Laurens City Council Approves Budget on Second Reading
June 17, 2026
The Laurens City Council met Monday night and approved the city budget on second reading, completing a process that began with first reading approval at the May meeting.
The May meeting raised questions from Councilors Alicia Sullivan, Marion Miller, Cassandra Campbell and Calvin Whitmire regarding budget items that the rest of the council felt should have been decided during budget workshops.
Before Monday’s vote, Miller said she thought the second reading would not take place unless another budget workshop was held. When that workshop did not occur, the vote proceeded, with Miller, Whitmire and Campbell voting against approval.
Mayor Senn asked Temporary City Attorney Tommy Thompson about the correct procedure, as Miller wanted to postpone the budget vote until another workshop could be held. Thompson said the budget could not be voted on again unless the council started a new budget process from the beginning. He added that if those who voted against the budget chose to rescind their votes, another vote could be held.
After hearing Thompson’s opinion, Councilman Martin Lowry reminded the council that the budget is not written in stone and that the motion for approval could include a requirement for another workshop to address the objections that prompted the original no votes. The council accepted the suggestion, and the budget passed.
In other business, Director of Streets and Sanitation Kerwin Tribble gave an update on his department’s activity. Tribble told the council that the crepe myrtle trees on Cemetery Hill had to be trimmed, and some cut down, due to concerns from the Laurens Commission of Public Works. He also said city street signs are in the process of being replaced.
Senn announced that Little River Park is now open, though the greens on the putt-putt course have yet to be replaced. That work is expected soon.
The council entered executive session to discuss contractual arrangements and to receive legal advice regarding negotiations incident to proposed contractual arrangements between the City of Laurens and the Laurens Commission of Public Works.
After the executive session, the council voted to approve a resolution appointing Brian McDowell to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
