Pickens County meetings packed with tax deals, development standards, and budget talks
Pickens County's recent government meetings covered a wide range of business — from a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement for an economic development project to proposed changes in county development rules — but minutes have not yet been published for any of the sessions, so outcomes cannot be confirmed. Here is what was on the agendas.
County Council: Project Brothers tax deal, event rules, paving plan
The Pickens County Council met July 6 with a packed agenda. The most consequential item was the second reading of Ordinance No. 687, which would authorize a fee-in-lieu of tax agreement for "Project Brothers," including multi-county industrial park benefits. Fee-in-lieu agreements allow companies to pay set fees rather than standard property taxes, and they are commonly used to attract industrial investment.
Also on the July 6 agenda:
- **First reading of Ordinance No. 688** — amending noise, traffic, and trespassing rules for public events in Pickens County.
- **First reading of Ordinance No. 689** — amending Unified Development Standards and the development areas map in Council District 4.
- A presentation by Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative President & CEO Zachary Hinton.
- An executive session covering economic development (Project Farmhouse), legal advice on pending litigation, and the county administrator's contract evaluation.
Council met again July 16 to approve minutes from its May 7, 2026 meeting and review a revised five-year paving plan. No minutes are available for either Council session.
Emergency Services Advisory Board: 1% tax, budgets, communications center
The Emergency Services Advisory Board met July 13 to discuss the 1% tax proposal, the FY27 budget, and the transition of the county communications center. The board also reviewed the status of Medic 1 and discussed the FY28 budget. An emergency services report and round table discussion were also scheduled.
Planning Commission: Solar farms, lodging, Highway 8 corridor
The Planning Commission met July 13 to hold public hearings on a subdivision variance at TMS# 4152-00-82-2162 and proposed text amendments to the Unified Development Standards Ordinance covering solar farms, commercial lodging, and the Highway 8 corridor. A by-laws amendment was listed as new business, and the commission planned an executive session for legal advice on pending litigation.
Library System: Director search, Hampton Library renovations
The Pickens County Library System Board of Trustees Search Committee met July 9 to nominate a Chair and Vice-Chair, then enter executive session to discuss personnel matters related to the Director's position.
The full Library Board of Trustees met July 16 to hear a report from the Director Search Committee, get an update on Hampton Library renovations, and review financial, Foundation, and statistical reports.
Coming up
Pickens County Council — July 20: Second reading of Ordinance No. 686 to amend Unified Development Standards for hotels and solar energy utilities. First reading (title only) of an ordinance establishing a Lake Hartwell Overlay District to protect water quality. Council will also review minimum lot size and width requirements for properties outside subdivisions, proposed revisions to the Development Areas Map for District 4, and Unified Development Standards goals including growth balance in District 6 and concert venue noise, traffic, and trespassing issues.
*Note: All recent meetings listed above were agenda-only at the time of this report. Minutes have not been published, so it is not yet possible to confirm which items were approved, tabled, or amended. Readers should check the official Pickens County meeting records for final outcomes.*