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9:00 – 9:30 AM Edgefield County Chamber of Commerce, 416 Calhoun Street, Johnston. 10:30 AM Edgefield Senior Citizens Center, 400 Church Street, Edgefield. 7:00 PM Reception at Persimmon Hill Country Club. Come Discuss Today’s Important Issues and Share Your Views
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County to see $30,000 savings with new administrator

web posted September 25, 2006

COUNTY – Edgefield County Council Chairman Monroe Kneece told EdgefieldDaily.com that the deadline for the County Administrator’s job has closed and there have been about twelve applicants seeking the job. Hiring the new county administrator will also save the county over $30,000 a year with the offered salary being advertised at $64,000, far below former Administrator Wayne Adams’ more than $94,000 salary.

Chairman Kneece said he has not seen the names of the applicants yet, but felt that there were people in the county that he thought would be qualified for the position. He did not elaborate as to whom he was referring.

The low number of applicants surprised Chairman Kneece saying the last time the county advertised the position they had over one hundred apply. “Right now there are five or six counties looking for an administrator,” Mr. Kneece said, stating that could be a factor in the low number of applicants.

The County Council will also be addressing the second and third reading of the amended budget being held within minutes of each other at the September 5 meeting. South Carolina state law (SC Code 4-9-120) states that there must be no less than seven days between the second and third readings of any ordinance and all reading must be held on separate days. There must also be a public hearing held, which was not done as the second reading replaced the public hearing.

Mr. Kneece stated the council has been in touch with the Upper Savannah Council on Governments’ attorneys seeking a way to correct the errant vote without having to begin a new ordinance and holding three more readings. According to Chairman Kneece, the council will rescind their previous votes and hold a public hearing and a second reading at the October 3 council meeting. Whether or not the council can legally erase their votes has not been confirmed. “We made a lot of mistakes,” Chairman Kneece said, “but we’re getting them straightened out.” Mr. Kneece said there were so many items added to the agenda he became confused at the September meeting and called for the two votes.

Chairman Kneece also stated the council would be resolving the issue of interim administrator Barbara Stark holding duel offices in October. A replacement for the Clerk to Council will be appointed temporarily until a new administrator is hired, at which time Mrs. Stark will resume her duties as the council’s clerk. Some government insiders have supposed that Mrs. Stark may be positioning herself for the permanent position as administrator. That would be doubtful, as Mrs. Stark has no “administrative and executive” experience in a similar position, a requirement of the job.

Regarding the vote behind closed doors by the Election Commission on the Residency Hearing of school board hopeful Nathaniel Jackson, Chairman Kneece stated the county council had no authority over the commission other than their appointment. Chairman Kneece agreed the vote was improper.

The Election Commission found that Mr. Jackson is eligible to run in the November race. Zach Bush, of Johnston, challenged Mr. Jackson’s residency and has appealed the decision. The case has been filed in Circuit Court but was later remanded to the Court of Common Pleas. No trial date has been set. Mr. Jackson’s name will appear on the ballot and if Mr. Bush is successful in his appeal, votes for Mr. Jackson will be thrown out.


 

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