Special Called Meeting of City of Laurens Rescheduled to December 23

The City of Laurens Council has rescheduled a special called meeting originally set for Monday, December 22, moving it to Tuesday, December 23.

According to a council member who supports holding the meeting, the decision to reschedule was based on concerns with the original public notice. The initial notice did not include the physical address of the meeting location and was not issued on official City of Laurens letterhead, prompting concerns about whether the notice met procedural requirements. The revised notice includes the correct location information and reflects the city’s standard formatting.

The special called meeting agenda includes an executive session and consideration of a resolution and an emergency ordinance related to investigative procedures, temporary financial safeguards, communication protocols, and continuity measures in the event of credible allegations involving the mayor or senior appointed officials. The ordinance outlines processes for independent investigations, financial oversight, and continuity of city operations, while stating that it does not suspend or remove any elected official from office.

The rescheduled meeting follows a regular Laurens City Council meeting held last week that was largely dominated by discussion and public comment surrounding the proposed amphitheater project and its financing. Much of that meeting focused on concerns about how the amphitheater’s financing could impact proposed pay raises for city employees and funding levels for specific city departments.

During the public comment section of that meeting, questions were raised about the structure of the proposed financing, the long-term financial implications for the city, and whether large capital projects should be tied to budget amendments that also included employee compensation increases. Jake Cooper, owner of Big Air Laurens (one of the largest investments in recent years in Laurens) urged council to prioritize transparency and ensure that staffing and departmental needs were not adversely affected by debt obligations related to the project.

Council action during the meeting reflected those concerns, with multiple ordinances related to the amphitheater financing failing to receive approval. A separate budget ordinance that included funding for employee pay increases was also voted down, though council later moved to reinstate and table the item for future consideration.

The special called meeting scheduled for December 23 is expected to draw continued public attention as council addresses matters outlined in the agenda and navigates ongoing questions related to governance, financial oversight, and future budget priorities. City council meetings are open to the public and streamed live through the city’s official channels.

December Special City Council Agenda.docx (1)[69]