Clinton City Council honors Tapestry’s 40 years, reviews electric system and approves several ordinances
November 4, 2026
The Clinton City Council met Monday, Nov. 2, for its regular monthly meeting, recognizing several community observances, celebrating a local business milestone, receiving an update on the city’s electric system and approving several ordinances and resolutions.
Public comment
During the public comment period, one resident raised concerns about inconsistent notifications regarding trash collection and about communication with City Hall.
Proclamations and recognitions
Council recognized Tapestry Clothing Store for 40 years of service to the Clinton community and issued a proclamation honoring the store’s anniversary.
Council also approved proclamations designating November as Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, National Diabetes Month, Hospice of Laurens County Month and Lung Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Clinton. Additional proclamations recognized Nov. 19 as World Pancreatic Cancer Day and Nov. 28 as Small Business Saturday.
Safe Streets for All plan
The city continues work on its Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan, an initiative aimed at reducing serious traffic crashes, with a goal of zero traffic deaths by 2040.
Since 2017, 24 people have died while walking, biking or driving on Clinton streets. Preliminary findings show that 42% of serious and fatal crashes occurred on just 2.1% of road segments in and around the city.
Areas identified as having heightened safety concerns include Willard Street and Willard Road at intersections near Musgrove Street and Broad Street near Clinton Tire, along with the area around Clinton Middle School, including Adair Street and the Springdale Drive bypass. Several downtown intersections along West Carolina Avenue were also identified, as were sections of Broad Street near Presbyterian College and the YMCA.
Potential improvements include additional sidewalks and crosswalks, bicycle lanes, improved signage, updated traffic signals and better street lighting. The city has sought public input as the plan is developed.
Separately, the Clinton Police Department is continuing its Project Safer Streets initiative, which focuses on local enforcement efforts to reduce crime and improve neighborhood safety.
Electric system update
Kevin Smorgala of Southeastern Consulting Engineering updated council on the condition and maintenance of Clinton’s electric system. His firm has extensive experience helping communities improve electric systems and prevent power outages.
Smorgala reported that Clinton has been awarded $3.5 million in grant funding for electric infrastructure improvements. He told council the city’s system is being properly maintained and that many of the planned projects will be covered by the grant.
He noted that because much of the cost will be paid through grant funding, those expenses will not be passed along to customers through higher electric rates.
Ordinances approved on second reading
Council unanimously approved three ordinances on second reading.
The first implements South Carolina Act No. 213 of 2026 (H.3556), which moves Clinton’s municipal general elections to November of odd-numbered years. The ordinance also sets the filing period and filing fee, reaffirms the city’s election and candidacy procedures, addresses when elected officials’ terms begin and transfers responsibility for conducting and certifying municipal elections to the Laurens County Board of Voter Registration and Elections following the abolition of the Municipal Election Commission.
The second amends the city’s zoning ordinance regarding the General Commercial (C-3) zoning district.
The third reauthorizes the sale of city-owned property to ARK Management. The property consists of about 557.27 acres within the city limits and is identified as Laurens County Tax Map No. 901-34-01-004.
Commerce Avenue traffic enforcement
Council unanimously approved a resolution accepting the consent of DuBrook Properties LLC to apply South Carolina’s Uniform Act regulating traffic to the private road known as Commerce Avenue. The resolution authorizes the city manager to execute a consent agreement and directs the Clinton Police Department to enforce applicable traffic regulations on the roadway.
Accommodations tax allocations
Council unanimously approved the 2026 Accommodations Tax (ATAX) Committee’s funding recommendations, directing a total of $60,156.50 to local organizations, events and the city.
Main Street Clinton and the Laurens County Community Theatre will each receive $10,000. Clinton Canopy, the Clinton YMCA, Laurens County Rev 250, LushAcres, Presbyterian College’s Family and Friends Weekend and Musgrove Mill will each receive $5,000. The remaining $10,156.50 will go to the City of Clinton.
