EHRHARDT – Ehrhardt Town Council approved a new business license ordinance during Monday night’s regular meeting, effective with the renewal of licenses on Sept. 1 of this year.

Town Administrator Scott Neely said the new ordinance includes the first business license fee increase in 12 years, noting that the license classifications in the ordinance are in alignment with the North American Classification Code Index, considered the standard and recommended by the South Carolina Municipal Association.

The cost will increase by $10 on the base license fee, with an additional 10-cent increase on the per-thousand fee.

Council also approved second reading of an ordinance that puts in place a permit fee of $500 for any private wells dug in the town. That ordinance will also go into effect on Sept. 1, and limits the use of new private wells to irrigation purposes only.

In other business:

* Council renewed its agreement with S&S Disposal Inc. for garbage collection service. Garbagecollection rates did not increase with the new agreement.

* Council heard a report from Police Chief Jim Preacher that the town was ready for its upcoming Schuetzenfest Festival this weekend, with officers from the Bamberg County Sheriff’s Department and Calhoun County promising to assist. Preacher also reported the town currently has 24/7 law enforcement coverage with the help of the Sheriff’s Department.

* Ehrhardt resident Bonnie Burgess announced there are alternatives for parents beyond Andrew Jackson Academy and sending their children to Bamberg to school. Burgess said her children are enrolled in the South Carolina Virtual Charter School and are doing their school work from home. She said she distribute more information concerning the Virtual Charter School with her during the Schuetzenfest.

T&D Correspondent Phyllis A. Overstreet can be reached by e-mail at paoverstreet@bellsouth.net.

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