Richland County Council announces funding for CDBG COVID-19 projects and community impact grant recipients

Richland County Council met for a special called meeting December 13. The following members were present: Bill Malinowski, Derrek Pugh, Yvonne McBride, Paul Livingston, Allison Terracio, Joe Walker III, Gretchen Barron, Overture Walker, Jesica Mackey, Cheryl English, and Chakisse Newton.

Pugh presented a proclamation recognizing Wayne L. Richardson’s retirement and a resolution honoring Vince Ford.

Newton made a motion to direct the county administrator to move forward with filling the vacancies identified in the Public Safety Assessment and to utilize the funding available for the current fiscal year. The motion was approved.

There was discussion on the topic of Richland County forming a public-private partnership for the purpose of economic development in the county.

Barron presented the following recommendations from the Rules and Appointments committee: David Bergman (Accommodations Tax Committee), Thaddeus Simmons (East Richland Public Service District Commission), L.L. Buddy Wilson (Lexington Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council), and Virginia Crocker, Patrick Palmer, Justin Shinta, James Manning,

Mary Mazzola Spivey, and Ronald Scott (Richland Memorial Hospital Board.) The recommendations of the committee were approved.

Barron presented the recommendation of the Coronavirus Ad Hoc Committee to award $150,000 from Community Development Block Grant COVID-19 (CDBG-CV) federal funds. The two projects awarded were to Palmetto Place would get $70,000 for PPE and counseling services to serve 100 homeless individuals in Richland County. MIRCI (Mental Illness Recovery Center) would get $80,000 for direct client assistance and one licensed mental health professional solely dedicated to the Unincorporated Richland County area to support coronavirus recovery programs targeted to serve 200 homeless individuals. The recommendations of the committee were approved.

English presented the recommendations of the Community Impact Grants Ad Hoc Committee totaling $259.445.75 in funding. There were 26 organizations that received funding in this cycle. The recommendations of the committee were approved.

FY23 District 4 and District 1 Hospitality Tax Allocations recommended to the council were approved.