officer’s jurisdiction does not own, fund, contract for, operate, host,
maintain, or contribute locally collected surveillance information to that system in violation of
this article;
4. Regulate an ordinary private camera located entirely on private property outside County property
and County-controlled rights-of-way;
5. Assert County control over an SCDOT or municipal right-of-way where the County has no legal
authority;
6. Require withholding of money that the County is expressly and unconditionally required by state
or federal law, final court order, binding bond covenant, or preexisting enforceable contract to
distribute;
7. Authorize the expenditure of restricted funds for an unauthorized purpose;
8. Prohibit compliance with a valid court order directed to the County;
9. Alter a duty expressly imposed upon an elected official by general state law; or
10. Prevent the County from taking actions necessary to protect its legal interests or comply with
controlling law.
(b) Nothing in this article creates a private cause of action against the County, County Council, a
County employee, or a County official.
(c) No person or entity possesses a vested right to receive a future discretionary County distribution.

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(d) Where application of a particular provision would be preempted by controlling state or federal
law, that provision shall be limited only to the minimum extent necessary to avoid preemption.
(e) This article shall be construed consistently with any subsequently enacted state statutory
framework governing the technologies addressed herein and shall yield to the extent, and only to the
extent, of any direct conflict.

SECTION 2. CHAPTER 30 ACCOMMODATIONS-TAX CODIFICATION
Chapter 30, Article III, of the Oconee County Code of Ordinances is amended by adding a new
Division 2, beginning with Section 30-111, to read as follows:

DIVISION 2. MASS SURVEILLANCE ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS FOR COUNTY-ADMINISTERED
ACCOMMODATIONS-TAX FUNDS
Sec. 30-111. Purpose and applicability.
(a) The purposes of this division are to:
1. Prevent County-administered accommodations-tax funds from being used directly or indirectly to
acquire, own, fund, operate, maintain, host, support, or subsidize prohibited mass surveillance
systems;
2. Establish prospective and uniform eligibility requirements for discretionary County-administered
accommodations-tax awards;
3. Protect the privacy, liberty, freedom of movement, freedom of association, and other rights of
Oconee County residents and visitors;
4. Prevent municipalities from circumventing County funding restrictions through separate
committees, nonprofit organizations, festival boards, chambers of commerce, fiscal agents,
contractors, or affiliated entities; and
5. Ensure that County-administered tourism funds are expended consistently with County policy
and applicable state law.
(b) This division applies to discretionary accommodations-tax funds administered, allocated,
awarded, or expended by the County, including:
1. The County of Oconee Local Accommodations Tax Special Revenue Fund;
2. State accommodations-tax funds administered by the County for tourism promotion or tourismrelated expenditures;
3. Accommodations-tax revenue lawfully allocated to the County general fund and subsequently
offered through a discretionary grant, sponsorship, contribution, or award program; and
4. Any other discretionary County-administered tourism fund derived in whole or in part from
accommodations-tax revenue.
(c) This division does not authorize an expenditure for a purpose not otherwise authorized by state
law.
(d) This division does not require the County to withhold a distribution that state law expressly and
unconditionally requires the County to make to a specifically designated recipient.
(e) This division applies prospectively to applications, awards, contracts, renewals, and
authorizations submitted, made, or arising on or after the effective date of the ordinance enacting this
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division. No accommodations-tax award approved before the effective date shall be rescinded solely
on the basis of this division.
Sec. 30-112. Definitions.
(a) The definitions contained in Chapter 2, Article VII, Protection from Mass Surveillance, are
incorporated into this division and shall have the same meanings when used herein.
(b) For purposes of this division, “County-administered accommodations-tax funds” means
accommodations-tax revenue over which County Council possesses lawful discretion to select a
recipient, event, program, project, expenditure, contract, grant, sponsorship, reimbursement, or other
use.
(c) Where a term contained in this division conflicts with a definition contained in Division 1 of this
article, the more specific definition applicable to mass surveillance eligibility shall govern solely for
purposes of this division.
Sec. 30-113. Prohibited expenditures.
(a) No County-administered accommodations-tax funds may be appropriated, awarded, transferred,
allocated, expended, encumbered, reimbursed, or otherwise made available, directly or indirectly, for
a prohibited mass surveillance system.
(b) The prohibition includes:
1. Purchase, lease, rental, subscription, financing, or acquisition;
2. Installation, construction, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, or renewal;
3. Software, artificial-intelligence, database, cloud, network, storage, communications, or access
fees;
4. Cameras, microphones, sensors, scanners, drones, poles, equipment, electricity, communications,
networking, or related infrastructure;
5. Training, personnel, consulting, legal, administrative, or operational expenses;
6. A matching contribution associated with an outside grant;
7. Reimbursement to a municipality, governmental entity, vendor, contractor, nonprofit
organization, or other person; and
8. Any expenditure having the purpose or practical effect of supporting, facilitating, subsidizing, or
freeing other funds for a prohibited mass surveillance system.
(c) No applicant or recipient may use County-administered accommodations-tax funds to pay an
expense ordinarily paid by a participating governmental entity when doing so would enable or free
the participating entity to direct its own funds toward a prohibited mass surveillance system.
Sec. 30-114. Ineligible applicants, recipients, and events.
(a) A participating governmental entity is ineligible to receive a discretionary award of Countyadministered accommodations-tax funds during the period of participation.
(b) A municipally sponsored event associated with a participating municipality is ineligible to receive
a discretionary award of County-administered accommodations-tax funds during the period of
participation.
(c) Subsection (b) applies regardless of whether the named applicant or organizer is:
1. Separately incorporated;

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2. Tax exempt;
3. Governed by an independent or nominally independent board;
4. A nonprofit organization;
5. A chamber of commerce;
6. A festival committee;
7. A civic organization;
8. A contractor;
9. A fiscal agent; or
10. Otherwise legally distinct from the participating municipality.
(d) A participating municipality may not avoid ineligibility by requesting that funds be paid to an
intermediary, affiliated organization, contractor, committee, nonprofit organization, festival board,
chamber of commerce, or fiscal agent.
(e) The substance and economic reality of the relationship between the municipality, applicant,
recipient, and event shall control over legal form or nominal independence.
Sec. 30-115. Municipal sponsorship and in-kind support.
(a) For purposes of this division, material in-kind municipal support constitutes municipal
sponsorship.
(b) Municipal sponsorship includes:
1. Dedicated police details, security, or traffic control;
2. Road or street closures;
3. Barricades, cones, signs, detours, or traffic-control devices;
4. Dedicated fire, rescue, emergency medical, or emergency-management support;
5. Free, donated, discounted, or preferential use of municipal parks, streets, sidewalks, buildings,
stages, parking areas, or facilities;
6. Public works labor, vehicles, equipment, setup, teardown, or logistical assistance;
7. Sanitation, waste collection, portable restroom service, or cleanup;
8. Municipal insurance, indemnification, contracting, purchasing, or fiscal-agent services;
9. Municipal advertising, promotion, printing, signage, website placement, or social-media support;
10. Municipal administrative or planning assistance;
11. Waiver, reduction, reimbursement, or absorption of fees or expenses;
12. Municipal electricity, water, communications, or utility service;
13. Direct municipal appropriations; or
14. Municipal appointment or control of members of an event board or organizing committee.
(c) The County shall consider the fair value and operational importance of municipal support rather
than merely whether the municipality issued a monetary payment.
(d) An otherwise private event shall not become municipally sponsored solely because:
1. The municipality issues an ordinary permit on the same terms applicable to similarly situated
applicants;

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2. The organizer pays the full published and actual cost of all municipal services and receives no
preferential treatment; or
3. Municipal police, fire, rescue, or emergency medical personnel respond to an unplanned
emergency.
(e) Planned, dedicated, donated, discounted, preferential, or event-specific municipal assistance
constitutes municipal sponsorship.
Sec. 30-116. Applications, disclosure, and certification.
(a) Every applicant for County-administered accommodations-tax funds shall disclose:
1. Each municipality or governmental entity sponsoring, supporting, funding, organizing, or
promoting the applicant, project, program, or event;
2. All direct municipal financial contributions;
3. All anticipated or received municipal in-kind support;
4. Use of municipal streets, parks, sidewalks, buildings, stages, parking areas, or other property;
5. Municipal personnel, equipment, security, traffic control, public works, sanitation, emergency
services, utilities, insurance, administrative support, advertising, or promotion;
6. Municipal fee waivers, discounts, reimbursements, or absorbed expenses;
7. Municipal appointment or control of board or committee members;
8. Whether the applicant is acting as a fiscal agent, intermediary, contractor, or affiliate of a
municipality;
9. Whether a participating governmental entity will directly or indirectly benefit from the requested
award; and
10. Any other information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility.
(b) Every applicant shall certify that:
1. Its disclosures are complete and accurate;
2. The requested funds will not directly or indirectly support a prohibited mass surveillance system;
3. The applicant is not being used to circumvent this division or Chapter 2;
4. No portion of an award will be transferred, reimbursed, credited, or otherwise provided to an
ineligible recipient, except through an arm’s-length payment for lawful goods or services
unrelated to a prohibited system; and
5. The applicant will report any material change affecting eligibility before final payment or
expenditure.
(c) The County may require an applicant to calculate and disclose the estimated fair value of
municipal in-kind support.
(d) The certifications required by this section shall be incorporated into every applicable grant
agreement, contract, award letter, reimbursement agreement, or other funding instrument.
(e) A materially false, incomplete, or misleading application, disclosure, or certification constitutes
grounds for:
1. Denial;
2. Suspension or termination of an award;
3. Withholding of unpaid funds;
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4. Repayment of funds already disbursed;
5. Recovery of collection and legal expenses where permitted;
6. Ineligibility for future discretionary County awards for up to three years; and
7. Any other remedy authorized by the funding agreement or applicable law.
(f) Before imposing a period of future ineligibility, the County shall provide written notice and a
reasonable opportunity to respond.
Sec. 30-117. Advisory review and County Council action.
(a) The County accommodations-tax advisory committee or other advisory body shall incorporate the
eligibility requirements of this division and Chapter 2 into its application guidelines and review
process.
(b) Every application required by state law to receive advisory review shall continue to receive such
review.
(c) The advisory body shall not recommend an award to an applicant determined to be ineligible
under this division.
(d) County Council shall consider advisory recommendations in accordance with state law and shall
take final action upon proposed expenditures.
(e) When an advisory body recommends an award to an ineligible applicant, County Council may
reject the recommendation and select another lawful tourism-related expenditure.
(f) Nothing in this division requires County Council to fund every applicant, project, program, event,
or activity that may otherwise satisfy a statutory tourism category.
(g) All expenditures from the County of Oconee Local Accommodations Tax Special Revenue Fund
remain subject to approval by County Council under § 30-85.
Sec. 30-118. Determinations, cure, anti-circumvention, and enforcement.
(a) The eligibility determination, notice, appeal, cure, anti-circumvention, administration, and
enforcement provisions of Chapter 2, Article VII, apply to this division.
(b) An entity’s ineligibility ends when the County determines that the entity has satisfied either of the
following:
1. Terminated the conduct that caused it to be a participating governmental entity, including
termination of applicable contracts or subscriptions, removal of applicable devices from
property under its control, withdrawal from external surveillance databases and networks,
cessation of locally collected data contributions and material operational support, and
submission of a certification and supporting documentation reasonably satisfactory to the
County; or
2. Reconfigured the system so that it qualifies for an exclusion under Section 2-503 or otherwise no
longer constitutes a prohibited mass surveillance system, as verified by documentation
reasonably satisfactory to the County.
(c) Eligibility shall be restored prospectively following written County approval.
(d) Restoration does not create an entitlement to an award, require reconsideration of a previously
denied application, or require displacement of another approved recipient.

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(e) No applicant, recipient, municipality, or other person may structure, route, divide, relabel,
transfer, reimburse, or administer a transaction for the purpose or practical effect of avoiding this
division.
(f) The County shall evaluate the substance and economic reality of a transaction and relationship
rather than its nominal form.
(g) Nothing in this division:
1. Authorizes accommodations-tax revenue to be expended for a purpose not permitted by state
law;
2. Eliminates advisory review, reporting, accounting, segregation, expenditure deadlines, or other
requirements imposed by state law;
3. Requires withholding of a payment that state law expressly and unconditionally requires the
County to distribute to a specifically designated recipient; or
4. Prevents application of the remaining provisions to other discretionary accommodations-tax
funds if application to a particular category is found to conflict with controlling law.
(h) This division shall be construed consistently with any subsequently enacted state statutory
framework governing the technologies addressed herein and shall yield to the extent, and only to the
extent, of any direct conflict.

SECTION 3. CHAPTER 26 CONFORMING AMENDMENT
Chapter 26 of the Oconee County Code of Ordinances is amended by adding a new Article IV,
entitled “Mass Surveillance Encroachments,” consisting of Section 26-201, to read as follows:

ARTICLE IV. MASS SURVEILLANCE ENCROACHMENTS
Sec. 26-201. Prohibited mass surveillance encroachments.
(a) The definitions contained in Chapter 2, Article VII, Protection from Mass Surveillance, are
incorporated into this section.
(b) No prohibited mass surveillance system may be installed, placed, attached, owned, operated,
maintained, hosted, powered, connected, or allowed to remain within, upon, above, or beneath a
County-owned, County-maintained, or County-controlled road, street, bridge, shoulder, median,
drainage area, sidewalk, easement, or right-of-way.
(c) The prohibition applies to systems attached to or supported by:
1. County-owned poles or structures;
2. Utility-owned poles or structures;
3. Privately owned poles or structures;
4. Vendor-installed poles or structures;
5. Traffic-control devices;
6. Bridges, signs, cabinets, fixtures, utility facilities, or communications facilities; or
7. Other publicly or privately owned infrastructure located within the County-controlled right-ofway.

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(d) Ownership of the camera, microphone, sensor, scanner, device, pole, structure, communications
equipment, electrical connection, or supporting infrastructure does not determine whether this section
applies.
(e) No encroachment permit, attachment authorization, utility authorization, construction permit,
license, lease, easement, right-of-entry agreement, or other County permission may be issued for a
prohibited mass surveillance system.
(f) An application involving a prohibited mass surveillance system shall be denied as a prohibited use
and shall not be eligible for an administrative waiver, exception, or variance.
(g) A prohibited system installed without authorization or remaining after revocation, termination, or
expiration of authorization constitutes an unauthorized encroachment and is subject to removal and
enforcement under Chapters 2 and 26.
(h) This section does not assert County authority over an SCDOT or municipal right-of-way where
the County possesses no ownership interest, easement, maintenance responsibility, or other legal
authority.

SECTION 4. IMPLEMENTATION
(a) Within thirty days after the effective date of this Ordinance, the County Administrator shall direct
all County departments and offices subject to County Council’s lawful administrative authority to
identify:
1. Existing County-funded or County-administered contracts, subscriptions, permits, memoranda of
understanding, data-contribution agreements, hosting arrangements, and other arrangements
involving mass surveillance technology;
2. Cameras, microphones, sensors, scanners, drones, equipment, or other devices located on County
property or within County-controlled rights-of-way that may participate in a prohibited mass
surveillance system;
3. County expenditures supporting such systems;
4. County-owned equipment, software, networks, databases, accounts, or credentials used to
operate, host, maintain, connect, or contribute locally collected information to such systems;
and
5. Pending applications for discretionary County distributions involving participating governmental
entities or municipally sponsored events.
(b) Within sixty days after the effective date, the County Administrator shall present County Council
with an implementation report.
(c) County staff shall revise County grant, recreation-fund, accommodations-tax, sponsorship,
procurement, contracting, information-technology, property-use, and encroachment-permit
documents before the next applicable application, procurement, renewal, or award cycle.
(d) The County Administrator shall cause the permanent substantive provisions of Sections 1, 2, and
3 to be submitted for codification in Chapters 2, 30, and 26, respectively.

SECTION 5. EXISTING OBLIGATIONS
Nothing in this Ordinance shall be interpreted to impair a binding contract, bond covenant, vested
property right, final court order, or mandatory distribution in violation of controlling law.

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The County Attorney shall review any claimed existing obligation and advise County Council and
County staff concerning the lawful method of termination, nonrenewal, disconnection, removal, or
compliance.
No County-funded contract, permit, subscription, data-contribution agreement, hosting agreement,
memorandum of understanding, or other arrangement may be renewed, extended, expanded, or
materially modified in a manner inconsistent with this Ordinance.

SECTION 6. SEVERABILITY
Should any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, definition, application, or
provision of this Ordinance be declared unconstitutional, preempted, invalid, or unenforceable by a
court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.
County Council declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance and each section, subsection,
paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, definition, application, and provision independently of any
portion subsequently declared invalid or unenforceable.
If application of the accommodations-tax provisions to a particular category of revenue or recipient is
declared invalid, the remaining restrictions concerning other accommodations-tax revenues, County
general funds, recreation funds, grants, County property, County-controlled rights-of-way, County
contracts, County personnel, information-technology systems, and other County resources shall
remain in effect.

SECTION 7. CONFLICTING PROVISIONS
All ordinances, resolutions, policies, practices, contracts, approvals, permits, or actions of the County
inconsistent with this Ordinance are repealed, revoked, rescinded, or superseded only to the extent of
the inconsistency and only to the extent permitted by law.

SECTION 8. CODIFICATION
The Clerk to Council and the County’s codifier are authorized to:
1. Make any technical adjustments to article, division, and section numbering that are necessary to
conform to the Code, without changing the substantive codification placements specified
herein;
2. Correct typographical and grammatical errors;
3. Update cross-references;
4. Format the provisions consistently with the Oconee County Code of Ordinances; and
5. Make other nonsubstantive changes necessary for codification.
No codification change may alter the meaning or substantive effect of this Ordinance.
Sections 1, 2, and 3 are expressly intended to be permanent provisions of the Oconee County Code of
Ordinances and shall be codified in Chapters 2, 30, and 26, respectively.

SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption following the required readings
and public hearing, except that:
The funding-eligibility, grant, award, contract, renewal, and authorization provisions of this
Ordinance apply prospectively to applications, awards, contracts, renewals, permits, and

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authorizations submitted, made, or arising on or after the effective date. No discretionary award
approved before the effective date shall be rescinded solely on the basis of this Ordinance. This
prospective-application provision does not limit the existing-system, County-property, County-rightof-way, nonrenewal, or existing-obligations provisions of this Ordinance.
1. Existing-system identification shall occur within thirty days;
2. Required application and administrative forms shall be revised within sixty days or before the
next applicable funding cycle, whichever occurs first; and
3. Removal, disconnection, termination, or disabling of existing systems shall proceed according to
the notice, cure, contractual, property-right, and legal-review provisions contained herein.

ORDAINED in meeting, duly assembled, this ____ of ________________, 2026.

ATTEST:
Jennifer C. Adams
Clerk to Oconee County Council
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
Public Hearing:

2026-26

Matthew Durham
Chair, Oconee County Council

August 18, 2026
September 01, 2026
September 15, 2026
September 15, 2026

Page 32

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF OCONEE

ORDINANCE 2026-27

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 2, “ADMINISTRATION,” OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA, BY ADDING ARTICLE
VIII, ENTITLED “POSITION AUTHORIZATION AND CLASSIFICATION CONTROL”;
TO REQUIRE ALL COUNTY POSITIONS, REGARDLESS OF FUNDING SOURCE, TO
BE INCLUDED IN A POSITION AUTHORIZATION AND CLASSIFICATION
SCHEDULE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNCIL; TO PROVIDE THAT THE RECEIPT
OR AVAILABILITY OF A GRANT, STATE APPROPRIATION, DONATION,
RESTRICTED REVENUE, FEE, OR OTHER FUNDING DOES NOT INDEPENDENTLY
AUTHORIZE THE CREATION OR CONTINUATION OF A COUNTY POSITION; TO
ESTABLISH UNIFORM PROCEDURES FOR THE CREATION, RECLASSIFICATION,
CONTINUATION, EXPIRATION, AND ABOLITION OF COUNTY POSITIONS; TO
PRESERVE LAWFUL APPOINTMENT AND PERSONNEL AUTHORITY; TO PROHIBIT
CIRCUMVENTION; AND TO PROVIDE FOR CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY,
CONFLICTING PROVISIONS, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Oconee County Council is the governing body and responsible fiscal authority of
Oconee County;
WHEREAS, Section 4-9-25 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina authorizes counties to enact
ordinances necessary and proper for the general welfare, convenience, and good government of the
county and requires that county powers be liberally construed in favor of the county;
WHEREAS, Section 4-9-30 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina authorizes County Council to
make appropriations for the functions and operations of the County and to establish, prescribe, modify,
and abolish county offices, departments, boards, commissions, and agencies, subject to the Constitution
and general law of the State;
WHEREAS, Section 4-9-140 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina requires County Council to
adopt annual operating and capital budgets and authorizes Council to require reports, estimates, and
statistics from county agencies and departments necessary for Council to perform its duties as the
responsible fiscal body of the County;
WHEREAS, Section 4-9-630 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina provides that the County
Administrator shall administer personnel policies, salary plans, and classification plans approved by
County Council and shall exercise employment and discharge authority subject to the appropriation of
funds by County Council;
WHEREAS, the creation of a position may create financial and operational obligations extending
beyond the period during which a grant, state appropriation, donation, or other outside funding source
remains available;
WHEREAS, County Council finds that transparency, fiscal accountability, consistency, and
responsible management require all positions within county government to be expressly authorized by
County Council, regardless of the proposed source of salary, benefits, equipment, facilities,
administrative support, or other costs associated with the position;
WHEREAS, County Council intends to regulate the authorization, classification, funding, and
continued existence of county positions without improperly exercising the hiring, supervision,
disciplinary, or discharge authority lawfully assigned to the County Administrator, an elected official, an
appointed board, a department head, or another appointing authority; and
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WHEREAS, County Council finds that the acceptance or availability of outside funds should not,
by itself, permit a county entity to expand the size, scope, or recurring obligations of county government
without legislative authorization.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the County Council of Oconee County, South Carolina,
in meeting duly assembled, that the Code of Ordinances of Oconee County is amended as follows:
SECTION 1. CHAPTER 2 AMENDED
Chapter 2, “Administration,” of the Code of Ordinances of Oconee County, South Carolina, is amended
by adding Article VIII, entitled “Position Authorization and Classification Control,” Sections 2-550
through 2-565, to read as follows:
ARTICLE VIII. POSITION AUTHORIZATION AND CLASSIFICATION CONTROL
Sec. 2-550. Purpose and legislative intent.
(a) The purpose of this article is to establish a uniform and transparent system under which County
Council determines the total number, classification, and organizational placement of positions
authorized within county government.
(b) County Council retains legislative authority to determine whether a position is authorized to exist,
subject to the Constitution and general law of the State of South Carolina.
(c) Nothing in this article authorizes County Council or an individual council member to select, appoint,
hire, supervise, discipline, evaluate, or discharge a particular employee when such authority is assigned
by law to the County Administrator, an elected official, an appointed board, a department head, or
another lawful appointing authority.
(d) The authorization of a position is distinct from: (1) the selection or appointment of the individual
who occupies the position; (2) the day-to-day supervision of an employee; (3) employee discipline or
discharge; (4) the assignment of duties reasonably within an authorized classification; and (5) other
administrative personnel decisions lawfully assigned to the County Administrator or another appointing
authority.
Sec. 2-551. Definitions.
For purposes of this article, the following words and phrases have the meanings stated in this section:
Authorized Position
“Authorized position” means a full-time, part-time, temporary, seasonal, grant-funded, state-funded,
restricted-fund, or other employment position that is expressly included in the position authorization and
classification schedule approved by County Council or has otherwise been expressly authorized by
ordinance. The term does not include a bona fide independent contractor who satisfies the requirements
of this article.
County
“County” means Oconee County, South Carolina.
County Entity
“County entity” means a county department, division, office, agency, program, institution, board,
commission, committee, authority, or other entity created by County Council or operating as a
component or function of Oconee County government; the Oconee County Public Library System and
its Board of Trustees; an office or operation administered by the County Administrator; an office of an
elected or appointed county official to the extent the position at issue is funded, compensated, insured,
classified, administered, or supported by Oconee County and is not exclusively controlled by the
Constitution or general law of the State; and any other organizational unit whose employees are treated
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as county employees for payroll, benefits, retirement, workers’ compensation, liability coverage,
human-resources administration, or other employment purposes. The term does not include a
municipality, an independent special purpose district, or another separate political subdivision merely
because the entity receives a county appropriation, grant, or distribution, unless the entity or position has
been legally incorporated into county government.
Employee
“Employee” means an individual providing services in an employer-employee relationship, without
regard to whether the individual is classified as full-time, part-time, temporary, seasonal, provisional,
probationary, at-will, grant-funded, state-funded, or otherwise.
Outside Funds
“Outside funds” means money or financial support received or anticipated from a source other than
unrestricted county general-fund revenue, including federal, state, or regional grants; state aid or state
appropriations; donations, gifts, bequests, or contributions; restricted or designated revenues; special
revenues; fees, charges, fines, or program income; reimbursements; proceeds received under an
agreement with a public or private entity; foundation or nonprofit funding; funds held in trust or for a
restricted purpose; and any other external or non-general-fund revenue.
Position authorization and Classification Schedule
“Position authorization and classification schedule” means the official schedule approved by County
Council identifying the employment positions authorized within county government. The schedule may
identify the county entity or organizational unit; the position title or classification; the number of
authorized positions or full-time equivalents; whether the position is full-time, part-time, temporary, or
seasonal; the assigned pay grade or compensation range; the principal funding source; whether the
position is subject to a funding expiration date or other condition; and any other information County
Council determines necessary for fiscal or organizational control.
Position
“Position” means an employment role or set of continuing employment duties intended to be performed
by one or more employees. The term includes a full-time-equivalent position, a part-time position, a
shared position, and a position divided among multiple employees.
Sec. 2-552. County Council authorization required.
(a) Every position within a county entity, regardless of funding source, must be expressly included in the
position authorization and classification schedule adopted by County Council or otherwise expressly
authorized by ordinance.
(b) No county entity may create, establish, advertise, recruit for, fill, appoint an individual to, employ an
individual in, or continue a position unless the position has been authorized in accordance with this
article.
(c) The acceptance, receipt, award, availability, transfer, or expenditure of a grant, state appropriation,
state aid, donation, gift, restricted revenue, fee, reimbursement, program income, or other funding does
not independently authorize the creation, filling, or continuation of a county position.
(d) An appropriation to a county entity, approval of a budget, authorization to apply for or accept
outside funding, approval of a grant agreement, or approval of an expenditure does not authorize a
position unless County Council’s action expressly identifies the position or classification, the number of
positions or full-time equivalents authorized, the county entity to which the position is assigned, and any
expiration date, funding limitation, or other condition applicable to the position.
(e) No position may be implied from historical practice, the availability of funding, an internal budget
transfer, an organizational chart, a job description, a personnel requisition, a grant application, a grant
award, an administrative approval, or the authority of a county entity to receive or expend funds.
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Sec. 2-553. Outside funds do not independently authorize positions.
(a) A county entity seeking to use outside funds for personnel costs must obtain express authorization
for the position before advertising or recruiting for the position, making an offer of employment,
appointing or assigning an individual to the position, entering into an employment commitment,
charging salary or benefits to the outside funding source, or representing to the funding source that the
County has committed to establish or continue the position.
(b) Before requesting authorization for an outside-funded position, the requesting county entity shall
disclose the proposed title and classification, duties and organizational placement, total projected salary
and benefit cost, funding source and restrictions, beginning and ending dates of funding, matching-fund
requirements, potential county costs and liabilities, any expectation of continuation after the funding
expires, and the proposed disposition of the position when the funding ends.
(c) Unless County Council expressly provides otherwise by ordinance, an outside-funded position
terminates upon the earliest of the expiration or exhaustion of the funding, the expiration date specified
in the position authorization, the loss of eligibility to use the funds for personnel expenses, or abolition
of the position by County Council.
(d) The expiration of outside funding does not create an entitlement to continued employment or require
the County to continue the position using unrestricted or other county revenues.
(e) No county entity may transfer, supplement, or substitute county funds to continue an outside-funded
position beyond its authorized term without prior approval by ordinance of County Council.
Sec. 2-554. Annual position authorization and classification schedule.
(a) The County Administrator shall submit a proposed position authorization and classification schedule
to County Council with the proposed annual operating budget.
(b) The proposed schedule must include every position within each county entity covered by this article,
regardless of funding source.
(c) The position authorization and classification schedule shall be adopted as part of the annual budget
ordinance. Any amendment to the schedule during the fiscal year must be approved by a subsequent
ordinance amending the annual budget ordinance.
(d) The schedule must distinguish among regular full-time positions, regular part-time positions,
temporary or seasonal positions, positions funded wholly or partially by outside funds, positions subject
to a fixed expiration date, and vacant but authorized positions.
(e) The schedule shall identify the total authorized full-time-equivalent positions for each county entity
and for county government as a whole.
(f) The County Administrator and Human Resources Director shall maintain the official administrative
record of the schedule as approved and subsequently amended by County Council.
(g) No administrative document, internal spreadsheet, personnel roster, or organizational chart may alter
the number or classification of authorized positions established by County Council.
Sec. 2-555. Creation, continuation, reclassification, and abolition of positions.
(a) A new position may be created only through express inclusion in the annual budget ordinance or by a
subsequent ordinance amending the annual budget ordinance.
(b) A request to create a position must include the proposed position title and classification, job
description, assigned county entity and organizational unit, number of positions or full-time equivalents
requested, compensation grade or range, complete annualized salary and benefit cost, funding source,
operational justification, permanent or temporary status, expiration date if any, and anticipated future
costs or obligations.
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(c) County Council may authorize, deny, limit, condition, defer, or establish an expiration date for a
proposed position.
(d) A material reclassification requires prior approval by County Council when the reclassification
creates a substantially different function or occupation, moves the position into a higher compensation
grade, materially expands the scope of a program or service, changes a temporary or outside-funded
position into a regular or continuing position, extends a position beyond its authorized expiration date,
results in increased annualized compensation or benefit costs not authorized in the adopted budget, or
otherwise has the practical effect of creating a new position.
(e) Routine administrative adjustments that do not increase the number of authorized positions, change
the essential function of a position, expand a program, or exceed compensation authority approved by
County Council may be administered by the County Administrator in accordance with the County’s
personnel policies and classification plan.
(f) County Council may abolish, reduce, consolidate, condition, or establish an expiration date for an
authorized position by ordinance, subject to applicable constitutional, statutory, contractual, and
employee-grievance requirements.
(g) The abolition of a position is a legislative and organizational action and is not a directive concerning
the discipline or discharge of a particular employee. Implementation shall be performed by the official
or entity possessing lawful personnel authority.
Sec. 2-556. Vacancies and transfer of position authority.
(a) A vacancy does not abolish an authorized position unless County Council has established an
expiration date, the position is abolished by ordinance, the annual schedule does not continue the
position, or a funding or other condition upon which authorization depends has expired.
(b) An authorized but vacant position may not be transferred from one county entity, department,
division, program, classification, or principal function to another without prior approval by County
Council when the transfer would materially change duties or classification, increase compensation or
benefits beyond existing authority, establish or expand a county service or program, continue a position
after outside funding expires, or circumvent this article.
(c) Position authority belongs to the approved classification and organizational unit and may not be
treated as an unrestricted personnel allowance.
Sec. 2-557. Independent contractors and circumvention prohibited.
(a) No county entity may avoid this article by designating an employee or employment relationship as
an independent contractor, consultant, professional-service provider, temporary-agency worker, leased
employee, compensated volunteer, employee of a foundation or nonprofit organization, or any similar
designation.
(b) In determining whether an arrangement constitutes a position, the County shall consider the degree
of control exercised over the individual’s work, whether the duties are continuing or indefinite, whether
the individual performs substantially the same duties as a county employee, whether the services are
integral to an ongoing county operation, whether the County provides workspace, equipment,
supervision, scheduling, or administrative support, whether the individual represents the County to the
public, whether compensation is based primarily on time worked rather than completion of a defined
deliverable, and applicable federal and state standards.
(c) A bona fide independent contractor performing a defined service or delivering a specified work
product under a procurement or professional-services agreement is not a position solely because the
contractor provides services to the County.
(d) No contract may be used to provide continuing personnel services when the arrangement’s primary
purpose or effect is to avoid Council authorization of a position.
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(e) A contract that would provide the functional equivalent of a continuing county position for more
than six months must specifically disclose that fact to County Council before approval or execution.
Successive contracts, amendments, renewals, or changes in vendors must be considered together.
Sec. 2-558. Elected officials and positions controlled by state law.
(a) This article shall not be interpreted to interfere with the constitutional or statutory authority of an
elected official to select, appoint, supervise, discipline, or discharge personnel.
(b) Except where general law expressly provides otherwise, positions funded, compensated, insured,
classified, or administratively supported by the County remain subject to County Council’s
appropriation authority, the total position authorization established by County Council, countywide
personnel and compensation policies lawfully applicable to the position, and the reporting requirements
of this article.
(c) When general law mandates the existence, number, compensation, or appointment of particular
personnel, that law controls to the extent of any direct conflict.
(d) The County Administrator and County Attorney shall identify any position believed to be wholly or
partially exempt and provide County Council with the legal basis for the exemption.
Sec. 2-559. Boards, commissions, authorities, and component units.
(a) A county board, commission, authority, institution, or component unit does not possess independent
authority to create a county position merely because it possesses authority to manage a county function,
select or appoint staff, receive or expend grants or other revenues, adopt an internal budget, enter into
contracts, or recommend personnel or organizational changes.
(b) Unless general law expressly provides otherwise, all positions within such an entity must be included
in the position authorization and classification schedule approved by County Council.
(c) After County Council authorizes a position, the board, commission, authority, or other entity
possessing lawful appointment and personnel authority retains that authority, subject to applicable law
and county policy.
(d) Nothing in this section authorizes County Council or an individual council member to direct the
selection, supervision, discipline, or discharge of a specific employee when such authority is vested
elsewhere by law.
Sec. 2-560. Temporary and emergency personnel.
(a) The County Administrator may authorize temporary or seasonal personnel only within the number of
positions, total full-time-equivalent authority, total compensation authority, and duration approved by
County Council.
(b) In response to a declared emergency affecting life, health, safety, or property, the County
Administrator may employ temporary emergency personnel without prior position authorization when
the employment is reasonably necessary, delay would materially impair the response, the employment
does not exceed sixty days unless extended by ordinance, and written notice is provided to County
Council within five business days identifying the number of individuals, duties, duration, funding
source, and estimated cost.
(c) This section does not authorize the establishment of a permanent or continuing position without
Council approval.
Sec. 2-561. Certification and reporting.
(a) The County Administrator, Human Resources Director, and Finance Director shall establish
administrative procedures necessary to enforce this article.
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(b) Before an individual is added to the County payroll or benefit system, Human Resources and
Finance shall verify that the position is authorized, assigned to the correct county entity and
classification, supported by sufficient compensation authority, funded through a lawful and available
source, and subject to any documented expiration date or condition.
(c) No salary, benefit, stipend, allowance, or other personnel expense may be paid for an unauthorized
position.
(d) The County Administrator shall provide County Council with a position report at least quarterly
showing authorized positions by county entity, filled and vacant positions, full-time-equivalent totals,
positions funded wholly or partially by outside funds, positions scheduled to expire within twelve
months, material reclassifications, temporary emergency personnel, and any variance or suspected
noncompliance.
(e) Each county entity shall provide information requested to verify compliance.
Sec. 2-562. Effect of unauthorized action.
(a) An administrative action, internal approval, job posting, offer, appointment, employment agreement,
funding transfer, or other commitment made in violation of this article does not bind the County beyond
the extent required by applicable law.
(b) Upon discovering a suspected violation, the County Administrator shall prevent additional
expenditures to the extent legally permissible, notify the Chairman of County Council and County
Attorney, determine the legal, financial, and personnel consequences, present a corrective-action
recommendation to County Council, and take lawful administrative action to prevent continued
noncompliance.
(c) Nothing in this section eliminates any right afforded to an affected employee under state or federal
law, the County’s grievance procedure, an enforceable contract, or an applicable personnel policy.
(d) An employee shall not be personally penalized solely because the employee accepted or occupied a
position that the employee reasonably believed had been properly authorized.
Sec. 2-563. No entitlement or guarantee of employment.
(a) Authorization of a position does not guarantee that the position will be filled.
(b) Authorization of a position does not create a contract of employment, property interest in
employment, guarantee of continued funding, guarantee that the position will continue in a future fiscal
year, or limitation upon lawful appointment, supervision, discipline, or discharge authority.
(c) All positions remain subject to funding availability, applicable law, County personnel policies, and
future legislative action by County Council.
Sec. 2-564. Construction.
(a) This article shall be construed to preserve the lawful separation between County Council’s
legislative, fiscal, organizational, appropriation, position-authorization, and policy-making authority and
the administrative and personnel authority vested in the County Administrator, elected officials,
appointed boards, department heads, and other appointing authorities.
(b) When this article conflicts with a specific requirement of the Constitution or general law of the State
of South Carolina, the Constitution or general law controls only to the extent of the direct conflict.
(c) The receipt of funds carrying conditions imposed by federal or state law does not waive the
requirements of this article unless compliance is expressly prohibited by controlling law.

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Page 7

Secs. 2-565—2-575. Reserved.
SECTION 2. Implementation.
The County Administrator, Human Resources Director, Finance Director, and County Attorney are
directed to take all lawful actions necessary to implement this ordinance and ensure that all county
positions are administered consistently with the positions authorized in the annual budget ordinance.
SECTION 3. Codification.
The provisions of Section 1 shall be codified in Chapter 2, Article VIII, sections 2-550 through 2-564, of
the Code of Ordinances of Oconee County, South Carolina. The Clerk to Council and the County’s
codifier may correct manifest typographical, grammatical, numbering, and cross-reference errors and
may make nonsubstantive formatting corrections necessary for codification, provided no substantive
change is made.
SECTION 4. Severability.
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or provision of this ordinance is for any
reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, that determination shall not
affect the validity of the remaining portions. County Council declares that it would have adopted this
ordinance and each portion thereof irrespective of the fact that one or more portions may be declared
invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 5. Repeal of Conflicting Provisions.
All ordinances, resolutions, policies, practices, and prior actions in conflict with this ordinance are
repealed or superseded to the extent of the conflict. Any provision that is not in conflict remains in full
force and effect.
SECTION 6. Savings Clause.
Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to impair a vested contractual right, eliminate an employee
grievance right established by law, or authorize an employment action contrary to state or federal law.
SECTION 7. Effective Date.
This ordinance takes effect immediately upon approval following third reading.

ORDAINED in meeting, duly assembled, this _____ day of ____________, 2026.
ATTEST:
Jennifer C. Adams
Clerk to Oconee County Council
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
Public Hearing:

2026-27

Matthew Durham
Chair, Oconee County Council

August 18, 2026
September 01, 2026
September 15, 2026
September 15, 2026

Page 8

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF OCONEE

ORDINANCE 2026-28

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 2-191, “APPOINTMENT;
DUTIES,” OF DIVISION 4, “COUNTY ATTORNEY,” OF ARTICLE III,
“OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES,” OF CHAPTER 2, “ADMINISTRATION,”
OF THE OCONEE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, IN ORDER TO
REQUIRE COUNTY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION BEFORE A COUNTY
AGENCY, COMMISSION, BOARD, DEPARTMENT, OR COMMITTEE
MAY EMPLOY OR RETAIN AN ATTORNEY OTHER THAN THE
COUNTY ATTORNEY; AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO.
WHEREAS, Oconee County, South Carolina (“County”), acting by and through the Oconee
County Council (“County Council”), is authorized by Sections 4-9-25 and 4-9-30 of the South
Carolina Code of Laws to enact ordinances necessary for the governance, administration, and
general welfare of the County; and,
WHEREAS, Section 2-191 of the Oconee County Code of Ordinances establishes the
position, duties, and responsibilities of the County Attorney; and,
WHEREAS, the County Attorney is responsible for providing legal services to County
Council, the County Administrator, and County departments and agencies; and,
WHEREAS, County Council finds that the centralized provision and coordination of legal
services promotes consistency in the County’s legal positions, protects the attorney-client
privilege, reduces unnecessary legal expenses, and ensures proper oversight of the expenditure of
public funds; and,
WHEREAS, County Council therefore desires to require its specific authorization before
any County agency, commission, board, department, or committee may employ, retain, contract
with, or otherwise engage an attorney other than the County Attorney.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Oconee County Council, in meeting
duly assembled, that:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 2-191.
Section 2-191, “Appointment; duties,” of Division 4, “County Attorney,” of Article III, “Officers
and Employees,” of Chapter 2, “Administration,” of the Oconee County Code of Ordinances is
hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 2-191. Appointment; duties; retention of other attorneys.
The County Attorney shall be an employee of the County and shall be compensated on a
mutually agreeable basis, with the usual benefits of a County employee. The County Attorney
shall provide legal services to the County Council, the County Administrator, and County
departments and agencies. The County Attorney shall serve under the management of the County
Administrator, in coordination with, and pursuant to, the directives and policies of County
Council. The County Attorney may be subject to a contract of employment, to be executed by the
County Administrator on behalf of the County at the direction of the County Council.
No County agency, commission, board, department, or committee shall employ, retain,
contract with, or otherwise engage an attorney other than the County Attorney unless
specifically authorized by County Council. Any such authorization shall be granted by
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Page 1

motion, resolution, or ordinance duly approved by County Council and shall identify the
agency, commission, board, department, or committee authorized to obtain separate legal
counsel.
SECTION 2. EXISTING LEGAL REPRESENTATION.
Nothing in this Ordinance shall terminate or impair an existing contract for legal services that
was specifically approved by County Council before the effective date of this Ordinance. Any
renewal, extension, amendment, or replacement of such contract shall require specific
authorization by County Council in accordance with Section 2-191.
SECTION 3. CONFLICTING PROVISIONS.
All ordinances, resolutions, policies, and provisions of the Oconee County Code of Ordinances
that are inconsistent with this Ordinance are repealed or amended to the extent necessary to give
effect to this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. SEVERABILITY.
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or provision of this Ordinance is
held invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such determination shall not
affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
SECTION 5. CODIFICATION.
The provisions of Section 1 of this Ordinance shall be codified as part of the Oconee County
Code of Ordinances. Sections of this Ordinance that are temporary, transitional, or administrative
in nature need not be codified.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon approval following third reading by
County Council.
ORDAINED in meeting duly assembled this _____ day of __________________, 2026.

ATTEST:
Jennifer C. Adams
Clerk to Oconee County Council
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
Public Hearing:

2026-28

Matthew Durham
Chair, Oconee County Council

August 18, 2026
September 01, 2026
September 15, 2026
September 15, 2026

Page 2

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF OCONEE

RESOLUTION 2026-10

A RESOLUTION APPOINTING AND COMMISSIONING GRETCHEN
LEROY AS A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (ANIMAL CONTROL)
FOR THE PROPER SECURITY, GENERAL WELFARE, AND
CONVENIENCE OF OCONEE COUNTY; AND OTHER MATTERS
RELATED THERETO.
WHEREAS, Oconee County, South Carolina (the “County”), is a body politic and
corporate and a political subdivision of the State of South Carolina;
WHEREAS, consistent with the powers granted to county governments by S.C. Code § 49-30 and pursuant to S.C. Code § 4-9-25, the County has the authority to enact regulations,
resolutions, and ordinances not inconsistent with the Constitution and general law of the State of
South Carolina, including the exercise of such powers in relation to health and order within its
boundaries and respecting any subject as appears to be necessary and proper for the security,
general welfare, and convenience of the County or for the preservation of health, peace, order, and
good government therein;
WHEREAS, consistent with S.C. Code §§ 47-3-20 and 4-9-145 and O.C. Code §§ 20-30
through 32, the Oconee County Council (the “Council”) may appoint and commission, by
resolution, as many code enforcement officers as may be necessary for the proper security, general
welfare, and convenience of the County; and,
WHEREAS, in order to promote a clean, healthy, and safe environment for the citizens of
Oconee County, the Council deems it proper to appoint and commission code enforcement officers
(animal control) authorized to carry out all tasks necessary and incidental to enforce those Oconee
County ordinances related to the proper security, general welfare, and convenience of the County
in connection with animal control.
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by Council in meeting duly assembled that:
Section 1.
Gretchen Leroy is hereby appointed and commissioned as a code
enforcement officer for Oconee County for the purpose of providing for the proper security,
general welfare, and convenience of the County, replete with all the powers and duties conferred
by law upon constables in addition to such duties as may be imposed by the governing body of the
County, and with all the powers and duties conferred pursuant to the provisions of S.C. Code § 49-145. Provided, however, this individual shall not perform any custodial arrests in the exercise
of their duties as code enforcement officers.
Section 2.
The code enforcement authority possessed by this individual shall extend
throughout the entirety of Oconee County, but such authority shall be limited to enforcing those
ordinances and regulations that are related to the proper security, general welfare, and convenience
R2026-10

of the County as regards animal control. All enforcement activities shall be conducted in a manner
consistent with local, state, and federal law.
Section 3.
The County Administrator, with the consent of the Oconee County Sheriff,
shall execute and provide each code enforcement officer with a Certificate of Commission and
such other credentials as are deemed necessary to serve as evidence of their appointment and
commissioning hereby.
Section 4.
The above named person(s) shall serve as a code enforcement officer until
their appointment and commission is revoked or their employment with Oconee County
terminates.
Section 5.
Should any term, provision, or content of this Resolution be deemed
unconstitutional or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
determination shall have no effect on the remainder of this Resolution.
Section 6.
enactment.

This Resolution shall take effect and be in force immediately upon

RESOLVED this _____ day of ______________, 2026, in meeting duly assembled.

ATTEST:
Jennifer C. Adams
Clerk to Oconee County Council

R2026-10

Matthew Durham
Chair, Oconee County Council

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF OCONEE

RESOLUTION 2026-11
A RESOLUTION CONSENTING TO AND AUTHORIZING THE ANNEXATION INTO
THE CITY OF SENECA OF CERTAIN PROPERTY OWNED BY OCONEE COUNTY
AND PRESENTLY DESIGNATED BY TAX MAP NO. 520-36-10-017
WHEREAS, Oconee County, South Carolina (the “County”) is the owner of certain real property
comprised of 111.082 acres, more or less, as shown and more fully described as “Parcel B-1” on a plat
prepared by Gregory Blake Sosebee, P.L.S. #14818, for Oconee County, South Carolina, and the City of
Seneca, South Carolina, dated March 29, 2011, revised April 9, 2012, and recorded on April 25, 2012,
in Plat Book B403 at Pages 6 and 7 in the real property records of Oconee County, South Carolina, a
copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Property”); and
WHEREAS, the County and the City of Seneca (the “City”) (collectively, the “Parties”) entered
into an Intergovernmental Agreement dated November 29, 2010, as well as an Amendment thereto
dated April 16, 2012 (collectively, the “Agreements”), which enumerated the rights,
responsibilities, and obligations of the Parties regarding the Property; and
WHEREAS, Section 3 of the Agreements provides that, subsequent to the City’s acquisition of
certain neighboring property and the County’s acquisition of the Property (collectively, the
“Development Property”), the City shall annex the Development Property, and further provides that the
County shall cooperate with the City for the annexation of the Property; and
WHEREAS, the County, as sole owner of the Property, previously submitted a petition for the
Property to be annexed into the City by ordinance pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 5-3-150(3); and
WHEREAS, the City previously annexed the Property by Ordinance No. 2014-18 pursuant to the
requirements of S.C. Code Ann. § 5-3-150(3); however, Ordinance No. 2014-18 incorrectly cited S.C.
Code Ann. § 5-3-100, which governs an alternate method of annexation for entire areas owned by the
annexing municipality or county; and
WHEREAS, due to the scrivener’s error and oversight described above, the respective
resolutions contemplated by S.C. Code Ann. § 5-3-100 were not duly adopted by the City and the
County; and
WHEREAS, on April 16, 2026, the Chair of Oconee County Council transmitted a letter to the
Mayor of the City asserting that the annexation of the Property was not completed in accordance with
the requirements of S.C. Code Ann. § 5-3-100 and, as a result, the Property does not lie within the city
limits of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City has undertaken curative action to confirm the proper and
complete annexation of the Property pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 5-3-100, to the extent the Property
was not previously annexed; and
WHEREAS, S.C. Code Ann. § 5-3-100 provides that when territory proposed to be annexed to a
municipality belongs entirely to the county in which the municipality is located and is adjacent thereto,
it may be annexed by resolution of the governing body of the municipality and the governing body of
the county, followed by passage of an ordinance to that effect by the municipality; and
WHEREAS, the City has requested that the County fulfill its obligation under Section 3 of the
Agreements to cooperate with the City for annexation of the Property by adopting a resolution
evidencing the County’s intent and consent to have the Property annexed into the City; and

Page 1

WHEREAS, Oconee County Council finds that consenting to the annexation of the Property into
the City of Seneca, to the extent necessary to complete or confirm such annexation, is consistent with
the Agreements and is in the best interests of the County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Oconee County Council, in Council
duly assembled, that Oconee County hereby expresses its intent and gives its consent to the annexation
of the Property described above and shown on Exhibit A into the City of Seneca, South Carolina,
pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 5-3-100, to the extent such annexation is necessary to correct, complete,
confirm, or recommence the annexation process for the Property. The County further authorizes and
directs its officers and staff to cooperate with the City as reasonably necessary to complete the
annexation process in accordance with applicable law and the Agreements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its
adoption.
DONE AND DULY ADOPTED by the Oconee County Council, South Carolina, in Council duly
assembled this ____ day of __________________, 2026.

ATTEST:
________________________________

Jennifer C. Adams
Clerk to Oconee County Council

__________________________________

Matthew Durham
Chair, Oconee County Council

APPROVED AS TO FORM:
__________________________________
Rob Chumley
Oconee County Attorney

Page 2

EXHIBIT A
Plat of Property - Parcel B-1
Plat Book B403 - Exhibit A (Source Page 4)

Page 3

Plat Book B403 - Exhibit A (Source Page 5)

Page 4

Plat Book B403 - Exhibit A (Source Page 6)

Page 5

AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
OCONEE COUNTY, SC

COUNCIL MEETING DATE: August 18, 2026
COUNCIL MEETING TIME: _____6:00 PM____
ITEM TITLE:
Request for Council’s acceptance of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Grant offer for Airport
Improvement Program (AIP) Project No. 3-45-0016-039-2026 and Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Project No.
3-45-0016-040-2026 with approval to commit a total of $11, 335.00 in matching funds, and to authorize the County
Administrator to execute all necessary Grant documents pertaining to the Airport Layout with Master Plan
Narrative Project.
BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION:
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates civil aviation, manages the national air traffic control
system, and establishes and enforces aviation safety standards throughout the US. As part of these responsibilities,
the FAA collects and analyzes data for each Airport, including aircraft operations, aircraft size, and aircraft
approach speed. This information is used to determine the appropriate airport design classification and to establish
the applicable design standards for airport facilities, including runways, taxiways, and associated safety areas, in
accordance with FAA airport design criteria.
•

July 2025, The FAA notified Oconee County Regional that the airport’s current category B2 classification
has been reclassified to category C2 due to the increase in the volume of aircraft traffic, as well as the
larger size and higher operating speeds of aircraft utilizing the airport. Airport category/classification
changes require the preparation and submittal of a new Airport Layout Plan (ALP) and accompanying
Master Plan Narrative. These documents will reflect the airport’s reclassification from Category B2 to
Category C2 by incorporating the applicable C2 design standards, identifying facilities that currently meet
B2 standards, and outlining the future improvements necessary to achieve compliance with C2 standards.

•

May 1, 2026, Airport Engineering Consultant firm, Ardurra Group, Inc. assisted Oconee County in the
preparation and submission of an Airport Layout Plan and accompanying Master Plan Narrative Project
application to the FAA for funding consideration under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and
Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) programs.

•

July 20, 2026, Oconee County received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Grant offer under the
Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Project No. 3-45-0016-039-2026 and the Airport Infrastructure Grant
(AIG) Project No. 3-45-0016-040-2026 for the Airport Layout Plan with Master Narrative Project.

The Oconee County Regional Airport now wishes to accept the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport
Improvement Grant (AIP) Project No. 3-45-0016-039-2026 and the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Project No.
3-45-0016-040-2026 for the Airport Layout Plan with Master Narrative Project.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS OR CONCERNS:
Timely acceptance of these grants is crucial to ensure FAA funding for the Airport Layout Plan with Master
Narrative Project. The grant offers must be accepted and submitted to the FAA no later than August 20,2026, in
order to secure funding for the project.

Council has directed that they receive their agenda packages a week prior to each Council meeting, therefore, Agenda Items
Summaries must be submitted to the Administrator for his review/approval no later than 12 days prior to each Council meeting.
It is the Department Head / Elected Officials responsibility to ensure that all approvals are obtained prior to submission to the
Administrator for inclusion on an agenda.
A calendar with due dates marked may be obtained from the Clerk to Council.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The total cost for the Airport Layout Plan with Master Plan Narrative project is approximately $453,398.00. The
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has offered to fund ninety-five percent (95%) of the eligible costs up to
$430,728.00. Oconee County will provide a local matching share of two and a half percent (2.5%) approximately
$11,335.00. The remaining two and a half percent (2.5%), also totaling $11,335.00 will be funded by the South
Carolina Aeronautics Commission (SCAC).
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. FAA AIP Project No. 3-45-0016-039-2026 Grant Offer.
2. FAA AIG Project No. 3-45-0016-040-2026 Grant Offer.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Prepared and Submitted to Council By:

Approved for submittal to Council:

__________________________________

___________________________________
Stewart O. Jones, County Administrator

Council has directed that they receive their agenda packages a week prior to each Council meeting, therefore, Agenda Items
Summaries must be submitted to the Administrator for his review/approval no later than 12 days prior to each Council meeting.
It is the Department Head / Elected Officials responsibility to ensure that all approvals are obtained prior to submission to the
Administrator for inclusion on an agenda.
A calendar with due dates marked may be obtained from the Clerk to Council.

D4



THE JOURNAL

NOTICES
PUBLISHERS NOTICE
This newspaper will not knowingly
accept any false or misleading advertising. We advise you to investigate on your own, and take any
steps necessary to ascertain the
validity of any advertising before
exchanging money or entering into
any contractual agreements. The
Journal provides no guarantees
and will not be held liable for any
items or services advertised.

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LEGALS
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF OCONEE IN THE
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS C/A
No.: 2026-CP-37-00439 Carrington
Mortgage Services, LLC, Plaintiff
vs. Charles James; Vickie Hawkins;
any other Heirs-at-Law or Devisees
of Tony James aka Tony R. James
aka Tony Ray James, Deceased,
their heirs, Personal
Representatives, Administrators,
Successors and Assigns, and all
other persons entitled to claim

through them; all unknown persons with any right, title or interest
in the real estate described herein;
also any persons who may be in
the military service of the United
States of America, being a class
designated as John Doe; and any
unknown minors or persons under
a disability being a class designated as Richard Roe, Defendant(s).
SUMMONS AND NOTICES (NonJury) FORECLOSURE OF REAL
ESTATE MORTGAGE TO THE
DEFENDANT(S) ABOVE NAMED:
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED
and required to appear and
defend by answering the Complaint
in this action, a copy of which is
hereby served upon you, and to
serve a copy of your Answer on the
subscribers at
their offices at 339 Heyward Street,
2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201,
within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of
such
service; except that the United
States of America, if named, shall
have sixty (60) days to answer after
the service hereof, exclusive of the
day of such service; and if you fail
to do so, judgment by default will be
rendered
against you for the relief demanded
in the Complaint. YOU WILL ALSO
TAKE NOTICE that Plaintiff will
move for an Order of Reference or
the Court may issue a general Order of Reference of this action to a
Master-in-Equity/Special Referee,
pursuant to Rule 53 of the South
Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.
TO MINOR(S) OVER FOURTEEN
YEARS OF AGE, AND/OR TO
MINOR(S) UNDER FOURTEEN
YEARS OF AGE AND THE PERSON WITH WHOM THE MINOR(S)
RESIDES, AND/OR TO PERSONS
UNDER SOME LEGAL DISABILITY: YOU ARE FURTHER
SUMMONED AND NOTIFIED
to apply for the appointment of a
guardian ad litem
within thirty (30) days after the service of this Summons and Notice
upon
you. If you fail to do so, application
for such appointment will be made
by Attorney for the Plaintiff. NOTICE OF FILING OF COMPLAINT
TO THE DEFENDANTS ABOVE
NAMED: YOU WILL PLEASE
TAKE NOTICE that the original
Complaint, Lis Pendens, and Certificate of Exemption from ADR in
the above entitled action was filed
in the Office of the Clerk of Court
for OCONEE County on May 20,
2026. J. Martin Page, Esq. (SC Bar:
100200) Morgan Ames, Esq. (SC
Bar: 106058) Austin Blackwell, Esq.
(SC Bar: 105259) Bell Carrington
Price & Gregg, LLC 339 Heyward
Street, 2nd Floor Columbia, SC
29201 Phone (803)
509-5078 BCP No.: 26-42013 8140
NOTICE OF SALE

BY VIRTUE of a decree heretofore
granted in the case of: Nationstar
Mortgage LLC vs. Stephen Underwood; Stephen Underwood, as
Personal Representative of the Estate of Mary Sue Swafford; South
Carolina Department of Revenue;
C/A No. 2026CP3700012, The
following property will be sold on
August 3, 2026, at 11:00 AMat the
Oconee County Courthouse to the
highest bidder All that certain piece,
parcel or tract of land with any improvements thereon or hereafter
placed thereon, lying and being situate in the State of South Carolina,
County of Oconee, Oconee Creek
District, containing five and one-half
acres, more or less, as shown on
plat prepared for Mary Sue Swafford by Jerry E. Byrd, Surveyor dated December 2007 and recorded in
Plat Book P-63 at Page 47 in the
Oconee County Register of Deeds
Office. Reference is hereby made
to said plat for a complete and accurate mete and bounds description of said property.
Derivation: Book 1637 at Page 328
172 Bryant Dr, Walhalla, SC 29691
TMS/PIN# 108-00-01-011
SUBJECT TO ASSESSMENTS,
OCONEE COUNTY AD VALOREM
TAXES, EASEMENTS AND/OR,
RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD,
AND OTHER SENIOR ENCUMBRANCES.
TERMS OF SALE: A 5% deposit
in certified funds is required. The
deposit will be applied towards the
purchase price unless the bidder
defaults, in which case the deposit
will be forfeited. If the successful
bidder fails, or refuses, to make the
required deposit, or comply with his
bid within 20 days, then the property will be resold at his risk. No
personal or deficiency judgment being demanded, the bidding will not
remain open after the date of sale,
but compliance with the bid may be
made immediately. The successful
bidder will be required to pay interest on the amount of the bid from
date of sale to date of compliance
with the bid at the rate of 4.625%
per annum. If for any reason the
Plaintiff’s agent does not appear

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2026

to bid at the sale, the sale will be
deemed canceled. For complete
terms of sale, see Judgment of
Foreclosure and Sale filed with the
Oconee County Clerk of Court at
C/A #2026CP3700012.
NOTICE: The foreclosure deed is
not a warranty deed. Interested bidders should satisfy themselves as
to the quality of title to be conveyed
by obtaining an independent title
search prior to the foreclosure sale
date.
Brian P. Yoho
Attorney for Plaintiff Honorable Melissa C. Burton
P.O. Box 100200 Clerk of Court for
Columbia, SC 29202-3200 Oconee
County
(803) 744-4444
013225-03883 FM
Website:
www.rogerstownsend.
com (see link to Resources/Foreclosure Sales)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES
All persons having claims against
the following estates MUST file their
claims on FORM #371ES with the
Probate Court of OCONEE County,
the address of which is 415 S PINE
ST Walhalla SC 29691,within eight
(8) months after the date of the first
publication of this Notice to Creditors or within one (1) year from
date of death, whichever is earlier
(SCPC 62-3-801, et seq.), or such
persons shall be forever barred as
to their claims. All claims are required to be presented in written
statements on the prescribed form
(FORM #371ES) indicating the
name and address of the claimant,
the basis of the claim, the amount
claimed, the date when the claim
will become due, the nature of any
uncertainty as to the claim, and a
description of any security as to the
claim.
Estate: RANDY EDWARD SOSEBEE
Date of Death: 6/27/2026
Case Number: 2026ES3700438
Personal Representative: JOSHUA
EDWARD SOSEBEE
Address: 249 TIMBER TRAIL TOCCOA, GA 30577
Estate: JAMES KENNEDY ALEXANDER JR
Date of Death: 7/3/2026
Case Number: 2026ES3700439
Personal Representative: PHILLIP
SCOTT
Address: 111 QUEEN DRIVE ANDERSON, SC 29625
Estate: DAWNA JEAN SCHMIEL
Date of Death: 12/17/2025
Case Number: 2026ES3700447
Personal Representative: MARK
OWEN SCHMIEL
Address: 9755 WEST OAK HIGHWAY SENECA, SC 29678
Attorney, if applicable: RICHARD
H. MCDUFF, ATTORNEY AT LAW
Address: 135-C EAGLE'S
NEST DRIVE SENECA, SC 29678
Estate:
THOMAS
FRANKLIN
DOYLE
Date of Death: 5/16/2026
Case Number: 2026ES3700417
Personal Representative: NANCY
LOUISE DOYLE
Address: 111 WELLAND WAY
WESTMINSTER, SC 29693
LEGAL NOTICE FOR WILL FILED
ONLY, JUDGE OF PROBATE
The original Wills of the decedents
listed below were delivered to the
Oconee County Probate Court:
DECEDENT NAME: JAMES WILLIS SUGGS SR
CASE NUMBER: 2026ES3700293
DATE OF WILL 02/09/2011
DATE FILED 05/05/2026
Any person having an interest in
the above listed Wills should contact the Oconee County Probate
Court, 415 S. Pine Street, Walhalla,
SC 29691.
S/ Danny Singleton
Judge of Probate
Oconee County, South Carolina
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES
All persons having claims against
the following estates MUST file their
claims on FORM #371ES with the
Probate Court of OCONEE County,
the address of which is 415 S PINE
ST Walhalla SC 29691,within eight
(8) months after the date of the first
publication of this Notice to Creditors or within one (1) year from
date of death, whichever is earlier
(SCPC 62-3-801, et seq.), or such
persons shall be forever barred as
to their claims. All claims are required to be presented in written
statements on the prescribed form
(FORM #371ES) indicating the
name and address of the claimant,
the basis of the claim, the amount
claimed, the date when the claim
will become due, the nature of any
uncertainty as to the claim, and ad-

escription of any security as to the
claim.
Estate: MARY ANN KNAPPER
Date of Death: 2/12/2026
Case Number: 2026ES3700473
Personal Representative: DRAKE
ENGEL KNAPPER
Address: 3095 SEMMES ST EAST
POINT, GA 30344
Attorney, if applicable: WILLIAM K.
HUBBARD
Address: 1510 BLUE RIDGE BOULEVARD, SUITE 205 SENECA, SC
29672
Estate:
HELEN ALEXANDER
CAMPBELL
Date of Death: 5/20/2026
Case Number: 2026ES3700430
Personal Representative: DEBORAH C BECKNELL
Address:
128
BROOKWOOD
DRIVE SENECA, SC 29678
Estate: JACK MCCLELLAN OWENS JR.
Date of Death: 3/1/2026
Case Number: 2026ES3700442
Personal Representative: KURT
TYLER OWENS
Address: 1319 NORRIS HWY
CENTRAL, SC 29630
Estate: GAIL CELESTINE DELICIO
Date of Death: 6/14/2026
Case Number: 2026ES3700404
Personal Representative: DESTENEE G LA SANCHEZ
Address: 408 SPRINGWOOD DR
ROSELLE, IL 60172
Attorney, if applicable: TJAY M.
BAGWELL
Address: POST OFFICE BOX 400
WALHALLA, SC 29691
Estate: JUDITH CHRISTIAN
Date of Death: 6/6/2026
Case Number: 2026ES3700434
Personal Representative: DIANA
LYNN WINUK
Address: 265 MEGEE RD SALEM,
SC 29676
Estate: JIMMY PITTS
Date of Death: 6/26/2026
Case Number: 2026ES3700444
Personal Representative: MELINDA PITTS
Address: 425 HERITAGE LN
WESTMINSTER, SC
29693
Estate: THELMA JUNE CHURCH
PRICE
Date of Death: 6/11/2026
Case Number: 2026ES3700454
Personal Representative: AARON
GREGORY BRYSON
Address: 718 DAFFODIL ST LAKE
PLACID, FL 33852
Attorney, if applicable: EMMA W
MORRIS
Address: PO BOX 795 SENECA,
SC 29678
Estate: MARGIE LEE GENTRY
Date of Death: 4/26/2026
Case Number: 2026ES3700457
Personal Representative: THOMAS C. GENTRY
Address: 133 OAKBROOK DR
NORTH AUGUSTA, SC 29860
Attorney, if applicable: WILLIAM K.
HUBBARD
Address: 1510 BLUE RIDGE BOULEVARD, SUITE 205 SENECA, SC
29672
Co - Personal
Representative: ROBERT LEE
GENTRY
Address: 905 S OAK ST SENECA
SC 29678
Attorney, if applicable: WILLIAM K
HUBBARD
Address: 1510 BLUE RIDGE BOULEVARD, SUITE 205 SENECA, SC
29672
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES
All persons having claims against
the following estates MUST file their
claims on FORM #371ES with the
Probate Court of OCONEE County,
the address of which is 415 S PINE
ST Walhalla SC 29691,within eight
(8) months after the date of the first
publication of this Notice to Creditors or within one (1) year from
date of death, whichever is earlier
(SCPC 62-3-801, et seq.), or such
persons shall be forever barred as
to their claims. All claims are required to be presented in written
statements on the prescribed form
(FORM #371ES) indicating the
name and address of the claimant,
the basis of the claim, the amount
claimed, the date when the claim
will become due, the nature of any
uncertainty as to the claim, and a
description of any security as to the
claim.
Estate: TONY RAY JAMES
Date of Death: 12/1/2025
Case Number: 2026ES3700041
Personal Representative: WILLIAM
SHANE NINAN
Address: 344 CASESARS HEAD
HIGHWAY
CLEVELAND,
SC
29635
Estate: DONALD A CASS
Date of Death: 2/16/2026

Case Number: 2026ES3700145
Personal Representative: DANIEL
J CASS
Address: 996 DATURA DRIVE ALAMOGORDO, NM 88310
Estate: SHIRLEY HARRON MACMARTIN AKA SHIRLEY MARGARET MACMARTIN
Date of Death: 6/9/2026
Case Number: 2026ES3700421
Personal Representative: SARA
CARLSTROM
Address:
214
CRESTVIEW
COURT SENECA, SC 29672
Attorney, if applicable:
Address:
Co - Personal
Representative: DYAN BIELEWICZ
Address: 20190 BROOKVIEW SQ
ASHBURN, VA 20147
Estate: DALE EVANS WEBB
Date of Death: 5/29/2026
Case Number: 2026ES3700471
Pº

Notice of Board of Zoning Appeals
Hearing
The Board of Zoning Appeals of the
Town of Central, SC will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, August 18th
, 2026 at 6 PM at Town Hall located
at 1067 West Main Street on the following appeal:
Appeal No. 2026—08-01 by An
Med (1490 18 Mile Road, TMS
#4074-00-18-9452) is requesting a
variance concerning the signage
requirements. Documents relating
to the above are available for public
inspection in the office of the zoning administrator at City Hall or you
may email Jennifer Vissage (City
Planner) for a copy of the paperwork ([email protected]).

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell for cash, at an
ONLINE public auction on Monday,
August 3rd, 2026, at 11:00am AT
STORAGETREASURES.COM.
Please note: THIS AUCTION IS
NOT IN PERSON. PLEASE DO
NOT SHOW UP TO OUR PHYSICAL LOCATION. ALL AUCTION
PARTICIPANTS MUST SIGN UP
AND BID ONLINE.
Flex Storage
640 Business Park Drive
Seneca, SC 29678
● 496: LINDA SMITH:510 Return
Church Rd, Seneca, SC 29678
o CONTENTS: Household Furniture, Bins, Boxes, Personal Affects,
Mattress, Bed Frame, Tables and
Chairs.
● 402: ASHLEIGH YACU:314 Pelham Creek Dr, Seneca, SC 29678
o CONTENTS: Boxes, Bins, Bags,
Kitchen Utensils, Tables.
● 385: SAMUEL MCCLUNG:100
Quail Ridge, Seneca, SC 29678
o CONTENTS: Bins, Boxes, Tarps,
Fishing poles, Tools
Oconee County Council will hold a
public hearing at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 in Oconee
County Council Chambers located
at 415 S. Pine St., Walhalla, SC for
the following:

ORDINANCE 2026-24 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
CONVEYANCE OF EASEMENT
RIGHTS TO UPCOUNTRY FIBER
FOR THE PURPOSE OF UTILITY
INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION
AND
MAINTENANCE
AT PROPERTY OWNED BY
OCONEE COUNTY, LOCATED AT
THE INTERSECTION OF NEBO
CHURCH ROAD AND HARBIN
ACRES ROAD, SENECA, SOUTH
CAROLINA, SUCH PROPERTY
CURRENTLY IDENTIFIED BY TAX
PARCEL NUMBER 256-00-04-031;
AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED
THERETO.
ORDINANCE 2026-25 AN ORDINANCE FOR THE PRESERVATION,
REDEVELOPMENT,
AND SALE OF THE HISTORIC
OCONEE
COUNTY
COURTHOUSE LOCATED AT 211 W.
MAIN ST. WALHALLA, SOUTH
CAROLINA; AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS.

PUBLIC NOTICE
CORINTH SHILOH FIRE TAX
DISTRICT
In compliance with the requirements of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Section 30-4-80, the following meeting
notice is hereby provided:
NOTICE OF SPECIAL CALLED
MEETING
A Special Called Meeting of the
Corinth Shiloh Fire Tax District
Board will be held as follows:
Date: Monday, August 3rd, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: 940 Old Clemson Highway
Seneca, South Carolina
AGENDA INFORMATION
The agenda for this meeting will be
posted at the meeting location and
on any publicly available platforms

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026

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PUBLISHERS NOTICE
All real estate advertising In this news•
�r Is sublect 1D Federal Fair Hous·
Ing Ad of 1968 which makes It Illegal
1Dadvertise "any preference, limitations
or discrimination" based on race, color,
religion, sex, handicap, famlnal Slatus
or national origin, or Intention 1D make
any such preference, limitation or dis­
crimination.• This newspaper will not
knowingly accept any advertising for
real eSlate which Is in violation of the
law. Our readers are hereby Informed
that all dwellings advertised In this
newspaper are avallable on an equal
opportunity basis.

=��

LEGALS

and Environme1... ..
struction In N� W1
remove 1n cubic yams � by uslng
an excavator on a barge Al8 edge of
the shoreline and transported by barge
1D the off-load staging area The silt will
be removed from l.flder and arot.nl
the privately owned dock located at
122 l=alr Haven Ct In Seneca, SC on
Lake Keowee. Comments will be re­
ceived by South Carolina Department
of health and Environmental Control
at 2600 Bull St, Columbla SC 29201,
ATTN: Charles Hightower, DlvlsJon of
Water Quality, untJ1 Janua,y 23, 2025.
Public Notice
Sharon SWindale has applied 1D the
South Garollna Department of Health
and Environmental Control for a Con­
struction In Navigable Waters Pennit 1D
remove 256 cubk yams of silt by uslng
an excavator on a barge at the edge of
the shoreline and transported by barge
1D the off-load staging area The silt will
be removed from under and around
the privately owned dock located at
13058 Janda Road In Seneca, SC on
Lake Keowee. Comments will be re­
ceived by South Garolina Department
of healtfi and Environmental Control
at 2600 Bull St, Columbia SC 29201,
ATTN: Charles Hightower, Division of
Water Quality, until January 23, 2025.
The Oconee County Aeronautics
Commission meeting scheduled for
Thursday January 29, 2026 has been
canceled.
The meeting will Instead be held on
Tuesday JanU8J)' V, 2026 at 3:30 pm
In the Oconee County Chambers locat­
ed at 415 S. Pine St., Walhalla, SC.
MEETING NOTICE OF THE PIO­
NEER RURAL WATER DISTRICT
5500 West-Oak Hwy., Westminster,
SC
Tuesday Januaiy 13, 2026 @ 3:00 pm

Agenda·
Callio Order
Concerns of the District
Limited: 2 citizens per meeting. for 5
minutes,
prior scheduling required.
Agenda & Non Agenda Items: Com­
bined both
are limited to a total of forty (40)
minutes, lour
(4) minutes per person.
ADoroval of Minutes
Finaroal Report/ System Report
Treatment Plant PER Discussion
Old Business
New Business
Adjourn

the following dates: April 7, June 18,
August 18, & October 06, 2026.
The Budget, Finance, & Admlnistra·
lion Committee at 9:00 am. on the
following dates: Friday, February 20th
[Stralsglc Planning Aetreat], Friday, •I
February 27th (Budget Workshop)
and 4:30 p.m. on thelollowing dales: . •
March 3, April 21, & May 5, 2026.
The Corinth-Shiloh Fire Commission
will meet during 2026 on the third
Thursday of each month. All Cornmls·
sion meetings, unless otherwise
noted, wiU be held at the Corinth-Slj.
loh Fire Department, 940 Old Clemson
Highway, Seneca, SC 29672, at 6:00
p.m. In the training room.

The Oconee County Council will meet
In 2026 on the first and third Tuesday
of
each month with the following excep­
tions:

The Commission will hold two budget
W0l1<shops on Tuesday, February i2,
and Tuesday, March 6, at 6:00 p.m. at
the lire department The annual
budget meeting will be held on Tu.lr&day, March 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

June and November meetings, which
will be
onty on the third Tuesday of each of
these
months; October and December
meetings, which will be only on the first
Tuesday of each of these
months.
All Council meetings, unless otherwise
noted, are held In Council Chambers,
Oconee County Administrative Offices,
415 South Pine Street,
Walhalla, South Carolina.
Oconee Coooty Council will also hold
a Planning Retreat begimlng at 9:00
am. on Friday, February 20, 202610
establish short- and long-t81Tll 110815Thls meeting will be held off-site at
Tn-Cot.rny TectvllcaJ College, Oconee .
1
Campus,
conference room located at 552
Education w
nster, South
��
Oconee County Council wffi also
meet on Tuesday, JanU8J)' 5, 20V In
Council Chambers at which point they
will establish their 20V Council and
Committee meeting sched�.
Additional CoUOCl1 meetings, WOl1<·
shops, and/or committee meetings
may be added lhroi.ghout the year as
needed.
Oconee County Council Committees
will meet In 2026 prior 1D County
cil meetings on the following dates/
�
times In Courx:11 Chambers located
at
415 South Pine Street, Walhalla,
Carolina unless othelwlse advertised.
The Law Enforcement, Pl.Dile Safety,
Health, & Welfare Corrvnittee at 4:30
p.m. on the following dates: February
17, May 19, July 21, &&n1);
September 15, 2026.
The Transportation Committee at 4:30
p.m. on the following dates: February
17, May 19, July 21, & September 15,
2026.
The Real ES1ate, Facilities, & Land
Management Commltt9e at 4:30 p.m.
on the following dates: Apn1 7, June
16, August 18, & October 06, 2026.
The P1amlng & Economic Development Committee at 4:30 p.m. on

Add"rtlonal Commission meetings •
and/or W0l1<shops may be scheduled
throughout the year as needed. A
monthly schedule Is available at the
fire depal1ment.

I.

Members of the Commission are
Invited 1D attend Corinth-Shiloh
Volunteer Rre Department meetings,
trainings, and community activities.
These events will have no Cornmfs.
sion agenda items and no Commis·
slon action will be taken. The monthly , j'
department meeting Is held on the
first Monday of each month. Training
Is held on the thild Monday of each
month, as well as the Satu"day �
lowing the third Monday. A monthly
schedule of activities, lnduding dales
and times,
Is available at the fire department.
Several fire department oeremonies ,
are plamed for 2026, 1D which the Are
Commission Is Invited. These events ,
will have no Coovnisslon agenda items ..
and no Commission action wiR be � .
taken. Scheduled events loclude Meet � '
�
the Chief on JanU8J)' 15 from 5:00
p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and
the Transfer of Command on Friday, 1
February V, at 6:00 p.m. Sooimer
and tan family events, Station ()pen
Houses and other C0ITll1lUl1lty tire
department events, and the annual
Chrislmas dimer has not yet been
scheduled. Once
finalized, dales, times, and locations •
will be available at the fire department
These events will have no Commis- - sion agenda Items and no Commisslon :
action will be taken.
Commission agendas win be available
and publicized no later than the day
prior 1D the scheduled meeting and«
wor1<shopat
www.c:orinthshllohf.com. Al meetings �
and W011<shops, wflh the exception of
executive sessions, are open 1D the
.e!!!!!_lc.

ICLASSIFIEDS WORK!I�;

--��-�-�-�����___:___::·<'

Oconee County
Council

The Oconee County Council will meet in 2026 on the first and third Tuesday of each
month with the following exceptions:
• June and November meetings, which will be only
on the third Tuesday of each of these months;
• October and December meetings, which will be
only on the first Tuesday of each of these months.
All Council meetings, unless otherwise noted, are held in Council Chambers,
Oconee County Administrative Offices, 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, South
Carolina.

Oconee County
Administrative Offices
415 South Pine Street
Walhalla, SC 29691
Phone: 864-718-1023
Fax: 864 718-1024
E-mail:

[email protected]

John Elliott
District I

Matthew Durham
Chairman
District II
Don Mize
Vice Chairman
District III

Thomas James
Chairman Pro Tem
District IV
J. Glenn Hart
District V

Oconee County Council will also hold a Planning Retreat beginning at 9:00
a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026 to establish short- and long-term goals. This
meeting will be held off-site at Tri-County Technical College, Oconee Campus,
conference room located at 552 Education Way, Westminster, South Carolina.
Oconee County Council will also meet on Tuesday, January 5, 2027 in
Council Chambers at which point they will establish their 2027 Council and
Committee meeting schedules.
Additional Council meetings, workshops, and/or committee meetings may
be added throughout the year as needed.
Oconee County Council Committees will meet in 2026 prior to County
Council meetings on the following dates/times in Council Chambers located at 415
South Pine Street, Walhalla, South Carolina unless otherwise advertised.
The Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Health, & Welfare Committee at
4:30 p.m. on the following dates: February 17, May 19, July 21, &
September 15, 2026.
The Transportation Committee at 4:30 p.m. on the following dates: February
17, May 19, July 21, & September 15, 2026.
The Real Estate, Facilities, & Land Management Committee at 4:30 p.m. on
the following dates: April 7, June 16, August 18, & October 06, 2026.
The Planning & Economic Development Committee at 4:30 p.m. on the
following dates: April 7, June 16, August 18, & October 06, 2026.
The Budget, Finance, & Administration Committee at 9:00 a.m. on the
following dates: Friday, February 20th [Strategic Planning Retreat], Friday, February
27th [Budget Workshop] and 4:30 p.m. on the following dates: March 3, April 21, &
May 5, 2026.