Mayor thanked two state partners for helping secure $3,440,000 in state funding for stormwater mitigation; visiting guests and councilors emphasized collaboration across city, state, and federal funding sources.

Cayce City Council voted unanimously Oct. 21 to join four proposed PFAS settlements and authorized city officials to file claims and execute settlement documents after attorney review; the director of utilities will verify the city's claims.

City staff briefed council on Opportunity Zones 2.0 nominations that would extend areas eligible for capital-gains deferral incentives; staff said nomination results are expected Jan. 1 and that investments held 10 years may erase capital-gains tax liability.

Council adopted the updated 2026 Central Midlands Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan to maintain federal grant eligibility, strengthen community resilience, and align the city with regional planning requirements; Gregory Sprouse attended to answer questions.

On first reading the council approved a $20.14 million general fund and $55.1 million utilities fund budget, including a 4% COLA, a proposed 4.97-mill increase and a 7% water/sewer rate increase; councilors debated adding roughly two extra mills as a contingency and the measure passed 4–1 with the mayor dissenting.

Council approved multiple hospitality and accommodations tax awards totaling several thousand dollars, separating items tied to potential conflicts so recused members could sit out votes. A public commenter criticized perceived inconsistent fiduciary standards and flagged a council member’s board role on a grant applicant.