A HOT week in Greenville County

Chairman Blount’s Newsletter 6-22-25

Greenville County Meetings (June 23–27, 2025)

Monday, June 23

• 5:00 PM - Finance Committee

  • Committee Room, 301 University Ridge

  • Monday, June 23 @ 5:00 PM

  • Livestream available: Watch live

• 9:30 AM – ReWa Renewable Water Resources Workshop (560 Mauldin Road)

• 12:00 PM – Library System Board of Trustees (25 Heritage Green Place, Meeting Room C)

• 3:30 PM – ReWa Board Meeting (562 Mauldin Road)

Tuesday, June 24

• 12:30 PM – Redevelopment Authority (301 University Ridge, Suite S‑4300)

• 4:00 PM – Arena District Board (Bon Secours Arena)

• 4:00 PM – Sanitation Board (1600 W Washington St)

Wednesday, June 25

• 4:30 PM – Planning Commission (301 University Ridge, Committee Room)

Thursday, June 26

• 12:30 PM – Transit Authority (205 Arcadia Drive)

• 4:00 PM – Voter Registration & Elections (McAlister Square, Suite B‑6)

• 4:30 PM – Thrive Upstate (1700 Ridge Road, Annex Building Room 103)

• 5:30 PM – Alcohol & Drug Abuse Board (1400 Cleveland Street)

Friday, June 27

• 10:30 AM – Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG) (30 Century Circle)

Why It Matters

This week, the Finance Committee stands as our key Council committee meeting—critical for county budgeting, capital projects, property decisions, economic development, and financial oversight.

But government is made up of many moving parts. From water utilities and planning to library services and transit, one or more public meetings are happening nearly every weekday. This roundup ensures you can track, learn from, or even engage in the full ecosystem of Greenville County governance.

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Staying Cool, Safe & Connected

When I first began my service on County Council, I quickly realized how dangerous our summer heat can be, especially for those who don’t have access to air conditioning or rapid communication. I heard from elderly residents, disabled neighbors, and low-income families who didn’t know where to turn when their homes became unbearable. Some were waiting days for a government callback while sitting in 95-degree heat.

That realization is actually what started this newsletter in the first place. I knew we needed a consistent and human way to get this kind of critical information into people’s hands. That’s why, every year around this time, you’ll see this message: stay cool, stay alert, and check on each other!

🔥 Current Outlook

Temperatures across Greenville County are expected to hover in the upper 90s to near 100°F for the first half of the week, with high humidity and limited overnight cooling. Afternoon thunderstorms may offer brief relief, but heat-related health risks remain elevated.

What You Can Do Today

• Stay hydrated, even before you feel thirsty.

• Avoid the outdoors between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM when possible.

• Use fans and AC strategically, draw blinds, close off unused rooms, and circulate air.

• Dress for the heat, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.

• Know the signs of heat illness, cramps, dizziness, nausea, or confusion demand immediate action and cooling.

• Check your systems now, test your A/C units and fans while they’re still working.

Community Call

• Check on your neighbors. Make sure no one is quietly suffering in the heat.

• Share resources with your church, HOA, or friend groups.

• Keep an extra case of bottled water at home, it might save someone’s day.

• Encourage people to speak up early if they need help. This is not the time to be silent.

Greenville County is known for its strength, but more than that, for its compassion. Let’s show up for each other this summer the way we always do. Because when it gets hot out there, we don’t retreat, we rally.

If you or someone you know needs help, or wants to help others, reach out. Let’s keep Greenville cool, together! Here are a list of resources for you or anyone who may need assistance in the upcoming months:

LIHEAP Cooling Assistance (via SHARE)

• Helps with energy bills for seniors, disabled residents, and low-income families.

• https://sharesc.org

• (864) 269‑0700

Weatherization Assistance Program (SC Energy Office)

• Free energy-efficiency upgrades (insulation, sealing, etc.) to lower cooling costs.

• https://www.energy.sc.gov

• (803) 737‑8030

Cooling Centers (Activated During Heat Advisories)

• Open to the public when temps exceed 95°F. Locations vary by need and activation.

• West Greenville Community Center, Nicholtown Community Center, etc.

• Check with County Emergency Services: (864) 467‑7100

United Way 2-1-1 Resource Line

• Connects residents to immediate assistance for food, housing, cooling, medical needs, and more.

• Dial 2-1-1

• Text “HELP” or “AYUDA” to 211‑211

• https://www.sc211.org

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“Cool” Greenville County Parks & Rec Family Picks

I know we just talked about heat safety, and I split this section out because enjoying summer outdoors shouldn’t come at the expense of staying healthy. But with some smart planning, our parks and community centers offer wonderful ways to stay refreshed, get active, and make memories, even in the heat.

Waterparks & Aquatic Fun

• 7th Inning Splash Waterpark

  • 1500 Piedmont Hwy, Piedmont, SC 29673

  • Open daily, splash pads and pools, great news for families with younger kids

• Discovery Island Waterpark & Otter Creek Waterpark

• Greenville County Aquatic Complex – swim lanes, lessons, and open swim times

Try a Park or Trail

• Chico Bolin Athletic Complex

  • Athletic fields + shaded walking trails

  • 315 Trailblazer Dr., Travelers Rest

• Butler Springs Park

  • Playgrounds, tennis courts, shaded pavilions

  • 301 Butler Springs Rd

• Cedar Falls Park

  • River, trails, playground, restrooms. Perfect for a splash & stroll

• Conestee Nature Preserve

  • 13 miles of paved family trails, birdwatching, boardwalks

• Falls Park on the Reedy

  • cooling falls, Liberty Bridge, shaded seating

Trails & Greenways

• Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail

  • 19.9-mile multi-use trail, paved, scenic, year-round options.

  • Bike rides or shaded walks, great for family exploration.

What You Should Know Before You Go

• Hours & Fees: Waterparks typically open daily; some parks are free, others may have small pavilion or parking fees.

• Go early (opens around 9:00 AM) or late (after 5:00 PM) to avoid peak midday heat.

• Bring refills of water, sun protection, and snacks, especially for shaded trail spots.

• Bikes and boats available to rent near Swamp Rabbit; reach out to Reedy Rides or Sunrift Adventures.

Below are some online sources for the above mentioned and more:

• 7th Inning Splash Waterpark – greenvillerec.com/waterparks

• Greenville County Aquatic Complex – greenvillerec.com/aquatic

• Swamp Rabbit Trail info – greenvillerec.com/swamprabbit/maps

• Community Center Programs – greenvillerec.com/community-centers

Call Parks & Rec Admin for general info:

• 864‑288‑6470

• Mon–Fri 8:30‑5:00

Using the weekends, and cooler early mornings, to enjoy our county’s parks and facilities is one of the best ways to stay active, connected, and safe during this summer heat. Let’s show the world that Greenville County can do heat smart and fun better than anyone!

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Greenville County Business Spotlight: VisioStack

When we talk about supporting local businesses in Greenville County, the conversation often (and rightfully) centers around our family-owned restaurants, shops, and trades. These businesses are the backbone of our economy and community identity.

But there’s another side of Greenville’s economic story, one that’s happening quietly, digitally, and globally behind the scenes. VisioStack, a homegrown data analytics company headquartered right here in Greenville, is a prime example.

What Is VisioStack?

Founded in 2011 and operating out of Laurens Road and South Main Street, VisioStack builds world-class technology solutions for the railroad industry. Their flagship platform, RailLinks®, enables freight and passenger rail companies to monitor track conditions, predict failures before they happen, and streamline maintenance with artificial intelligence. They’re not just solving problems, they’re revolutionizing the way rail systems operate in over 20 countries.

Why This Matters for Greenville County

1. Despite their global reach, VisioStack has chosen to stay rooted in Greenville, investing in local talent and helping position our region as a serious player in high-tech infrastructure.

2. They’re creating the kind of jobs that keep our brightest students, especially from Clemson, Furman, and Upstate SC, right here at home.

3. With rail playing a key role in freight logistics, VisioStack’s predictive maintenance technology directly supports national supply chains, transportation efficiency, and public safety—while growing from a Greenville base.

4. This is a company that operates in the digital background, but their impact is very real. In many ways, VisioStack represents the kind of next-generation business we want to attract more of: locally rooted, globally minded, and future-focused.

As a member of Greenville County Council, I want to make sure we recognize all the businesses shaping our community, not just the ones you pass on Main Street, but the ones coding, analyzing, and innovating in office parks, labs, and virtual space. These companies often fly under the radar, but they’re driving serious economic growth and bringing national attention to Greenville’s innovation economy.

Read more about this company here: Visio Stack

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District 19 Business Spotlight: Capri’s of Berea

A family table that’s fed generations (and fed me weekly during one of them).

When you walk into Capri’s of Berea, you’re not just entering a restaurant, you’re stepping into a Greenville County landmark. Tucked along Cedar Lane Road, Capri’s has been dishing out hearty Italian-American meals and genuine hospitality since 1976 . It’s the kind of place where the waitress remembers your favorite dish, the sauce recipe hasn’t changed in decades, and there’s always a seat for one more.

Why Capri’s Matters

Capri’s isn’t a flash-in-the-pan chain, it’s a multi-generational, family-run restaurant that has stood the test of time right here in District 19. That longevity speaks volumes about their unwavering commitment to serve our community with pride and heart.

From birthday dinners and retirement celebrations, Capri’s remains woven into the rhythm of Berea life. It’s a place where stories are shared over baked spaghetti, garlic bread, and a warm atmosphere:

• Local jobs & investment: They train local staff and keep revenue circulating in Greenville County.

• Community identity: Their comfort food reminds us that place and belonging are built one plate at a time.

When we were expecting our second child, Capri’s became a weekly ritual. My wife craved their baked spaghetti so intensely that I’m pretty sure Brooklyn was born with marinara in her veins. I think the staff likely knew her order by heart, spaghetti, salad, and lots of buttery garlic bread, every. single. time.

But beyond the cravings, Capri’s proves something deeper: small businesses don’t just keep the lights on, they light up our community. They feed families, spark memories, and root us in a sense of place.

So the next time you’re near Cedar Lane, skip the drive‑thru. Visit a spot that still knows what real food, and real community tastes like!

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Chairman’s Corner: A Budget That Moves Us Forward, Even When We Disagree

After months of debate, negotiation, and a final vote that stretched late into the night, Greenville County has officially passed the FY2025–26 budget: a $488.5 million plan that lowers taxes, raises pay for public safety, and re-centers our focus on infrastructure, transparency, and core services.

This isn’t a perfect budget. No budget is. But this one, despite disagreement and drama, gets us moving in the right direction again.

What This Budget Actually Does

Let’s start with the facts:

• ✅ Tripled funding for roads, with over $36 million committed, the largest such investment in nearly two decades.

• ✅ Lowered property taxes by 1.5 mills, a direct response to the public mandate expressed in the 2024 election cycle.

• ✅ Approved a 6% raise for sheriff’s deputies, EMS, detention officers, dispatchers, and other public safety staff.

• ✅ Cut more than $3 million in overhead, eliminating bloated spending, unfilled positions, and redundant line items.

• ✅ Funding a line item of $500,000 for independent performance reviews of county departments to increase transparency and accountability.

• ✅ Restored the one-year budget model, giving us the ability to reevaluate and improve next year based on real-world results.

This budget has both a conservative foundation and a forward-looking design. It reduces spending, strengthens infrastructure, and compensates our public servants fairly, without overreaching or making vague promises.

And then there is the biggest win in my opinion: Road Funding!!!

If this $36 million allocation starts to meaningfully move the needle on our long-standing infrastructure concerns, and I believe it will, it will mark a major turning point in how Greenville County addresses growth, mobility, and quality of life. We’ve got more work ahead, but this is the most serious investment we’ve made in a generation!

On Affordable Housing, Compromise, and What Really Happened

One of the biggest points of contention was affordable housing funding. Originally, the proposed budget reduced the GCRA’s allocation from $3 million to $1 million. That reduction was part of an effort to pull back a line item that had ballooned more than 60% during a previous cycle that also included the largest property tax increase in nearly 30 years.

After a tied vote and a short recess, an amendment was introduced to restore $1 million of that funding, bringing the final line to $2 million. The compromise used GADC surplus and a general fund adjustment to avoid shifting new burdens onto taxpayers.

To be clear, I was asked during the recess if I would consider supporting the amendment, and I said no! I believed the budget was already balanced, responsible, and representative of the values voters expressed last election. But I also understand that others on Council saw it differently.

Some voted for the amendment because they genuinely believed it was the only viable path forward. They weren’t abandoning their principles, they were doing what they felt was necessary to pass the rest of a budget they supported. And while I may not have cast the same vote, I respect that decision.

Had we received just one more vote in favor of the original budget, that amendment wouldn’t have passed. That’s an Important part of this conversation that the public will not hear much about. But it did. And my role as Chairman isn’t to dwell on hypotheticals, it’s to lead through reality!

The Millage Decrease: Following Through on a Mandate

The 1.5 mill (Over $4 million) property tax decrease may seem modest in dollars overall, but it speaks volumes.

This cut was not just a fiscal adjustment. It was a promise kept. Voters made it clear in 2024 that they wanted change, less waste, less bloat, and more financial responsibility. Several long-serving members were replaced in that election. The message was loud and clear, and this year’s budget, especially this tax cut, is a direct response to that mandate.

Let’s Talk About Votes, Pressure, and Political Theater

Now that the budget has passed, I want to address something I’ve seen too often: the effort to pit Council members against each other by stirring up public outrage over individual votes.

Some Council members voted no, not because they oppose law enforcement, housing, or good governance, but because they had legitimate concerns about scope, sustainability, or process.

That’s not a scandal. That’s how democracy works.

What I take issue with is the political tactic of weaponizing votes, encouraging the public to attack other members or distort the context of their decisions. That kind of behavior divides the public, erodes trust, and distracts from the real work at hand. It turns policy into performance, and I will never take part in it, even if it’s directed at me!

Put plainly, I will not engage in or condone political theater disguised as public advocacy. Greenville County deserves leadership, not spectacle!

Disagreement is part of healthy government. Diversity of opinion is a strength, not something to be punished.

Where We Go From Here

This budget is the strongest we’ve passed in years in terms of conservative discipline, service reinvestment, and responsiveness to voter priorities. But the process to get here revealed some deeper challenges in how we engage with one another.

There were tense moments. Frustrated voices. Public discomfort. As Chairman, I take responsibility for that.

Going forward, I will try my best to do more to create opportunities for calmer conversation and more thoughtful collaboration. We need to build a Council culture rooted in communication, not confrontation. I realize that at least for the next year and a half, that starts with me!

We are twelve people with twelve districts, each representing a different corner of this county. And while we won’t always agree, we owe it to our constituents to do the hard work of finding consensus without creating chaos.

And to Those Who Say We Should Have Done More…

I hear you. And in some ways, you’re right, there is always more government can do.

But turning government around, especially Greenville County government, the 2nd largest in the state of South Carolina, is not something you can do with one vote, one meeting, or one budget cycle. If it were that easy, it would’ve been done long before we got here!

We’re not flipping a switch. We’re turning around a ship. A big one. In stormy seas.

It takes:

• Time

• Distance

• Focus

• Consistency

• Patience

• And in my opinion… prayer.

If you’re critiquing every line item because it didn’t match your personal wish list, I’d ask you to zoom out. We’re not here to patch potholes for political points, we’re here to make changes that will last, long after any of us leave office. That takes more than passion. It takes persistence.

The Best Part? We Get to Do It Again—Soon

This was a one-year budget. And that’s intentional.

It means:

• We’ll have real-time data to measure performance.

• We’ll have flexibility to make changes based on facts.

• And we’ll be back at the table soon to make it even better.

This was a major step forward, but it’s just the beginning. I’m proud of the work we’ve done. I’m aware of the work still to do. And I’m committed to leading a Council that stays honest, humble, and unified by service, not divided by soundbites.

Thank you for staying engaged. Whether you agreed with the final vote or not, your voice matters, and it will always have a place in the conversation.

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