September 2024 Council Highlights

  • Following up to the Mayor’s Compassionate City Committee meeting in June. The city has created a website to host a listing of available youth programs and services in the Sumter community. The Sumter community offers a variety of youth programming throughout the year, outside of school and church programs. This is a growing list as programs change or new ones are identified. If you have a program we should include, click the Contact Us button and fill out a customer service form on our website sumterscyouth.com.
  • This week, September 16-20, 2024, is officially "Adult Education Week" in Sumter, SC! This week, let's shine a light on the importance of education in transforming lives and communities. Together, we can foster an environment where everyone has the chance to succeed! Join us in honoring those committed. For more on the Sumter Adult Education Program, visit sumterschools.net
  • The redesign of South Sumter Park is moving along nicely, with the new playground equipment installed and new restrooms going in. Council approved the addition of new basketball courts with canopies, called airnasiums.
  • A reminder that Election Day is coming up Tuesday, November 5th.
    • This year the Capital Projects (commonly called "Penny" or "Penny for Progress") Sales Tax proposed will be on the ballot.
    • By law, the City of Sumter and Sumter County Government offices can neither advocate for nor against the ballot question or projects. We may only provide information to help voters understand what is being proposed. So, what does "Capital Projects" mean? A capital improvement is adding a permanent structural change or restoring some aspect of a property that will either enhance the property's overall value, prolong its useful life, or adapt it to new uses. The penny, by law, cannot be used to supplement existing or create new services.
    • It’s important to note that the proposed projects will be on the ballot as a whole - not individually -  meaning all projects move forward with a "yes" vote or none with a "no" vote. The process used to select projects is set by SC State law. This is the principal source of capital improvement dollars for years to come and helps avoid or defray the need for property tax increases to pay for capital improvements.
    • Additionally, the penny is not applied to certain Essential Goods (such as unprepared foods available through food stamp programs), prescription drugs, or gasoline.
    • For more information, including sample ballot and how you can check your voter registration, visit our website at sumtersc.gov
  • Kids and their families can have a blast learning about local careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math at the annual eSTEAM Festival in downtown Sumter on Saturday, Oct. 5. The free family fun starts with a parade at 10 a.m., followed by mobile STEM exhibits, new exhibitors, stage shows, and more near the Hyatt downtown. More info can be found at eSTEAMsumter.com.
  • City of Sumter offices will be closed on Monday, October 14th, for Columbus – Indigenous People’s Day.
  • The next community-wide Love Where You Live Community pick-up is scheduled for Saturday, October 19. You and your team can pick up at any date or time, and you do not have to wait until our scheduled days. We support volunteers by providing free supplies and trash bag pick-up service. If you would like to volunteer to help, please fill out our Volunteer Form at sumtersc.gov/litter.
    • Reminding all art students K-12 in Sumter, bot public and private schools. The 2025 litter poster contest is available. Information has been given to all schools, so check with your teachers. Top prize is $100 for three winners! The deadline is November 20, with winners unveiled in January.
  • Learn to play Pickleball class and open play will be held at the North HOPE Center on Saturday, October 26 from 9 AM – 12 PM. Learn about the rules, serving, scoring and play. After the instruction, stay and play with other local players. This is a FREE community workshop offered the City.
  • Get ready for a night of southern living comedy with William Lee Martin on his "King of Cowtown" Tour, coming to the Sumter Opera House on November 9! Tickets are $32-36 and are available online at sumteroperahouse.com
  • Veterans Day is coming up, and Sumter will once again be hosting our annual parade and celebration on Monday, November 11. Parade applications are available through the Sumter County Veteran’s Affairs Office, located on the ground floor of the old Courthouse or click here.
  • Congratulations:
    • To Wilder Elementary School- Sumter School District on the opening of their new FREE library!
    • To Liberty STEAM Charter School on breaking ground for their new Junior Academy, Grades 5-8, at the Sumter Mall.
      • And for being named as a 2024 semifinalist for this year’s Yass Prize. The Yass Foundation recognizes schools that transform education. With over 850 judges weighing in, Liberty was one of only 20 schools in the US to be awarded the prize. The school will receive $200,000 to help grow and expand.
    • To the Sumter Iris Festival for winning the Southeast Tourism Society’s Signature Event of the Southeast Award. The award, selected by travel industry experts, selects top events throughout the entire Southeast region of the U.S. These celebrations represent the soul of the South and serve as inspiration for future explorations of the Southeast region.
      • Exciting news for the 2025 Iris Festival. For the first time in a very long time, the festival will NOT fall on Memorial Weekend. Save the date May 16-18, 2025. Hosting the weekend before the major holiday will help better align the festival with school programming and more.
    • We invite you to visit and attend a regular City Council meeting, our meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is Tuesday, October 1st at 1 PM and Tuesday, October 15th at 5:30 PM. If you can’t make a meeting, public comments may also be submitted online anytime through our website at gov/council/meetings, or city residents can contact the Mayor or their Council representative any time before any meeting to discuss a concern or idea.