Goose Creek City Council Meeting - July 17, 2026

The Goose Creek City Council held a regular meeting on July 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included public comments regarding a property dispute at 129 Red Bank Road and concerns about a mixed-use development near the Rec Center. The council received a clean audit report, adopted the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, approved a $56.1 million bond for public safety and hospitality facilities, approved the Municipal Finance Corporation bylaws, and approved a lease agreement with Berkeley County School District. The council also confirmed the appointment of Chief Hill as police chief.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Darcy Cruzing (representing 129 Red Bank Road) argued that the property has been a service garage since before 1977 and is grandfathered. She stated that the zoning department refused to issue a business license or accept a variance application, claiming the grandfathered status was abandoned. She requested staff accept the tenant's business license and grandfather the property, citing that the involuntary eviction and cleanup do not constitute abandonment under South Carolina law. She also argued that forcing the 50-year-old auto layout to comply with a 15-foot landscape overlay (removing 46% of the lot) constitutes a hardship and that only the Zoning Board of Appeals has final authority.
• Janice (owner of 127 and 129 Red Bank Road) provided an emotional account of the property's history, including a prior renovation with her late husband, a disruptive tenant who caused extensive damage, and over $70,000 in cleanup costs. She stated that after the tenant passed away, prospective tenants were denied business licenses, and the city claimed the grandfather status expired due to a year of non-use. She reported being told she needed a survey costing $5,000–$9,000 to abandon a property line, and that the required 15-foot perimeter setback would eliminate 45% of the usable property, including a driveway essential for safe deliveries.
• Eduardo (representing prospective tenants of 129 Red Bank Road) described the tenants as legal immigrants seeking to work hard and contribute to the community. He noted that the wife was undergoing surgery that evening and asked for a temporary operating grace period while the family recovers, not a handout.
• Darcy Cruzing (concluding) reiterated that staff's refusal to accept a land use application denies due process. She requested that the council direct staff to accept their variance application and grant an immediate operating period during the grandfathering review.
• Audience member (Ms. Greenleaf) expressed concern about a mixed-use development on Old Monks Corner Road, stating she had not seen public notice signs and worried about traffic congestion. Mayor responded that there were six public meetings with signs, the development aligns with the comprehensive plan, and new projects require traffic impact analyses and mitigation. The speaker also noted lack of sidewalks, trails, and ongoing congestion on Old Monks Corner Road. Mayor offered to discuss further after the meeting.

Presentation: Annual Financial Statement Audit

• Tyler (auditor from the state) presented the audit for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. He noted an unmodified (clean) opinion with no material weaknesses, no significant deficiencies, and no compliance findings. The single audit (for federal spending over $1 million) also had no findings.
• Key statistics:
  • Governmental net position grew from $67 million to $106 million (including contributed assets from developers).
  • Total assets: $152 million, roughly half in capital assets.
  • Total revenues: just under $70 million; expenditures: $59 million.
  • Governmental activities had 14.6 months of cash on hand (recommended minimum: 3 months).
  • General fund operating income: about $11 million before debt service and capital outlay.
  • General fund ended with a negative $1.3 million fund balance due to planned $9.5 million in capital outlay.
  • Water fund net position: $57 million, with 22 months cash on hand, but $4 million in long-term debt.
  • Recreation fund: positive unassigned fund balance of $200,000 for the first time in at least four years, with 10 months cash on hand.
  • Total city outstanding debt: about $12 million.
• Mayor clarified that cash position is strong (14.6 months) and that the fund balance is healthy, designed to pay cash for many capital projects.

Discussion Items

• 2026-2030 Strategic Plan (Resolution): Council introduced and held a public hearing with no public comments. Councilman McSwain moved to approve, seconded by Councilman Budgett. Mayor stated the plan guides budget and priorities. Unanimously approved (9 ayes).
• Installment Purchase Bond (Ordinance): Introduction and first reading. The ordinance authorizes up to $56.1 million in bonds to finance construction of a joint fire/police training facility and other public safety/hospitality projects. The bond will be repaid through hospitality taxes (10-year) and impact fees (20-year), with no general fund dollars. Councilman noted the city is also paying cash for a third of project costs. Mayor explained the state's impact fee structure forces borrowing to spend impact fees, and the training facility will allow firefighters to train on duty instead of driving to Arnold. Unanimously approved (voice vote).
• Bylaws of Goose Creek Municipal Finance Corporation (Resolution): Introduction and first reading. No public comments. Councilwoman Swann moved, seconded by Councilwoman Green Fletcher. The corporation will manage the bond issuance. Unanimously approved.
• Lease Agreement with Berkeley County School District: Approval of a lease for a parcel adjacent to the Rec Center; the city has already allocated $1.5 million for new recreation facilities on this land. Lease is approximately $400 per year. Councilwoman Enos moved, seconded by Councilwoman Green Fletcher. Unanimously approved.
• Appointment of Personnel: Chief Hill appointed as permanent Police Chief. Council members expressed support for his leadership. Motion approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: 2026-2030 Strategic Plan (unanimous, 9-0).
• Approved (first reading): Ordinance authorizing up to $56.1 million in installment purchase bonds for public safety and hospitality facilities.
• Approved: Resolution adopting bylaws of Goose Creek Municipal Finance Corporation.
• Approved: Lease agreement with Berkeley County School District at $400/year.
• Approved: Appointment of Chief Hill as permanent Police Chief.
• Directive/Request: The council did not take action on the Red Bank Road property request; the matter was not formally voted on.
• Mayor's announcement: Memorial for Jennifer Alton, longtime business license official who passed away after retiring. Recreation events announced (Kids Fest, back-to-school splash, concerts, etc.).