Lee voters to decide county's sewer future

By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer
rburns@theitem.com

BISHOPVILLE – Lee County voters will decide today if the county is going to venture into the sewer collection business.

Lee County Council is asking the voters to vote yes to the referendum question on the ballot.

All polling places open at 7 a.m. today and will close at 7 p.m.

Officials are asking voters to support construction of a sewer line near Interstate 20 and allow the county to operate and maintain the sewer system.

Chairman Charles Arthur Beasley said the action by the voters is needed to enable the council to apply for federal grants to establish the sewer collection system near I-20 between Bishopville and Camden.

"This will put the county in a position to attract more industry and business, creating jobs and tax revenue needed to support our schools and provide services to the people of Lee County," Beasley said.

There has been no formal opposition for the measure, officials said.

"We have had some questions about the funding of the project," said County Administrator Bobby Boland. "We will not be using any local tax revenue for this. This will be funded solely by federal grants, but we can't apply for the grants without the support of the voters. We've got to create jobs through commercial and industrial development. We have water with Cassatt Water, but we have to have a sewer system near the interstate."

County council and the Bishopville City Council have entered into a contractual agreement that will enable the county to tie into the city's wastewater treatment facility. The county will be responsible for construction of a sewer collection system and will extend sewer lines that will connect with the city's wastewater treatment facility.

The state constitution requires the county to obtain the approval of voters before developing a sewer and water system, said County Attorney Paul Fata.



Contact Staff Writer Randy Burns at rburns@theitem.com or (803) 491-4533.