Simpsonville City Council held a business meeting on Nov. 19, 2025 in Council Chambers a.k.a. “The Ellipse.” The meeting was originally scheduled for Nov. 11, 2025 but rescheduled to Nov. 19, 2025 due to the Veterans Day holiday. Below is a recap of the meeting:
1. Call to Order: Mayor Paul Shewmaker called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
2. Roll Call: All members of City Council and the Mayor Shewmaker were present.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Presentation: Mayor Shewmaker read a proclamation commemorating the 250th anniversaries of the founding of the US Army, US Navy, and US Marines. Councilmember Chad O’Rear (Ward 1), who has a degree in history, gave introductory remarks about the history of the aforementioned branches of the United States Armed Forces. Mayor Shewmaker presented the proclamation to Mr. O’Rear in honor of his family.
5. Approval of Minutes: The minutes were approved as written without objection.
6. Citizens Comments: Residents Allison Hanline and Robert Jones of the River Shoals development in Greenville County gave comments to Council critical of AXZ-2025-04, the annexation and rezoning of property on West Georgia Road; the persons were permitted to participate in Citizen Comments because their properties abut the land formerly under consideration by Council. Ron Clyde gave comments to Council about AXZ-2025-04 regarding a discussion between Simpsonville Fire Marshal Marty Phillips and developers about the possibility of eliminating the emergency ingress and egress for the Simpsonville Fire Department. Misty Reynolds expressed concern about a dispute with a neighbor and response by City staff related to the dispute.
7.A. Council voted 7-0 to approve second and final reading of Ordinance O-2025-10 to amend the Business License Ordinance to update the Class Schedule as required by S.C. ACT 176 2020. Councilmember Lou Hutchings (Ward 6) made the motion to approve the ordinance, and Councilmember Sherry Roche (Ward 4) made the second.
7.B. Council voted 7-0 to approve first reading of Ordinance O-2025-11 to amend Sec. 8-41 and Sec. 8-42 of the Simpsonville Code of Ordinances regarding Technical Codes. The purpose of the ordinance is to adopt state codes for the purposes of streamlining language and ensuring compliance. Ms. Roche made the motion to approve the ordinance, and Councilmember Tim Pinkerton (Ward 5) made the second. Council is expected to take up second reading at the business meeting on Dec. 9, 2025.
7.C. Council voted 7-0 to approve AXZ-2025-03 to annex and rezone the property at 320 Tearose Lane, which formerly was outside city limits although it is in a subdivision inside city limits. Councilmember Shannon Williams (Ward 3) made the motion to approve the ordinance, and Mr. Hutchings made the second. Council is expected to take up second reading at the business meeting on Dec. 9, 2025.
7.D. The motion to approve first reading of AXZ-2025-04 for the annexation and rezoning of a property on West Georgia Road failed by a vote of 2-5 with Mr. Shewmaker and Ms. Williams voting in favor of the motion and Mr. Hutchings, Mr. O’Rear, Mr. Pinkerton, Ms. Roche, and Mr. Rupe voting against the motion. Mr. Pinkerton made the motion, and Mr. O’Rear made the second. Concerns expressed about approving first reading of AXZ-2025-04 included traffic and motorist safety, “shoestring” annexations, potential for change in development plans and value of the annexation to the City of Simpsonville. Points in favor of approving first reading of AXZ-2025-04 included the opportunity for receiving additional information and clarity prior to second and final reading in December, property rights and the possibility Greenville County may approve the development if rejected by the City.
7.E. Council voted 7-0 to approve first reading of amending Sec. 16-4 in the Simpsonville Code of Ordinances to clarify that the current boundaries of the six Council wards are based on the 2020 census, not the 2010 census. Mr. Pinkerton made the motion, and Mr. O’Rear made the second. Council is expected to take up second reading at the business meeting on Dec. 9, 2025.
8.Executive Session: Following executive session in which Council discussed employee compensation, Council voted 7-0 to authorize City Administrator Tee Coker to expend funds to address equitable compensation concerns in the Simpsonville Police Department. Ms. Roche made the motion, and Mr. Pinkerton made the second.
9.Adjournment: Council adjourned without objection.