BENNETTSVILLE — Tuesday, Bennettsville City Council moved an amended 2026-27 budget ahead on first reading, received a clean audit opinion for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2025, and weighed a proposal to overhaul the city’s wastewater treatment operations during a meeting that focused on infrastructure, finances and public accountability.
Council again highlighted the city’s aging infrastructure, rising operating demands, wastewater treatment concerns, utility transfers and recreation projects amid broader budget discussions.
A solution?
A presentation made by consultants and BioCleaner Technology representatives, might provide some hope towards improving wastewater costs, compliance improvement, and creating future revenue sources for Bennettsville.
Introducing the team, Dr. Beverly Gurley said “Bioclean is one of the most innovative and convenient wastewater treatment systems in the world. Its technology is designed to treat many different types of wastewaters including sewer wastewater and wastewater treatment plants, haul farms, chicken farms, and other industrial and manipulable systems.”
Gurley said she believes BioCleaner Technology can produce clean water for the city of Bennettsville by recycling and reusing water from sources within the city, thereby reducing wastewater treatment costs 70 to 80% when compared with what Gurley says Bennettsville residents are currently paying.
She added, “Water is a lifeline for all of us. Without water we wouldn’t be here. And we have to preserve our water for generations to come. We know that right now with the water system and what’s going on with the water and runoffs is not healthy for our generation of children, it is not healthy for us.”
Corey Henry presented BioClean Technology’s proposal in financial terms, telling council the issue is “About one thing: How do we take a $600,000 cost and potentially turn it into a $1 to $2 million profit center.”
According to information provided during the presentation, Bennettsville’s wastewater treatment plant processes more than 1 million gallons a day and costs about $623,000 a year to operate.
The company says its microbial treatment system could cut sludge by 90%, reduce aeration power use by 60% to 80%, achieve up to 95% biological phosphorus removal and help the city avoid future compliance problems tied to Crooked Creek’s impaired status, during the presentation.
Data Center
Also suggested by BioClean representatives is the possibility of selling treated water to a proposed nearby future data center. When questioned by council if the benefits alleged by BioClean Technologies would still be viable if a data center does not come to Marlboro County as proposed, Henry answered, “Absolutely. This is not predicated on that.”
Council members also pressed the presenters on their track record in the Carolinas, citing past cost estimates and implementation timelines, and representatives said no current municipal projects in North or South Carolina are currently underway, saying its closest installations are in Iowa and they also perform other work in California, Indiana and at private-sector sites.
Henry said the Bennettsville plant’s flow could require 11 or 12 units at about $125,000 each, putting the project at “just under about $2 million,” with a return on investment he said could come in less than a year. Installation could take about two weeks to a month, followed by roughly a year of support.
By the numbers
Later, city auditor Robert Milhouse presented the audit for the year ending April 30, 2025, and said the city received the highest level of assurance available. “In our opinion, the financial statements … present fairly in all material respects” the city’s financial position and results of operations, Milhouse said, describing it as “the highest assurance that you can receive.”
He said the city reported total assets and deferred outflows of about $41.2 million and total liabilities and deferred inflows of about $26.1 million. That left a net position of roughly $3.9 million in governmental activities and $11.1 million in business-type activities.
Also, according to Milhouse, the city’s general fund brought in about $5.76 million in revenue, about $497,000 above budget, while expenditure totaled about $8.34 million. A deficit of about $2.58 million was covered by more than $3 million in transfers from the utility fund, resulting in a positive change in the fund balance, to the happy tune of $451,954.
Milhouse said the combined utility fund and operating revenue totaled about $17.1 million and operating expenses about $16.8 million, producing an operating income of about $318,629. After nonoperating activity, grants and transfers, the utility fund posted a decline in net position of just under $1.6 million for the year.
Council members praised the speed and clarity of the audit but raised concerns about utility finances and transfers. In response, Bennettsville Mayor Tyron Abraham said the city would schedule a workshop, giving council members an opportunity to review the financial findings in greater detail.
Taking it to a vote
Further scrutiny was carried into council’s discussion on an ordinance amending the city’s 2026-27 budget. After Councilman Cy’Heim McRae requested the resolution be read aloud to the public, City Administrator William Simon Jr. read it into the record.
Following the reading by Simon, Councilman William Jennings Jr. made a motion to approve the budget, seconded by Councilman Gregory Scott Sr. The first reading of the budget passed with all members except Councilman McRae voting in favor.
McRae explained, “I think we need a few more parameters in place as far as the budget, because if I vote on a budget, with these figures, I want to know, I want it tracked whenever something has changed.”
Renaming Lawson Street
Council discussed letting a request to rename Lawson Street move through the city’s established process, including a review by planning authorities. Debate centered on fairness, public participation and precedent.
McRae said, “Back in November I talked with the mayor about my dissent and it is nothing against anyone, but my only thing is, the way I look at things, is what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, meaning if we do this one time, how often will it come before council for approval.”
Mayor Abraham suggested residents’ voices should be heard and a petition be taken up among Lawson Street neighbors affected by the name change. Even so, the mayor requested a motion to proceed with the process, seconded by Councilwoman Caraline Harpe. Councilman Cy’Heim McRae and Councilwoman Wanda Weaver dissented.
Animal control
During public comments, local resident Pamela Best again urged the city to enforce its animal ordinance, citing loose dogs and cats experiencing what she describes as neglect and abuse. Best vowed to keep returning to meetings until the city acted, telling council, “I will die on this hill because I’m outside eight hours a day.”
Best pointed out the city does have animal ordinance and stated her belief it is not being enforced.
General city updates
During the meeting, council heard updates on the city’s continued work on its wastewater evaluation, lime-feed upgrades, PFAS testing, used-oil and electronic-waste collection, tree-canopy mapping, electric-vehicle charging, cybersecurity improvements, meter replacements, sewer upgrades and downtown streetscape work.
A groundbreaking resurfacing of the city’s tennis courts was announced and is expected to begin in the coming months. City parks and fire department renovations are also continuing. An obvious success, council heard how the city’s inaugural Bee Festival drew large crowds, bringing in visitors and vendors from outside the area, and generating more than $6,300 in sponsorships and vendor fees. A state festival grant is expected to reimburse the city up to $7,500.
In closing, City Administrator Simon praised city employees and urged the public to recognize the demands placed on staff. “Please show us some grace, but hold us accountable,” he said.
A second reading of the budget is scheduled for Thursday, May 28 at 6:30 at the Bennettsville Safety Complex.
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