The former mayor of Springdale is now re-engaging with local leadership.

Council members face local opposition to high density housing and school overcrowding issues.

Eric Mann prays for guidance and unity at the County Council meeting kickoff.

Council approves application for ASPCA grant following successful animal rescue by Britney.

Planning staff told the commission the county has recorded 335 site-built residential permits through the early third-quarter period and is on track for roughly 1,600 single-family permits in 2026; manufactured-home permits stand at about 80 so far.

A regional branding effort led by the Midlands Business Leadership Group and Shernoff Newman presented '3 Rivers' as an umbrella identity for the riverfront trail linking Lake Murray to Columbia and Casey; River Alliance will own and maintain the brand.

The Capital Project Sales Tax Commission voted to recommend that the county postpone a penny‑sales‑tax referendum until 2027 to allow alignment with an upcoming county traffic study and expanded public outreach; council agreed to prepare a resolution for consideration.

Lexington School District 4 told the planning commission it has capacity for roughly 4,915 students, about 1,500 seats currently available, and used a 0.42 student-per-house yield to estimate that 11 approved subdivisions at full buildout (about 2,279 homes) could add roughly 1,000 students; the district said large capital projects typically require a 2–4 year bond referendum process.

Council approved the Central Midlands Council of Governments' Hazard Mitigation Plan, which town officials said enables access to FEMA mitigation funds in the event of natural disasters.

Batesburg-Leesville council approved Change Order No. 4 to decommission the former water plant, Bridal Pump Station and Towne Pond facilities, approving $656,713 for contractor work after amending the contract to remove an exclusion about abandoned water lines.

Lexington County Council voted to join multi‑jurisdiction litigation against ultra‑processed food makers and approved an attorney fee agreement with Kaski Law Firm; the motion passed with one recorded 'no' vote from Councilman Bishop.

On third reading the council approved Ordinance 26‑09 authorizing execution of a fee‑in‑lieu agreement and multi‑county park benefits for Prisma Cable Systems USA LLC (Project Rembin), citing chapters of the South Carolina Code of Laws.

The county was allocated $58,727 in FY26 Edward Byrne JAG funding; sheriff and magistrate court staff proposed applications totaling $58,727 with allocations proposed for magistrate court ($7,047), sheriff's department ($45,220) and sister-care services ($6,460). Council also approved acceptance of a VOCA allocation ($168,614) and a VAWA award ($133,063); both require in-kind or operating transfers to cover personnel costs.

Riverbanks Zoo representative Lachlan Wooten told council the Bridge to the Wild project will add an elevated boardwalk, restaurant and new habitats (primates, red pandas, tigers) across roughly 4.5 acres. Staff expect construction to begin in 2027, with vertical building in 2028 and possible guest openings in 2028'29 depending on approvals and animal moves.

State DES staff and the county presented how the EPA/state "larger common plan" definition — which can consider plats, sales pitches or stakes as evidence a plan exists — may cause aggregate 1-acre disturbance thresholds to trigger engineering and stormwater permits, raising concerns about cost and unintended burdens for rural homeowners.

Commission members reviewed background materials on data centers, raised concerns about energy use, lobbying, annexation and long-term reuse of infrastructure, and asked staff to circulate a draft special industrial (I2) zoning classification for consideration at the next meeting with attorney review.

The unincorporated area in central Lexington County has exploded with neighborhoods and retail businesses — and the traffic that comes with it.

YouTube video by The Random Patriot

"I was completely and utterly disrespected," said 15-year-old Marissa Barnwell at the time

County officials presented the FY2026–27 requested budget totaling $395,799,747 and a requested general fund of $262,652,196; the county administrator said estimated revenues of $305,250,242 leave a projected shortfall of about $90,549,505. The county also received its annual audit with no material compliance findings.

After a lengthy and contentious discussion, Lexington County committees voted to stop sending the current school‑district questionnaire as part of the county’s concurrency review process and directed staff to revisit metrics and school‑district engagement.

County committees voted to accept several law-enforcement and victim‑services grants, including a $296,574.95 body‑worn camera award and multiple smaller awards; some grants require in‑kind matches and internal operating transfers.

The Lexington County Planning Commission received a development activity report showing elevated single‑family permits for the year, heard that several concurrency projects were decided by county council, was notified of a $56,022.53 certified-funds deposit for Emmanuel Creek Phase 2B, and learned the county selected Stantec to prepare a countywide