During their last meeting of the year, Pelzer Town Council postponed decisions on two major items and ended the year on a positive note with hopes for a united Pelzer community in the coming new year.
After several months of contentious meetings and differing views on the town’s finances and two renovation projects, and an election, it appeared that members of the current administration and a new administration, want to see Pelzer come together and move forward.
At their meeting last Tuesday (Dec. 9) Council postponed approval of the 2026 Budget and the Hospital Renovation project, to allow the new administration the opportunity to have input on both.
The meeting was the last for outgoing councilmembers Mike Matthews, Donna Ide and Mayor Will Ragland. Remaining Council member Eddie Waits and recently installed Council member Greg Pellum, will be joined by Michael Shirley and Jason McElhannon on Council. Pelzer will also be under the leadership of a new mayor, Chase Smithwick.
The new members of Council and Mayor will be sworn in during the January 2026 Town Council meeting and will immediately start their terms and new year with a busy agenda.
The Hospital Renovation project will be one.
Planning for the renovation has been in the works for several years, with the assistance of professional planning and design firm Preservation South, and it was recently put out for bids.
Approval of the bid was on the agenda for the last meeting of the year.
According to Mayor Ragland, Preservation South recommended the Town go with the low bid of $988,429 by Magnolia Construction. In an effort to move the project forward, Ragland told Councilmembers that approval of the bid was not a commitment to a contract for the project.
“I think everybody wants to see it happen,” Ragland said.”How it happens is in question.”
Ragland’s plan for funding the project has been to use existing funds the Town has on hand.
Depleting the Town’s finances and seeking alternative funding for the project became a major issue for citizens and candidates leading up to the election in November. Though Ragland was not running for re-election, decisions on the community building renovation project, hospital building renovation project and budget all came down to the end of his term.
Council approved a bid for renovation for the community building during their October meeting and bids for the hospital renovation recently came in.
In presenting the item to Council, Ragland said the Town has requested $500,000 in state appropriations for the project and the Town has funds available. He urged Council to move forward on the project. “We have asked for a state appropriation and do have money in the bank. I would love to see this happen. I am nervous about waiting. It is important to who we are and our future.”
Mayor Ragland then made a motion to approve the bid for the historic renovation. Councilman Matthews seconded the motion to allow discussion.
Councilmember Pellum said he was concerned about drawing down the town’s funds and the uncertainty on the amount of the tax credits.
“I am concerned about the drawdown on our accounts and the tax credits,” Pellum said. “The amount we will get back (on tax credits) is questionable. I don’t think it is fiscally responsible.” He stated we would like to seek state grants to help with funding.
Mayor Ragland stated that work on the renovation of the Hospital building began ten years ago. “It has been a long, long journey.” He said he has been anticipating getting it done. “I hope we will see it through.”
Pellum said he has talked with Council-elect members about the project. “I believe we will. It will be a part of our pride.”
Ragland said the renovated historic building will be the Town’s new municipal center and will house a town hall, a police station and offices. “It is a big dream. I would love to have some grant money for it.”
Pellum stated the letter of request for the state appropriation is not guaranteed money and the tax credits are not set.
Councilwoman Ide stated, “I have advocated for it for years and I still want it. I don’t think this money needs to come out (of the town account) so close to a new mayor and council and I don’t want to make a decision that they will have to live with. I do want it for the future.”
Councilman Matthews said he would like to see it tabled and to let the new council take it up. He added that he hopes “somebody in Columbia will see that small towns need help too.”
Mayor Ragland (addressing new incoming council members) said, “There are three people here who want to help you. Let’s make it happen together.”
Council then unanimously agreed to table the issue.
Next on the agenda was second reading on the 2026 budget.
Ragland said, “It can be altered in the future if you need to.” He presented the budget with several revisions from the first draft budget presented and approved on first reading in October.
Ragland’s motion to approve the budget failed for lack of a second.
Second reading on revisions to the business license were unanimously approved.
During comments, mayor-elect Chase Smithwick thanked the council for their decision to hold off approval on the budget and the hospital renovation.
“It is a touchy subject. I appreciate you showing trust in the new administration,” he said.
Smithwick has said since announcing his intention to run for mayor, that he would like to see alternative funding for the hospital renovation project and has already been proactive in making that happen.
He said the hospital renovation “will get done”, adding that he has recently met with an ACOG representative about possible grants for funding. He said there are two grants, a Community Development Block Grant and an Appalachian Council of Government grant that can be applied for, for possible funding for the renovation project.
In her final comments as Councilwoman, Ide said during the four years she has served on Council, ” A lot of you have issues with me. That is your opinion and you are entitled to it. You have never come to me, never asked me questions. I didn’t appreciate the attacks and I still don’t. I work for this town.”
Ide said, “I never did anything to hurt this town. I am a citizen, my heart is here, I have raised my child here. I have been faulted for asking too many questions. I will continue to. I want to know the answers. I want to work with the administration. My heart is with this town.”
Ide did address several issues she had with the mayor but added, “I still want to work with you. I will never take your accomplishments and what you have done with the theater.”
Mayor Ragland responded, that he has no grudges and that it is “water under the bridge.”
“We are moving forward. We need to come together. We need to find a way to create that sense of community. Talking face to face is so much better. I look forward to helping the new council.”
Ragland said he is working on providing information for the new mayor and “to set the stage for success.”
In his final comments, Councilman Matthews said that when he was elected, “Nobody on this council could have voted before. Anybody can run for office. I know the town people, the people who live here. It takes community involvement.”
He added that he wants to work with Chase.
Matthews said he will be available by phone and computer. “I wish you the best. I love you. Thank you for allowing me to serve you for eight years.”
