WINNSBORO – After Fairfield County Council voted Monday night to award an unnamed former employee $50,000 to settle a claim against the county, Councilman Douglas Pauley informed The Voice that he plans to call for a motion to reconsider the vote at the next council meeting. “We were, basically, not given any information during executive […]
Pauley calls out Whitaker for charging group lunch to county
June 16, 2022 By
Council awards $50K to settle former employee claim WINNSBORO – Heated exchanges made it even hotter inside Fairfield County Council chambers Monday night. As council members fanned themselves in the 85 degree room, questions over county spending reached a boiling point during Malik Whitaker’s county administrator report. It started when Councilman Doug Pauley asked Whitaker […]
Fairfield Comprehensive Plan survey results are in
June 9, 2022 By
WINNSBORO – Poor road conditions, few shopping options and pervasive litter are among the list of grievances Fairfield County residents noted in a recent Comprehensive Plan community survey, distributed by the county. Wasteful government spending also came up often, with residents frequently blaming the current county council majority for these and other deficiencies. “I’ve never […]
Fairfield Council members spend while cutting back departments
June 2, 2022 By
WINNSBORO – Three Fairfield County Council members traveled to a seaside resort last summer to learn more about county government. They registered for a few classes and stayed extra nights. These expenses and others highlight an apparent pattern of frequent travel, double billing and other fiscal abuses found during a review of council member reimbursements. […]
County Council takes $285K from fund balance to cover earmarks
May 26, 2022 By
Council Budgeted More for Itself Than for Economic Development WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council members authorized $285,000 in last minute spending as part of the $41.3 million budget approved Monday night, raiding what Council Chair Moses Bell has frequently called “the depleted fund balance” to do so. The majority five council members also declined taking […]
Gilbert: Council salaries should be cut in FY 22-23
May 19, 2022 By
Councilman Trapp: ‘I Don’t Think That’s Legal.’ WINNSBORO – Fee increases, adding new positions, and cutting council member salaries are among the last minute alterations under consideration in Fairfield County’s proposed $41.3 million budget. But it was an existing budget item that would fund Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office raises that’s giving at least one council […]
Bell quizzed on disparity of funding for rec centers
May 12, 2022 By
WINNSBORO – Drawdy Park is a recreation hub in Fairfield County. More than 300 kids compete in baseball, softball and other sporting activities during the peak summer season. It’s a place where proud parents cheer on their sons and daughters as they triumphantly round the bases. It’s a place where memories are made. “Drawdy Park […]
County responds to Town’s solid waste fee lawsuit
May 5, 2022 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County denies that its $63 per ton solid waste fee double-bills Winnsboro town residents who also pay county property taxes to dump their trash, according to new court filings. A year ago, the county expanded the fee to include the Town of Winnsboro and Fairfield County School District. Winnsboro challenged that decision, […]
MTC president questioned on how county funding is spent
April 28, 2022 By
WINNSBORO – With Fairfield County considering tax increases and agency cuts to balance the budget, questions arose during a work session Tuesday about how the county funds Midlands Technical College. MTC president Ronald Rhames acknowledged this year’s $155,100 funding request – up from about $143,000 last year – would be spent not only in Fairfield […]
Ridgeway rec center sign defaced
April 27, 2022 By
RIDGEWAY – The sign announcing the location of the new $2.5M recreation center to be built in Ridgeway was defaced last week with the words: “Stop wasting our $$.” The location is on Highway 21 between Ridgeway and Blythewood. During the county council meeting Monday night, Chairman Moses Bell addressed the incident. “I was saddened […]
