[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6470343,"mediaKeyId","5779723-08cb9de4a10365e560447b6ea4d6b07e","parentId",5779723,"title","Council approves 1-year water-sewer contract; members press for open RFP within a year","audioSeconds",429,"startMs",2740000,"endMs",3169000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779723-08cb9de4a10365e560447b6ea4d6b07e&start=2740&end=3169","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779723-08cb9de4a10365e560447b6ea4d6b07e/thumbnail_2740000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6470343/McCormick-County/South-Carolina/Council-approves-1-year-water-sewer-contract-members-press-for-open-RFP-within-a-year","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470343-73d8c4783b5f8350bddf1d55614734c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775204622&Signature=Dx7C1o23GuclB59iS8IhT3XRjoOCvw8jv30qXmRmOnTYnRNmFQYhZRqz~-wldbScxCV1xDBIVCOXhl1Qr1n0ffO-eJs9nn1cEMi~ZEU0~C3ykefWGFFdme4FnJNp9M-EzuyMinaBnAgeOWjt8OvfxuAt9OZ22DYbuCv-TM3XOhE527cP6dmAfXvJvm1tnPyxtrXMFl~0ZVK5WE9RwvBk3m5kvbaFmGp6fioo3ykOw8mdO4OQ6MeQED~hXsZT3WgWzdGTFFvg0-JkRs1K3T8BE1bnC-QQyaTY7qdDC9yxuTlwFYOWwOooJ9XsxUSRIKT57D6NxmpfgtSAJNu28Ov05Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","McCormick County","date","2025-09-17T11:18:57Z","article","McCormick County Council on Sept. 16 authorized a one-year agreement with Clearwater Solutions (CWS) to operate and maintain the county’s water distribution and sewer collection systems, while also recording firm council commitments to run a future competitive procurement.

During a decision-item discussion, Councilman Chuck Cook proposed an amendment to make the authorization contingent on issuing a request for proposals for future contractual support by Feb. 1, 2026. Council members and staff responded that the current contract runs out this month and that a signed short-term agreement is needed immediately to avoid an operational gap. Cook withdrew the original contingency amendment and then proposed a separate motion: that council commit to issuing an RFP for future contractual support within the next year.

County staff said the one-year agreement uses essentially the same scope and dollar amount as last year’s contract and that legal language had been reviewed and revised prior to presentation. A council member said she had spoken with other council members and reiterated the county’s intention to run a competitive bid process “in a timely manner.”

Vote and outcome: the council voted to authorize the one-year contract with Clearwater Solutions; the motion carried despite recorded opposition from at least two council members, including Councilmember Barnes. The council separately recorded a commitment to issue a request for proposals for future contractual support within the next year.

Public comments and context: during the public-comment period, residents pressed for transparency and a plan for ongoing water-quality and pressure issues in Savannah Lakes Village and called for monthly updates until a concrete plan with dates and funding sources is in place. One speaker referenced a December 2024 Thomas & Hutton water-capacity update that identified about $20 million in projects; residents said they wanted a living plan with funding sources and quarterly town-hall updates.

What was decided vs. what was directed: the council’s action approved a short-term operating contract (formal action). Separately, council members gave direction and a public commitment to run a competitive procurement for longer-term support (direction), and several members requested more frequent and transparent reporting to residents while longer-term options are developed (discussion).

Quotes in context: Cook framed the procurement question in a motion that said, “This authorization is contingent upon the issuance of a request for proposals for any future contractual support for the water and sewer department no later than 02/01/2026.” After withdrawing that contingency, a council member said, “It is my commitment to the public that we will go through the competitive bid process, in a timely manner.”

Next steps: council members said they plan a workshop this fall that will include discussion of the water and sewer contract and that staff will publish updates; council also requested that the administrator and relevant utility stakeholders meet with county leaders to develop contingency planning and a living document laying out projects, funding sources and timelines.

Limitations and unresolved items: the council did not award a multi-year contract or adopt a long-term funding plan at the Sept. 16 meeting. Specific dates, procurement timelines and the full competitive‑bid schedule were not finalized during the meeting and were described as to be developed by staff and the administrator.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","McCormick County Council Meeting 9/16/25","oneSentenceSummary","McCormick County Council on Sept. 16 authorized a one-year agreement with Clearwater Solutions to operate the county water distribution and sewer collection systems and committed to issuing a request for proposals for longer-term support within the next year.","taxTitle","McCormick County, South Carolina","taxId",73598,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6470347,"Council hears countywide pavement study; average PCI reported at 81",1029,154000,1183000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779723-08cb9de4a10365e560447b6ea4d6b07e&start=154&end=1183","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779723-08cb9de4a10365e560447b6ea4d6b07e/thumbnail_154000.jpg","/articles/6470347/McCormick-County/South-Carolina/Council-hears-countywide-pavement-study-average-PCI-reported-at-81","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470347-90ba01c9a582209043ab0383aa3b1ffb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775204622&Signature=J8A1C19m8bJbR-1U5MBfy7Lrhj1GoOjhnSdcLL2~oDhEhup7-yIDcU9p8OKmLIpxSxUj1fa5~xqNV3y8Jh0mpSRU7f2WJWYWMLdez9RDWudu8nzZ5SuGAN~o4rgkiv4dIH32P~Ao~gXtWlxmbUbNlZnWu6fbB-UvzQEvmJHrsLChNPvnmSMFF2jgTxps~50NATbNWGNnvDjdIsAz0QaVRi7C9gaTXq0kBZwXGTOtVKqvBjCzJYIWmCgQ4OodLFTXea2179DeW7MkiWkLk3i883Bkynvjs2lRmHGoPzhhjAAA6J5B8m9G5IDhIrxzCl~3K3vG4Oui9kJzFzPI9a3D2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McCormick County Council on Sept. 16 heard a presentation from consultant Allison Bush explaining the results of a countywide pavement-condition evaluation that measured cracks, potholes and ride roughness on every county road.

Bush told the council the vendor used cameras and laser sensors to record distress, length and severity, and to produce a roughness index and 360-degree imagery for each road. She said the study applied a national standard, ASTM D6433, to score each segment and then produced a GIS map the county can use to visualize condition and assemble resurfacing packages.

The study found the county’s average pavement condition index is 81, Bush said, placing McCormick County in what the consultant described as the second-highest “satisfactory” category. “Overall, the county is in really good shape,” Bush said during the presentation.

Why it matters: the data is intended to replace subjective lists compiled by different staff and residents and to let the county group nearby roads into single contracts. Bush and council members said grouping lower- and higher-ranked roads within a geographic area typically reduces mobilization costs and yields more competitive bids.

Supporting details: Bush described preservation options that can extend pavement life at lower cost than full overlays — crack sealing, chip seals and microsurfacing, or chemical “rejuvenators” that restore asphalt binding molecules. She cautioned those treatments generally extend life by about three to five years and do not provide the structural depth of an overlay or full-depth repair.

Bush also noted the vendor provided a separate drainage inventory — GPS-located culverts and ditches with pipe size and condition — that the county can overlay with the pavement map so drainage repairs can be scheduled with pavement work.

Council discussion and next steps: council members and staff emphasized non‑technical factors that the mechanical evaluation does not capture, including traffic volumes, expected construction that could accelerate deterioration, and economic-development priorities. One councilmember urged that the objective data be combined with stakeholder input in a focus group the council plans to convene. The council chair said the county will release the GIS map and the spreadsheet data to the public and that the County Transportation Committee will consider project packages in October with allocations expected in November.

Quotes in context: Allison Bush, the presenting consultant, said the study provides both images and numeric PCI scores to reduce subjective judgments about which roads are worst. Council members thanked Public Works staff and the vendor for producing the maps and noted drainage data will help avoid cutting newly laid pavement.

The county did not adopt any ordinance or funding allocation at the Sept. 16 meeting. Council members said the study will inform upcoming resurfacing packages and County Transportation Committee funding requests.","Consultant Allison Bush presented a countywide pavement condition evaluation to McCormick County Council on Sept. 16, showing an average pavement condition index (PCI) of 81, providing GIS maps and recommended preservation and resurfacing strategies.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":46,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6470338,"Votes at a glance: McCormick County Council actions, Sept. 16, 2025",1636,1533000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779723-08cb9de4a10365e560447b6ea4d6b07e&start=1533&end=3169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779723-08cb9de4a10365e560447b6ea4d6b07e/thumbnail_1533000.jpg","/articles/6470338/McCormick-County/South-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-McCormick-County-Council-actions-Sept-16-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470338-92cf4210ce212393f3bb032460f219a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775204622&Signature=Utg-3RlQ6anWEUgGXKF-1o-ALnKuSKyJYphutjD8wFdgza7BHiZQDU~zYbPH9K-ogrWXIjJRpRQpydrYk55Z9zU88ciOiSEhLehZujkgj1kVahRZQfDJFikTKPc8vIS6WDE~txM-o1BvBU0vrQrFNiljMZDW4~U2BOW7p6Hj-w~NFjTjAqoguCu4xOB-3v~Cjxfzet9SMbJOYgbhMZ6JejF235~7xU5FS7Jz5MmpM1W~w-Nj5SXxJTI8rM9SmW-pmHu1SDp950s~MKGEvWj3CPlMRW7laFE2QN9nMrsC0V-Q4vWVNn3uOBHaxTniDSwM28hnOMsdgxsIHWRCULkFwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McCormick County Council took several formal actions at its Sept. 16 meeting; below are the items recorded on the agenda and the meeting transcript summary of outcomes.

Ordinance 25-07 — accommodations tax advisory committee (first reading, title only)
Outcome: First reading carried. Council considered title-only first reading; fuller discussion and a second reading were deferred to later meetings.

Resolution (tabled)
Outcome: Council tabled a resolution listed on the agenda because of a numerical discrepancy; members scheduled a special called meeting to address the issue on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

Resolution O4-25 — appoint county administrator as alternate to Tri-County / 3 Rivers Solid Waste Authority
Outcome: Passed. Council approved appointing the county administrator as the alternate representative to the nine-county authority (3 Rivers Solid Waste Authority); the council’s vice chairman briefly described the authority and said a new landfill project (estimated at roughly $26 million in remarks) will be financed and may require a supporting resolution in the near term.

One-year agreement with Clearwater Solutions (water and sewer operations)
Outcome: Approved. Council authorized a one-year operating agreement with Clearwater Solutions to provide professional services for water distribution and sewer collection. The transcript records at least two council members opposed to the motion, including Councilmember Barnes. Council separately recorded a commitment to issue a request for proposals for future contractual support within the next year.

Donation: McCormick Edge “Free of Breast Cancer” walk
Outcome: Approved. Council voted to donate $500 as a “gold” sponsor to the Oct. 11 breast-cancer awareness walk at Mac Park after a motion by Councilman Chuck Cook; the motion passed.

How to read this: the meeting transcript records motions, seconding and the presiding officer’s announcements. Where the transcript did not record full vote tallies or individual yes/no votes for every item, outcomes are described as recorded by the presiding officer (\"it carries,\" \"it passes,\" or \"approved\").","Summary of formal actions taken by McCormick County Council on Sept. 16, including ordinance first reading, one-year contractor authorization for water/sewer services, appointment to Tri-County Solid Waste Authority and a $500 donation to a breast-cancer walk.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves 1-year water-sewer contract; members press for open RFP within a year

Council hears countywide pavement study; average PCI reported at 81

Votes at a glance: McCormick County Council actions, Sept. 16, 2025