Newberry City Council Advances Key Financial Measures for Infrastructure Development

Newberry City Council Moves Forward with Important Financial Decisions

NEWBERRY — At a recent meeting, the Newberry City Council took significant steps to enhance the city’s infrastructure and operations. During the session on Thursday, August 15, 2024, the council authorized the second and final reading of an ordinance for the lease-purchase of a vacuum truck, which will assist in the city’s wastewater management efforts.

Lease-Purchase of a Vacuum Truck

Mayor Foster Senn highlighted that the vacuum truck is essential for the wastewater division. The planned principal amount for this lease-purchase agreement will not exceed $550,000. Furthermore, the financing for this purchase is set at an interest rate of 4.59% over a term of four years.

The motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance was presented by Councilperson Lemont Glasgow and seconded by Councilperson Jackie Holmes. This decision reflects the council’s commitment to ensuring that the city has the necessary equipment to maintain and improve its infrastructure.

Transfer of Funds for Infrastructure Grant

The council also approved a substantial financial request on the same day, authorizing the transfer of up to $3,500,000 from the city’s rate stabilization fund to the gross revenue checking account. This request was made by City Manager Jason Taylor, who explained it is necessary to provide matching funds for a South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority grant.

Newberry has been awarded $10 million from the South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program (SCIIP) — the highest amount possible — but to secure these funds, the city is required to match $2.5 million.

According to Taylor, “While the funds for this match were already included in the budget, we needed specific authorization to move the funds due to the grant’s timeline.” These funds will target the upgrade of two outdated sewer line intersections within the city, which were originally installed in 1977.

With a deadline to bid for the project by December 2024, Taylor emphasized the urgency in moving forward: “We need to complete the project by December 31, 2026, as these lines have outlived their lifespan.”

Additionally, Taylor noted that part of the sewer line near Belfast Road had recently failed. The city is already incurring costs of $750,000 with another $200,000 pending for repairs. These unexpected expenses have contributed to the current need for the transfer of funds.

Next Steps for the City Council

The motions to approve both financial measures were well-received, with Councilperson Carlton Kinard making the motion for the transfer and Councilperson Edwin Wicker seconding it.

The council is set to meet again on Tuesday, September 10, at 7 p.m. As the city progresses with these initiatives, residents can look forward to improvements in essential services that will enhance their quality of life in Newberry.