Councilwoman Says Experience Crucial on County Council
Anderson County Councilwoman Cindy Wilson
Dear Friends and Citizens of Anderson County Council District 7,
Many of you know me well, while others are new to the area. It has truly been an honor to serve and represent our County, especially District 7. I have NO CAMPAIGN account (my signs are old), I value simplicity, honesty, and transparency. I would like to share some of my previous initiatives, ideas, and future plans for Anderson County, especially District 7
Currently, I serve as Chairperson of Anderson County Planning and Public Works Committee, and also as a member of the County Finance Committee. I have consistently worked on your behalf. My Planning and Public Works Committee introduced:
o Ordinance #2025-010 increased buffer yard requirements in both zoned and unzoned areas.
o Ordinance #2025-018 mandates increased riparian buffers for new developments and commercial buildings. This aims to minimize sediment and runoffs into local creeks and waterways.
o Ordinance #2025-057 an amendment to County Land Development Standards. This revision imposes restrictions on mass grading, topography and tree protection, and stricter building standards.
o Ordinance #2025-043 regulations for Solar Farms, including buffers, bonding, and decommissioning requirements.
I was instrumental in, and a part of:
o Hwy 29 Corridor and Freight Mobility Studies – As the ACOG Vice-Chair of Transportation, this has been a multi-year endeavor and is becoming a life-line for the east side of Anderson County and its municipalities.
o Installation of miles of water lines to the Belton-Honea Path communities when wells ran dry.
o Road repairs on Midway Rd, with additional repairs already planned for Big Creek and other roads.
Looking Ahead, here are some of the projects I am focused on:
o Concurrency – It is important to have a plan for communities to grow responsibly. This means having in place, or actively under construction; road conditions & capacities, water, sewer, schools, and public safety services at same time as residential, industrial, or commercial development occurs. I will press that Anderson County delay or deny development until all aspects of concurrency can be met. As an Anderson County Councilman, I will continue to lobby the State Legislators to advocate for concurrency.
o Fee In Lieu of Taxes (FILOT) – In 2012, I proposed changes to the formula for FILOT proceeds to allocate 75% of the funds to our roads and infrastructure needs. Had my recommendations been passed by Council, we would have an annual allowance of $7-8 million for our roads. I was loudly excoriated for that proposal.
o Impact Fees - I will continue to advocate that Impact Fees be accessible for the county once state law is aligned with counties rather than with developments.
o Transparency - At the next meeting, I will introduce a resolution directing Administration to immediately resume live-streaming of Council meetings. We have a Media Department budget of nearly $600,000, along with equipment, and personnel for this service to be reinstated. For reasons unknown to me, videotaping and streaming of meetings was stopped. Summaries of Council meetings are no substitute for actual viewing and transparency.
o 2026 Comprehensive Plan - County Council will soon vote on a new plan that will help guide us for the next 10 years. This is as important for you, as it is for the Anderson County Leaders.
o Finances- I have always advocated for transparency, even going to the SC Supreme Court asking to require our County provide access to our financial records. Currently, our finances are “online” for all to see.
o 2027 Budget – By June 30, 2026, our County Council expects to vote on next year’s budget without having held any Finance Committee meetings to date. As a member of the Finance Committee, I tried, in January, to ask for a meeting and got turned down. I then had to ask for reports and one-on-one meetings in an effort to review the budget. What I found indicates serious trouble that requires full consideration. The sacred cows seem protected, while denying vital services needed funding. I have many objections to the current proposal and plan to voice them... Where is transparency?
I have been blessed as the County Council District 7 Representative for many years yet would like to say that I have no vested interest in any data centers or their supporting internet businesses. I am not a salesperson supporting internet services, and rely only on real educated experiences to influence my decisions. With limited studies, concerns for environmental impacts, exorbitant water and electric needs, and the current public outcry, I would certainly vote AGAINST Data Centers in Anderson County.
I do my research, I have the needed experience, and I understand how to move Anderson County forward responsibly. I ask for your vote on June 9th to allow me to finish what I helped start. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like to carry these ideas forward. My phone number is 864-261-3980, and my new email is CindyWilsonforDistrict7@gmail.com
