By Charlene Spelts
The Piedmont Public Service District Board of Commissioners held its first meeting of 2026 on January 19. Al McAbee was elected Chairman. Terry Yates was elected Vice-Chairman.
The Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to apply to the SCPRT PARD Grant Program. A grant request for $20,000 will be submitted with a $5,000 local match requirement. Upon approval the funds will be used for general improvements such as laser grading of the infield and repairs to playground equipment at the Thomas C. Pack Ballpark.
The park is located on Donald Street in Piedmont and is available for public use. Scheduling for the use of the park is coordinated by the Piedmont Public Service District through the Piedmont Fire Department Headquarters.
In other business, a request from the Piedmont Emergency Relief Center to install an awning at the Historic Piedmont Community Building was approved.
PERC submitted architectural drawings and agreed to provide funding for all expenses incurred for the installation and upkeep of the metal awning. This request comes as a necessary added protection for the health and safety of the PERC Volunteers and clients, a spokesperson said. PERC is currently a tenant in the Community Building and operates an emergency food distribution center in the area.
Chairman McAbee reported the total incident calls for 2025 was 1145.
Commissioners went into Executive Session to review a legal matter.
Once the Executive Session concluded, the Board of Commissioners voted to contribute $1,000 to The Association of Special Purpose Districts for Greenville County fund for the fight against proposed consolidation.
Greenville County Council is investigating a plan to consolidate all Greenville County Public Service Districts which the PPSD Board of Commissioners firmly believes would not be a benefit to the Citizens and Taxpayers within the Piedmont Public Service District. PPSD has long served areas of Greenville and Anderson Counties.
The next PPSD Board of Commissioners meeting will be February 16 at 7pm in the Training Room of the Piedmont Fire Department Headquarters, 1 Hwy 86, Piedmont.
