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FOIA REQUEST FORM Email form to Kelli Ricard, Town Clerk kricard@southcongaree.org Download Freedom of Information (FOIA)Requests for records under the Freedom of Information Act may be made by downloading the form above. South Carolina Law provides that it is a crime to knowingly obtain or use personal information from a public body for commercial solicitation. Pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA"), the Town of South Congaree ("Town") will provide copies of public records in its custody unless the records are exempt from disclosure under SC. Code Ann. § 30-4-40 (Freedom of Information Act). Please direct all FOIA requests to: Kelli Ricard, Town Clerk, at 119 West Berry Road, West Columbia, SC 29172, or kricard@southcongaree.org . Upon receipt of a written request for records under FOIA, the Town will determine if the records are available. The Town or the Town Attorney, will notify the requestor of this determination in writing within ten business days for records less than two years old, or within twenty (20) business days for records more than two years old. Business days do not include Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays. Pursuant to SC. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), fulfillment of FOIA requests is subject to fees for search and retrieval, as well as fees for providing copies of documents. A deposit (25% of reasonably anticipated cost for reproduction of the records) is required prior to searching for and/or copying records pursuant to a FOIA request. The balance must be paid at time of production. If the Town determines that the requested records are available and are not exempt from disclosure under FOIA, the records will be furnished within thirty calendar days of the date the deposit is received. If the records are more than two years old, the records will be furnished within thirty-five calendar days of the date the deposit is received. f no deposit is required and the Town determines that the requested records are available and are not exempt from disclosure under FOIA, the Town will furnish the records within thirty calendar days of the date of its Determination Letter. Requested records which are greater than two years old will be furnished within thirty-five calendar days of the date of the Determination Letter. FEES: REQUESTS FOR COURT DOCUMENTS $13.00 PER HOUR REQUESTORS SHALL PAY FOR COPIES $0.25 PER COPY REQUESTORS SHALL PAY FOR STAFF TIME AT A GROSS HOURLY RATE $20.00 PER HOUR, PER EMPLOYEE INCIDENT REPORT/ ACCIDENT REPORT /CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK EXCEPTION: OWNER/VICTIM/FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATOR) $5.00 An advance deposit of up to 25% of the reasonably anticipated costs may be required prior to search and retrieval of records.

PERMIT INFORMATION BUILDING PERMITS All contractors performing work in the Town of South Congaree must obtain a business license. If you are building, remodeling, repairing, moving, or tearing down a building in South Congaree, or working on electrical, gas, plumbing, or mechanical systems, the required steps include: Obtain Zoning approval from the Town of South Congaree. Apply for building or mechanical permits from Lexington County. Property owners performing the work on their property must: Obtain Zoning Approval from the Town of South Congaree. Contact Lexington County Building Inspections and Permits Division Fill out a Lexington County Disclosure Statement. Complete a Public Record Notice, agreeing to follow all zoning and building rules. Contact: Lexington County Building Inspections & Permits Division Community Development Department (803) 785-8130 Email: buildinginspections@lexingtoncounty.sc.gov Website: https://lex-co.sc.gov/departments/community-development/building-permits SIGN PERMITS All sign contractors must have a Town of South Congaree Business License before obtaining a sign permit. Zoning Applications are required and must be completed and submitted to South Congaree. Zoning Applications must be approved before the sign permit will be approved. Any electrical work must be performed by a SC-licensed electrician. All electrical contractors are required to have a South Carolina Electrical Contractors License through the SC Dept. of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, and a Town of South Congaree Business License. The electrician must be listed on the sign permit before the permit can be issued. Signs may not be constructed within 12 feet of electric lines or facilities. Call PUPS at 888-721-7877 to locate underground utilities 72 hours before digging. GARAGE SALE PERMITS The following regulations are hereby declared essential in order to regulate garage sales in all zones: Before the Sale Obtain a permit from Town Hall for each sale. Post the permit at the sale site. Pay the permit fee: $5 per day. Ensure the permit does not exceed 4 consecutive days. Confirm you have not exceeded 4 permits per calendar year per family/location. During the Sale Use only family-owned merchandise (no purchased or brought-in items). Remove all tables, merchandise, and items at the end of the permitted time. Display no more than two (2) on-site signs, each ≤ 6 sq. ft. If using off-site signs: Limit to two (2) signs, each ≤ 6 sq. ft. Do not encroach on public rights-of-way. Obtain written permission for signs on private property. Do not attach signs to utility poles, street signs, trees, rocks, or natural objects. Remove all signs at the end of the sale. Do not use a public address system. Do not serve or give alcoholic beverages. Operate only during daylight hours Special Cases Non-profit organizations: Obtain a permit (fee waived). Enforcement & Penalties Violations are subject to S.C. Code § 14-25-65. Documents & Forms BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION HOW TO CALCULATE BIS. LIC. FEE SOUTH CONGAREE ZONING PERMIT LEX. CTY. BUILDING PERMIT LEX. CTY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT LEX. CTY PUBLIC RECORD NOTICE SOUTH CONGAREE SIGN PERMIT Contact Us Business License: Kelli Ricard, Town Clerk kricard@southcongaree.org (803) 755-2760 ext. 109 Zoning and Sign Permits: Crystal Bouknight, Town Administrator cbouknight@southcongaree.org (803) 755-2760 ext. 101

The South Congaree Town Council meets on the 3rd Tues. of each month at 6:00 PM. Council Work Sessions are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6 PM. Meetings are held in the courtroom at town hall which is located at 119 West Berry Road in West Columbia, SC, 29172. Specially called meetings will be announced via the town sign, on the town's website, the town's social media, and agendas will run in these and post to the bulletin board outside the town hall. The Town of South Congaree operates under a COUNCIL form of government. The mayor shall hold office for four (4) years or until a successor shall be duly elected and qualified. Council Members shall be elected to serve for staggered four (4) year terms or until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS Click for Mayor's Message Mayor Cindy Campbell Email: ccampbell@southcongaree.org Phone: (803) 665-1943 Mayor Cindy Campbell was first elected Mayor of South Congaree in July 2020. Since taking office, she has remained steadfast in her commitment to enhancing the quality of life for the Town’s residents and visitors alike. Her leadership reflects a strong belief in service, collaboration, and community pride. Among her initiatives, Mayor Campbell partnered with Palmetto Pride to launch quarterly community litter cleanups, which were coined Team Up 2 Cleanup South Congaree, an effort that has strengthened community engagement while promoting a cleaner, more welcoming town. Mayor Campbell serves on the Advisory Board of the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce and is Vice Chair of the Greater CWC Chamber’s Cares Foundation. Her involvement in the Chamber reflects her commitment to ensuring that South Congaree has a strong voice and meaningful representation in regional conversations and initiatives. Mayor Campbell also serves on the Joint Municipal Water and Sewer Commission. She believes that building strong regional partnerships is essential to moving South Congaree forward and creating lasting opportunities for growth and success. She and her husband, Ronnie, reside in Blue Ridge Terrace and are the proud parents of two adult children, Garrett and Bailey (Josh). Outside of her mayoral responsibilities, her favorite and most cherished title is “Gammy” to her granddaughters, Presley and Cecilia. Mayor Pro-Tem Kitty Spires Email: kspires@southcongaree.org Phone: (803) 622-8396 Biography to come. Councilmember Brian Jackson Email: bjackson@southcongaree.org Phone: (803) 530-9929 Biography to come. Councilmember Debbie McIver Email: dmciver@southcongaree.org Phone: (803) 600-8852 Debbie McIver is a longtime resident of South Congaree, having lived within the town limits for 35 years and spending a total of 46 years in the community. She moved to the Lexington area at the age of 10 and attended Lexington Elementary, Middle, and High School. Debbie raised her three children in South Congaree, where they attended Congaree Elementary School, and she served as PTA President for two years. Debbie began her professional career in the legal field at age 17 after completing vocational training. She gained extensive experience supporting a four-attorney law firm in Lexington and later worked as a legal assistant to a senior partner at Nelson Mullins. She then transitioned into Human Resources with Laidlaw Environmental, followed by a successful career in communications sales. In 2003, Debbie became a licensed Realtor and has since worked with ERA Wilder Realty, RE/MAX, and currently NextHome Specialists, where she has been since 2017. She also serves as a Mary Kay Sales Director, mentoring and coaching women over the past decade. Debbie has served on South Congaree Town Council since April 2024 and previously served nearly four years on the South Congaree Planning Commission. She is a proud mother of three adult children and grandmother of five, who remain the center of her life. Councilmember Dwayne Prosser Email: dprosser@southcongaree.org Phone: (803) 446-6387 Biography to come.

Do your part to make your community a better place, be a volunteer! The Town of South Congaree is looking for people that are willing to serve on our Planning Commission & Finance Committees. These important committees have a great deal to do with the direction of our town. The Planning Commission is responsible for drafting ordinances that govern the town. These are then presented to the town council which either passes them as drafted, ask the Planning Commission to make some changes, or votes the ordinances down completely. They also help develop and update a Master Plan under the direction of the mayor and town council. Planning now determines what South Congaree may be like for years to come. The Finance Committee helps to keep track of the town's money. It develops an annual budget which is then presented to the town's council for changes or approval. This committee watches closely throughout the year to make sure departments are spending within the limits of their budgets. The Finance Committee also has to make suggestions about where the town's reserve funds are kept so that they best benefit the citizens of the town. You do NOT have to be a resident of South Congaree to serve on boards, committees, or commissions. All that you must do is apply at the town hall, be able to pass a background check, and have a willingness to serve. Experience in Planning is helpful if you would like to serve on that committee. Perhaps you've been a developer, and architect, or held some other position that had to do with this field. In order to serve on the Finance Committee, a background in accounting, bookkeeping, or banking would help. You should be able to understand a balance sheet, read profit and loss statements, and in general be good with numbers. For more information about either of these positions, contact the town hall and ask for Municipal Clerk Sharon Williams.

the meeting venue at the south congaree town hall our website is undergoing an update. please be patient with us. check back soon. it will be a much better experience.

Town of South Congaree Invitation to Bid

South Congaree Town Ordinances NEW ORDINANCES 2019 Signs 2019 Animal Control 2019 Business License I 2019 Planning Commision I 2019 Beautification 2020 Home Occupation 2020 Health & Sanitation 2020 Liquor Stores 2020 Public Nuisances 2020 Self Storage 2020 Pawn brokers Comm. Tower, Cell & Antennas Sexually Oriented Business Automotive Collection Boxes NEW ORDINANCES NOT CURRENTLY FOUND AT AMERICAN LEGAL PROCLAMATIONS 2019 PURPLE HEART Link to Ordinances: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/southcongaree/latest/overview 2022 Business License 2023 Business License 2024 Special Events Ordinance Ch 37-PD Comp Time

WELCOME TO SOUTH CONGAREE Welcome to the official website of the Town of South Congaree, SC. Located close to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, we are a town of just over 2,300 residents. Established in 1957, we are a community that is ever-changing. We are proud of our past, but also excited for what the future holds. Because we are a suburb of Columbia, SC, we consider ourselves a community accepting of everyone. Many families have young children, while others of us are either approaching or past the age of retirement. We have Congaree Elementary School, a part of Lexington School District Two, where you can walk along the sidewalks close by and hear children's laughter on the playground. In the park beside our town hall, you can find teens playing an exciting game of pickup basketball while the little ones play on park features and moms lay out picnics nearby. We have many churches that are often focal points of activities for our citizens. We have a United Neighbors Club, a hint of the importance of neighbors to us. We have a great library and an equestrian arena where lots of activities happen too! We have businesses we are proud of so please stop by and visit these. Eat and shop here. We want to get to know you and perhaps one day, you will want to be a part of our town. We are South Congaree and we are glad you chose to visit our website. Now, come in person and say hello!

IMPORTANT LINKS Landlord Complaints PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC DEFENDER TREASURER ANIMAL SERVICES VOTER REG. MASC employment

TOWN OF SOUTH CONGAREE POLICE DEPARTMENT Chief of Police "CJ" Quinlan HOUSE WATCH APPLICATION The South Congaree Police Department is proud to offer the House Watch Program, designed to help residents within the town limits of South Congaree protect their homes while away. How it works: Residents who will be out of town for an extended period can register their home with the police department by filling out an application. An officer will physically check your property, including doors, windows, and the general exterior. (Please note the police department does not provide 24/7 coverage.) The program is free and available only to community members living inside the town limits. A SCPD Officer will conduct a check when beginning On Duty and before going Off Duty (Hours may differ daily) and will notify you if any suspicious activity is observed. Benefits of the program: Peace of mind knowing your home is being monitored during patrol hours. A proactive way to prevent burglaries and other criminal activity. Quick police response if an issue arises. Message from the Chief of Police It shall be the mission of the South Congaree Police Department to provide for the safety and security of the citizens of the town by serving and protecting the public interest and guaranteeing the liberties of the individual through: the enforcement of applicable laws and ordinances; the promotion of crime prevention; the investigation of criminal activity; the identification and arrest of those committing a crime; the advocacy of, and assistance to, those victimized by crime; the control of traffic and the enforcement of traffic laws. Our Agency Values Essential to our mission are the values that guide our work and decisions, and help us contribute to the quality of life in the Town of South Congaree. Although, we sometimes must balance them, we never ignore them. The men and women of the Town of South Congaree Police Department values: Human Life; we value Human Life and dignity above all else. Integrity; we believe integrity is the basis of community trust. Laws and Constitution; we respect and protect the rights of all citizens. Excellence; we strive for personal and professional excellence. We therefore strive to do our best. We have vision for the future. Accountability; we are accountable to each other and to the citizens we serve. Planning and Research; we understand the importance of planning for the future. Cooperation; we believe that cooperation and teamwork will enable us to combine our diverse backgrounds, skills, and knowledge to achieve common goals. Community Problem-Solving; we give high priority to preventing crime and helping citizens feel safe. POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFF Corporal - Patrol Division Ty McComas SRO Sergeant Christopher Roche In South Carolina victims have rights. The Town of South Congaree provides a victim's advocate to ensure victim's rights are protected. if you've been a victim of a crime, press the button below to contact your advocate. CLICK FOR VICITM'S ADVOCATE