MARLBORO COUNTY — During county council’s September 9 meeting, Finance Director Wes Parks made two presentations, one on Ordinance 874, “authorizing and providing for the issue” of the county not exceeding the set amount of $3 million for the South Carolina Special Sources Revenue Bond Delta Project and the other on Resolution 092501, relating to the county’s grant writing for a new playground and equipment at Lindsay Park. After hearing presentations from Parks and County Administrator Wilson “Tony” Clyburn, council voted unanimously to approve both pieces of legislation.

“As stated previously, the ordinance is designed for special revenue bonds not to exceed three million for your approval on second reading,” said Parks to council members. “Proceeds for the issuance of bonds utilizing [them to] make improvements as required by existing industry [near the] Delta Plant site. Financing structure is a special revenue bond secured by dedicated revenue sources, which includes a pledge of the annual lease revenue of $525,000for seven years, the total amount being $3,675,000.”

Parks said staff recommendation is for the council to approve the ordinance.

Following Parks’ advice, a motion was introduced by Councilman Jason Steen to approve the motion, seconded by Charles P. Midgley Jr. Without further discussion, Steen’s motion passed unanimously.

Next, council heard from Parks about Resolution 092501.

“The resolution authorizes the county administrator or assigned staff, to submit the grant application to the Division of Community Grant Programs of the South Carolina Department of Commerce,” explained Parks. He further shared a member from Pee Dee Council of Governments met with the county to discuss options for this application cycle.

He said, “After discussing the initiative underway at Lindsay Park, the consensus was to consider additional improvements that would enhance recreational facilities for a younger segment of our population.”

According to Parks, one way this will be accomplished by the grant is through adding a playground and age-appropriate equipment to the site.

“Based on prior CBPG application recommendations, outdoor recreation projects have had a high degree of success. The maximum grant application is $300,000. The county’s match is a minimum of 10%, $30,000 match if awarded, will be included in the upcoming 2026-2027 budget.”

Parks said the grant has a required submission date of September 15, 2025, in order to be considered in this application funding cycle. Park suggested council approve the resolution authorizing a community development block application, not to exceed $300,000.”

“Just to clarify a little bit. When we met, they talked about a lot of other grants that go to other counties, so this is our chance to get some of that from CBPG, and they are going to be submitting it very soon,” said Clyburn. “We just need to approve the resolution so that we can submit it.”

Clyburn went on to say he was told the project was favorable for approval at the state level.

He said, “Certain projects get approved more readily than others, and that is one they said would get approved very easily from them.”

When asked why Lindsay Park was considered a viable location, Clyburn said, “They looked at the fact that we were also doing other upgrades there and they wanted to see about adding a playground there as well to make one big facility. So, you know, we are putting some money into Lindsay Park, and we are looking at a lot of different things out there, not just the baseball season, we are looking at doing things out there year-round.”

After Clyburn’s presentation, Councilman Midgley Jr. made a motion to approve the grant, his motion seconded by fellow Councilman Lafayette Jackson.

Without further discussion by council members, a unanimous vote was then cast, paving the way for Resolution 092501 at Lindsay Park.