Council facing financial emergencies: penalties, fines, late audit and more

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

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

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 […]

After 10 months of silence, council faces questions regarding admin search

Pauley: Admin Hiring Process Could Take 6 More Months WINNSBORO – During Monday night’s council meeting, council member Dan Ruff questioned Council Chairman Douglas Pauley as to why, after 10 months, council has not hired a firm to recruit a new county administrator. Ruff also wanted to know when the county would post the job […]

Subdivision of more than 1,000 homes proposed for Fairfield County

FAIRFIELD COUNTY — As many as 1,000 to 1,600 residential units could be coming to Fairfield County if Fairfield County Council approves a request from Haven Homes to rezone 392 acres from Industrial (I-1) zoning to Residential 2 (R2) zoning. The property, bordered by Gum Springs Road, Devil’s Race Track and Highway 34, was rezoned […]

Public comments limited as accusations of bad behavior fly

WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council Chair Douglas Pauley announced at Monday night’s council meeting that council would no longer allow the public to speak during the second public comment session of council meetings. In that session, speakers are allowed to address any issue concerning the county. Pauley said the decision to eliminate that session was […]

Fairfield County Council to raise taxes, borrow $3.5M, spend $100K more on RW rec center

WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council is one vote away from enacting a tax increase – two months after approving the county’s annual budget. In a 5-2 vote, council members voted to approve an eight-mill increase, increasing the tax rate from 182.3 to 190.3 mills. Council members Shirley Greene and Tim Roseborough voted in opposition. The […]

Council recommends sending wastewater to the Broad

WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council members unanimously want to dispose of further debate about the direction it takes with the proposed wastewater treatment plant. On Monday night, council members voted 7-0 to recommend that the Fairfield County Joint Water Sewer Authority adopt the proposed Broad River discharge site over Cedar Creek. Council members concluded that […]

Letter: Save the Farmers Market!

I am asking County Council to please support the Fairfield Farmers & Artisans Market by removing the rental fee recently implemented for the use of the building on market days. The market is an asset to citizens, farmers, and county businesses. Fairfield County is a designated food desert, and the market is a way for […]

Late Fairfield County audit reveals $95M in adjustments

WINNSBORO – Incorrectly maintained ledgers requiring nearly $96 million in adjustments more than tripled the amount of time originally projected to complete the county’s annual audit, now six months late. The bulk of that $96 million consisted of Dominion settlement funds, unreconciled transactions, and assorted banking records. For future audits, auditors recommended additional training for […]

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