By Al Dozier
Irmo residents will soon see an increase in yearly sanitation fees.
At the May 21 meeting, the Irmo Town Council gave a second and final reading to an ordinance adjusting the yearly fees for sanitation collection, stormwater management and uniform service fees from $300 per year to $346.50 a year, with an increase each additional year equal to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Council members said the increase is necessary to keep up with vendor costs and is still less than that of nearby communities in the Irmo area.
The council gave a first reading of an ordinance adopting the capital budgets for Fiscal Year 24-25. The budget totals $10,206, 875, a 9.4 percent increase over last year. The budget includes a cost of living increase and STEP increases. The budget also provides for the purchase of four new police vehicles and the hiring of a code enforcement officer.
A public hearing on the budget will be held at the next council meeting.
The council gave first reading to an ordinance updating the town’s regulations on property maintenance to comply with the International Property Maintenance Code, which sets widely used maintenance rules and regulations throughout the nation. The ordinance clarifies what constitutes a nuisance. It also adds a new section governing the storage of non-operating equipment and vehicles. The ordinance replicates state law on residential demolition.
Town officials said the code enforcement will no longer be carried out by police, but by the town’s regular employees. Several council members noted that residents were often alarmed when approached by a police officer about a simple code violation.
In other action, the council approved a contract with Custom Audio & Lighting in the amount of $39,250 for production services during the annual Okra Strut Festival.
The council also approved a $37,000 contract with Barrs Recreation to purchase park equipment for Rawls Creek Park. This will add benches, trash receptacles and water fountains.
The council approved an agreement with the Richland County Public Works Department for the placement of speed bumps on Chadford Road, where speeding has been a problem. Plans also call for the road to be resurfaced.
The council gave first reading to an ordinance increasing the number of voting members on the Event Committees from 5 to 7.
“More hands make for less work,” said Councilwoman Barb Waldman.
The council gave a final reading to an ordinance changing the appointment date of members of the Board of Zoning Appeals to commence on April 1. The change was described as a “housekeeping” measure.
The council also approved an update in the town’s insurance policies to allow participation in State Insurance Benefits program.
The School Showcase featured a presentation by Lori Grant, assistant principal at Dutch Fork High School on the various activities featured at the school, including the arts program and the schools STEM programs and the Beta Club. She also pointed out the football team’s win of the 5A State Championship.
The council recognized guHRoo HR and Payroll as the May 2024 Small Business of the Month.
New in-town businesses recognized included: Brothers and Beers III, LLC.,2736 North Lake Drive; Core Technology Solutions, 1204 Lexington Avenue 1-A; Nails by Terry, 1144 B Moseley Ave.; Mark G. Pelletier, DSS PA, 900 Lake Murray Blvd.; S Miller Creates, 7336 Woodrow St.
Upcoming community events announced during the meeting included: Irmo Night Out with the Lexington County Blowfish, May 25; Battle of the Bands, June 15; Juneteenth, June 19 at the Community Park; Unveiling of the Irmo First Responders Memorial, May 28 at 10 a.m. at the Irmo Town Park.
