In a “State of Pelzer” address given recently, the Town’s past, present and a vision for the future was laid out by Mayor Chase Smithwick.
Mayor Smithwick presented information regarding “Our Vision” for the Town which included plans for the Monkey Park, Bill Hopkins Sports Complex, Recreation, Lagoon & Overlook Park, Conservation, a Town Square and a Farmers Market. Also making Pelzer more attractive for businesses, residents and visitors with more Foot Traffic, more River Access, Walkability, Streetscapes and Arts and Culture.
He also provided an update on the Community Building, Hospital Building and drainage issues.
Mayor Smithwick presented a list of 13 problem areas facing the Town when he took office and 18 items that he and Council have addressed.
The following details were provided on the items he addressed:
“Our Vision & Current Projects”
Mayor Smithwick said he wants to see a trail at the Monkey Park and for the park to be a community gathering place. ACOG and CDBG grants will help with improvements.
The “Bill Hopkins Ballfields” will be known as the Bill Hopkins Sports Complex with improvements including two baseball fields and field area for softball, T-ball, soccer, flag football and other sports.
He said he had talked with kids who said they would like to see a skate park at the Monkey Park and he would like to provide exercise equipment to help keep citizens healthy.
Smithwick said he wants to “bring recreation back to Pelzer.”
Regarding the Lagoon Property and Overlook Property, he said he would like to see the properties have something for kids and related to conservation. He said there are people who would like to buy and develop the lagoon property. “No development,” he said. “We are one of the fastest growing states in the country. We want to secure green spaces.”
Smithwick said he would like to see a defined “Town Square” area including the gym parking lot and Wardlaw Park. He would like to see an “open air Charleston-style market” with an amphitheater for bands and an area for picnics. He said the Town plans to resurface the parking lot.
Another goal is to increase foot-traffic and plans are to clean, edge and improve sidewalks in Pelzer.
According to Smithwick, river access is also important and can bring business into the town. He said he is working with SC Department of Natural Resources for improvements at the boat ramp including having a fishing pier.
The mayor said he wants to have a designated place for arts and culture in Pelzer place and wants to see murals and streetscapes.
“Current Project Updates”
Updating the Community Building project, Smithwick said, “It is at a standstill” due to structural problems which are being looked at by the contractor.
He said the Hospital Building is a “personal headache and an eyesore,” but he plans to finish it with grants which have been applied for. “I will not bankrupt the town to renovate it,” he said.
The Town has numerous drainage problem areas. Smithwick said four grants have been applied for and a state earmark has been requested to address drainage issues. “Projects have to be professionally designed and you have to have a plan,” he said. One of the grants will provide funds for engineering and plans.
Smithwick provided information on 13 specific problems that he and Council “walked into” and updates on “what we have done” for 18 specific items.
“What We Walked Into” and “What We Have Done”
Mayor Smithwick presented a list of 13 items including no budget passed, delinquent audits reporting issues with ARPA and FEMA grants, lapsed insurance and underinsured town assets, meeting inconsistencies, lack of grant application, revenue challenges, overspending and paying for duplicate services, no financial oversight, no transparency, no long-term planning, drainage issues throughout the town and legal/property issues.
According to Smithwick, a 2025-26 budget was passed in January of this year, and Council approved the 2026-27 budget on time in June. The Mayor explained the format of the new budget reflecting a General Fund Operating Budget, Hospitality Tax Fund Budget and Capital Projects Budget.
The audit for 2025 has been completed. Auditors are currently working on 2023 and 2024.
Smithwick said the town did not receive state funding last year because reporting was not turned in. State reporting has been caught up, he said. Included were expenditures for a PARD grant ($43,000) which the town has and will get back from the state with reporting being caught up.
Funding from a FEMA grant related to Hurricane Helene had not been received by the Town because the Town was not turning in the documentation required. The Town has recently received $17,000 for some of the related expenditures according to Smithwick.
Insurance on Town property and assets has been restored and provided at one hundred precent coverage.
Sixteen new grants have been applied for including three ARP grants and a CBDG to cover funding plans and study for infrastructure needs.
The Town has been awarded an ARP grant of $15,000 for beautifying sidewalks with kids art.
Smithwick said the Town looked at a utility contract which was renegotiated resulting in a savings of $6,000.
“Events are expensive,” the Mayor said, adding that volunteers are helping with events and the Town has received $10,000 in sponsorships and donations for events.
Financials
Regarding financial information, Smithwick said the Town now has a Sharepoint program which tracks credit card expenditures and checks. There are also spending trackers and a hospitality tracker. The information is readily available and in a format auditors can read.
Smithwick said the Town now has a purchase ordinance for anything over $250 and purchases must be approved by three people.
Addressing how the Town got so disorganized, Smithwick said there was one person (the town clerk) doing ten different jobs. He said a person has been hired to handle planning and zoning issues and business licenses.
Smithwick said the Town now has both digital and paper records. Before documents were stored in shoe boxes and in a disorganized filing cabinet. Information on the Town’s computer was also hard to find.
“We now have digital copies of everything,” he said. Also passwords are available for those who need access.
Regarding transparency for meetings, Smithwick said the Town is now recording and livestreaming meetings and meetings have an improved format which allows citizens to speak before a vote and at the end of the meeting.
“Our Roadmap”
Mayor Smithwick also touched on a Four-Year plan – “I’m Here Phase”, an Eight-Year plan – “I May Be Here” Phase and a Lifetime Plan – “Building a Vision that Outlives Any One Mayor”.
“Why This Matters” – Click Here
Mayor’s closing in State of Pelzer address to be posted July 22, 2026
Pictured – Artist rendering of what the old hospital building could look like. Tentative plans are to renovate the building and use it for a town hall and other things. Mayor Smithwick plans to find grant money to renovate the historic building.
Current Town Hall
