During their first official meeting of 2026, Pelzer’s new mayor and council approved an operating budget for 2025-26 and approved a Hazard Mitigation plan that is required to apply for a Federal Grant.
Councilmember Greg Pellum was unanimously approved to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem.
Jake Harrelson, Alisha Tuttle and Mike DeSantis were approved to serve on the Town of Pelzer Planning Commission. They were the top vote getters of the five people who applied for the three open positions. There are still two open seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Mayor Chase Smithwick updated Council on three items that were brought up during a work session held a week prior including use of personal vehicles by town employees, requirements for operators of the bucket truck and town audits.
Smithwick said based on legal advice from the town attorney and the insurance company, town employees can use their personal vehicles. He said they are not required to by the town but it is permitted. He added that the Town truck has no heat or aircondition and that personal vehicle use will be allowed until the vehicle can be fixed or replaced. Smithwick said when an employee uses a personal vehicle, the personal auto insurance is the primary insurance and the Town insurance is secondary. Worker’s Comp insurance through the town is also in effect, the mayor said.
Mayor Smithwick said there is no CDL license or formal training required to operate the bucket truck however Town employees will attend an optional safety training session in Mount Airy.
Regarding audits, Smithwick said auditors are working on the 2023 and 2025 audits to establish a complete financial basis and a third party auditor will then be brought in.
After providing the updates, Smithwick presented the 2025-26 budget to Council for approval.
The budget was basically the same as the budget that former mayor Will Ragland planned to present in December, but without approximately $1 million in funding for the Hospital Building Renovation.
The budget was unanimously approved.
Council also approved the Anderson County Hazard Mitigation Plan to be used by the Town. During the recent work session, Smithwick said to apply for a larger FEMA grant, there has to be a study and engineering done and infrastructure assessments. The Town will also have to provide matching funds. A Hazard and Mitigation Plan is requried to apply for the grant.
Council approved a new five year lease in the amount of $800 per month for Higgins Photography to use the Town’s building on Courtney Street.
Council then went into Executive Session to hear legal advice regarding Town Property. There were no details provided and no action was taken upon returning to open session approximately 25 minutes later.
Hannah Slyce requested use of the gym for practice sessions for an Easley based Roller Derby team. Slyce said the team, called the Urge, is a non-profit organization and gives back to the community. One of the team members is a Pelzer resident. The team competes with other Upstate and Mid State teams, Slyce said.
