By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon County Council held a public hearing and passed the final reading of an ordinance “authorizing and ratifying” a lease agreement between Dillon County and the City of Dillon “leasing recreational property owned by Dillon County to the City of Dillon for recreational purposes” at their December meeting.
The property involved is the county fields on Highway 34 adjacent to the City of Dillon Sports Complex.
This finalizes the agreement that came about after budget discussions this past summer when the county decided that they would no longer be able to operate their recreation program. Initially, the measure to lease the property failed, but Councilwoman Detrice Dawkins was credited with reviving the effort just days after that vote which resulted in this final agreement. The City moved forward with a successful flag football season to keep the county’s children involved in the sport rather than waiting until next season. The term of the lease is for 20 years and includes the option to renew and extend the agreement after 15 years.
The lease includes the use of all portions of this property to include all “real property and fixtures and all athletic fields, lights, concessions, office, football field press box, scoreboards, personal property, equipment, and outbuildings.” The city agrees to “maintain and operate the property at its sole cost and expense”; “to provide and maintain all insurance for the property;” and “to pay all utility costs for the property and maintain and upkeep and all improvements desired or needed by the City of Dillon on the property.”
The term of the lease is November 1, 2022 through November 1, 2042. The lease payment is $1.00.
