Spartanburg City Council Meeting – March 9, 2026

The Spartanburg City Council met on March 9, 2026, to approve minutes and the agenda, receive public comments, issue a proclamation, review board vacancies, hear the fiscal year 2025 audit report, and receive updates from the city manager and council members. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved the minutes of the February 23, 2026 city council meeting.
• Unanimously approved the agenda for the March 9, 2026 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Javar Juarez (Editor-in-Chief, Columbia Urban Broadcast Network and New Progressive Journal) presented a resolution of appreciation honoring Mayor Jerome Rice and the city council for adopting a municipal hate crimes ordinance. He noted that a story covering the council’s September 22, 2025 meeting won second place in feature news writing at the South Carolina Press Association convention.
• Siege Jefferson (Oakanav Property Group) provided an update on affordable housing initiatives: two of ten ARPA‑funded homes (on North Vernon Street) are nearing completion, both with homebuyers receiving $35,000 in assistance. The remaining eight homes will break ground in two to three weeks. He also announced that Spartanburg is one of five places in South Carolina selected for the state’s “Made at Home” program, providing 15 homes at a 4.75% interest rate, with $25,000 buyer assistance and sale prices of $200,000 (three‑bedroom) or $175,000 (two‑bedroom). He stated the program is exclusive to Spartanburg.
• Chris (dog park advocate, name not fully given) requested additional funding and water service for the dog park on Union Street. He noted the grass died due to lack of water and asked for help fixing the pump. Mayor Rice clarified the water issue for the lawn was a mechanical problem being addressed.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation: Mayor Rice read a proclamation declaring March 2–9, 2026 as “Zeta Lambda Chapter Week” in recognition of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s service to the community. Members of the chapter were present.
• Board and Commission Vacancies: Christy Lindsay, city staff, presented upcoming vacancies (accepting applications through June 1, 2026) on the Airport Advisory Board, Architectural Review Board (HARP), Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, Design Review Board, Hospitality Tax Committee, Housing Board of Adjustment and Appeals, Planning Commission, Public Safety Committee, Stormwater Appeals Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals. Residency requirements and term lengths were noted. Council members discussed filling a Hospitality Tax Committee vacancy sooner if needed for a quorum.
• 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR): David Phillips (CPA, Greene Finley) presented the audit results. Highlights:
  • Unmodified (clean) opinion issued.
  • General fund balance increased by $1.2 million; unassigned fund balance is $11 million (21% of 2025 general fund expenditures).
  • General fund revenues increased by $2.1 million, driven by hospitality and growth‑oriented revenues; property tax growth was 2–5%.
  • Expenditures increased by $1.9 million, primarily for salaries and benefits (3% COLA and step increases).
  • Capital asset additions totaled $94 million, including baseball stadium, airport improvements, fire station, West Main projects, and Morgan Square.
  • Pension liabilities (SCRS and PRS) decreased due to strong stock market performance; contribution rates remain high (18.41% for SCRS, 21.24% for PRS).
  • Two audit findings: (1) Reconciliation of multiple revenue sources for the baseball stadium project required significant staff time; (2) Transit fund revenues were double‑drawn in the prior year, requiring a restatement. Also, an airport improvement program report was filed late (no funds misused).
  • A new GASB requirement for next year will require explanatory notes on budget variances.
• City Manager Updates:
  • Clock Tower Relocation: Staff is evaluating potential city‑owned sites, with criteria including unlikely future impact, complementary surroundings, visibility, and long‑term maintainability. A recommendation is expected at the next or subsequent meeting.
  • Chief Alonzo Thompson Retirement: City Manager Chris Story announced Chief Thompson’s planned retirement later in 2026. He praised Thompson’s decade of leadership, including low crime rates, youth engagement, ethical policing, technology initiatives, and his handling of protests after George Floyd’s death. A national search for a successor will be conducted, aiming to avoid an interim appointment.
• Council Updates:
  • Councilwoman Rogers highlighted upcoming spring events (powered by the city website calendar) and the Power Up program’s first pitch event.
  • Councilwoman Smith reported on a countywide internship fair (the city has about 10 internship spots) and noted that the “Big Mo” scholarship program provides free tuition for Spartanburg high school seniors at local colleges.
  • Councilman Brown encouraged attendance at St. Patrick’s Day events downtown and offered prayers for uniformed personnel.
  • Councilwoman Salah thanked staff and encouraged public participation.
  • Councilman Poymer mentioned a baseball game (Upstate vs. Wofford) the next day.
  • Mayor Rice announced several upcoming events: a mural unveiling on Duncan Street (March 21), a police “front porch roll call” at his home (March 25), his participation in the National League of Cities Conference in Washington D.C. (panel on census outreach), a Miles with the Mayor event (March 21), and a celebrity basketball game (March 22). He also shared a personal anecdote about the importance of not chewing gum in public.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes and agenda approved unanimously.
• Proclamation for Zeta Lambda Chapter Week issued.
• Board and commission applications will be accepted through June 1, 2026; staff will bring recommendations at the last meeting in June. The Hospitality Tax Committee appointment may be expedited if needed for a quorum.
• The 2025 ACFR was accepted with a clean audit opinion; staff will address the audit findings on revenue reconciliation and transit fund restatement.
• City manager will present a recommendation for the clock tower site at a future meeting.
• A national search for the next police chief will be initiated; Chief Thompson will serve through a transition period.
• Motion to adjourn into executive session (approved unanimously).