Batesburg-Leesville continues to search for a city manager, shares a solar panel grant and approves financial audit despite accounting errors

Batesburg-Leesville is still looking for a city manager after the previous manager was fired by the council last May. Following an executive session during the regular council meeting on Aug. 12, the council extended the city manager position for 30 days. In addition, acting city attorney Parker Poe will continue to assist the city.
Jay Hendrix is ​​serving as interim city manager. He previously served as deputy city manager.
In financial news, Council discussed the audit for the 2022-23 fiscal year presented by McGregor and Company. Council and Mayor agreed with the audit and recommendations, with the exception of Councilmembers Steve Cain, Betty Hartley and Shirley Mitchell.
Cain said he “cannot trust the raw audit data” and that “internal controls” need to be improved.
The accounting firm pointed out setbacks, pointing out numerous manual errors and required reconciliations. No missing funds were found and staff has corrected its errors and continues to do so.
The accounting needed to be corrected and followed up. It was recommended that the city undergo a single annual audit, which a grant for bridging works would help with.
Three regulations pass the second reading
In other news, the council passed three second readings of several different ordinances with general consent. The council passed a second reading of a rezoning of the property at 532 West Columbia Ave. The property is general commercial in use and is slated for conversion to office and public commercial space.
Another second reading was passed for lots 361 and 347 Highland Ave. to allow manufactured housing. Since both lots are just over two acres, the ordinance faced one opponent during the public hearing who disagreed with the type of housing the lot was being rezoned for. The other second reading was for 226 Bobcat Rd., which allowed incorporation of lots.
Grant
The city will participate in an $8.7 million grant for solar panels, Hendrix announced. The program is a pilot program and will also work with Columbia. The grant is being awarded by the Central Midlands Council of Governments and is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant for solar and smart surface projects.
Hendrix does not currently have any further information relevant to the town. However, according to the Central Midlands Council on Governments, the EPA grant will be used to implement community solar and smart surface projects, including urban forestry or cool walkways. The award was one of 25 projects selected from nearly 300 applications across the country.
The program includes not only Batesburg-Leesville, but also Columbia Metropolitan Airport, the city of Cayce and other cities and counties in the Midlands.
Pine Street Property
The City Council accepted J&H’s lowest bid of $320,000 to complete the parking lot at the corner of Pine Street. The funds will come from the lodging tax, and according to interim manager Hendrix, the city has worked with the company before.
Resolutions
The council recognized the achievements of the Batesburg-Leesville High School Winter Guard and Leesville country singer Linda Martell.
The Winter Color Guard, coached by Dynisha Thompson, won first place among 37 other bands at the Carolina Winter Ensemble Association in April. The council recognized their work and rewarded them with the resolution.
The council also declared August 17 as Linda Martell Day. Martell is a Leesville native and Twin-City High School graduate. The African-American country singer was the first black artist to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and her most recent musical contribution was an appearance on Beyonce’s country album Cowboy Carter.