WINNSBORO – It’s another budget year and once again, Fairfield County likely has to dip into reserves to deliver a balanced budget. On Monday night, council members voted unanimously to approve first reading of the proposed $44.6 million budget. Two more readings are required to finalize the budget. Because Fairfield County Council chooses to vote […]
Court stays Town of Winnsboro’s solid waste payments
April 18, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – The Town of Winnsboro is entitled to an order staying the requirement for payment of a monthly $63 per ton waste disposal fee to the Fairfield County government, Judge Brian Gibbons, Chief Administrative Judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit ruled last week. The stay was ordered until a final order of the Court […]
Fairfield County Council tables Comp Plan following criticism for inaccuracies
April 11, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council deferred second reading of its comprehensive plan – already four years overdue – after a private resident noted numerous significant errors in the draft document. On Monday night, the council voted unanimously to table second reading until the next meeting in two weeks. Interim administrator Clay Killian said tabled votes […]
Auditor issues county clean opinion and material weakness
March 14, 2024 By
Audit Presented Late for Third Consecutive Year WINNSBORO – Fairfield County failed to follow “certain accounting, reporting, and reconciling procedures,” resulting in incomplete and inaccurate financial reporting, according to the 2023 audit. Mauldin & Jenkins, the Columbia financial firm that conducted the audit, issued a “material weakness” in the audit. The material weakness stems from […]
Killian begins whittling down County’s $1.4M IRS penalties
March 7, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – Clay Killian is a strong, patient man who sees the big picture, according to one of his closest former colleagues. Aiken County Chairman Gary Bunker, who worked with Killian for over a decade, says Fairfield County’s new interim administrator brings a plethora of experience and is adept at seeing the big picture. “There […]
Admin reports on appeals for $1.4M
February 29, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County is looking into ways to appeal approximately $1.4 million in IRS debt and penalties that came to light in December. On Monday night, interim administrator Clay Killian outlined a series of steps he’s pursuing to try to cancel as much of the IRS debt as possible. In a report to council, […]
Recognizing Excellence
January 25, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – At Monday night’s County Council meeting, Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley was honored for being named the SCASA Secondary Principal of the Year. Swilley, principal of Fairfield Central High School, was surprised with the award on Dec. 8, 2023 at school. “She has earned a reputation for developing positive relationships with students, parents, and […]
Council facing financial emergencies: penalties, fines, late audit and more
January 11, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council held off on hiring a new administrator Monday night as the county continues to grapple with fallout from IRS fines and penalties totaling about $1.4 million, and Interim Administrator Laura Johnson’s unauthorized payment of those penalties without informing council until more than six months later. The criticism continued Monday night, […]
Blackstock Mini Park
November 30, 2023 By
Fairfield County cut the ribbon for the new Blackstock Mini Park on Nov. 16. The park, which includes picnic tables, a swing set, a jungle gym and a .16 mile walking trail, is located at 1776 Overlook Rd., in Blackstock.
Fairfield County Council reverses direction on filling vacant administrator position
October 27, 2023 By
WINNSBORO – At the Oct. 9 county council meeting, Chairman Doug Pauley announced council would hire a recruiting firm within two weeks to begin a search for a county administrator. At Monday night’s county council meeting he announced a change in plans. “Instead of hiring an expensive firm to recruit a county administrator, a decision […]
