SC Special Olympics, Property Reassessment Info, and Leadership Initiatives in Greenville County
Chairman Blount’s Newsletter 4-13-25
County Council Meetings: April 14–15, 2025
Monday, April 14
4:00 PM – Special Called Committee of the Wholesome
Location: 301 University Ridge, Greenville – Committee Meeting Room
Agenda: Board and Commissions Interviews
Livestream: Watch here
6:00 PM – Zoning Public Hearing
Location: 301 University Ridge, Greenville – Council Chambers
Livestream: Watch here
Tuesday, April 15
3:15 PM – Roads, Infrastructure and Public Works Committee
Location: 301 University Ridge, Greenville – Committee Meeting Room
Livestream: Watch here
4:00 PM – Committee of the Whole
Location: 301 University Ridge, Greenville – Committee Meeting Room
Livestream: Watch here
6:00 PM – County Council Regular Meeting
Location: 301 University Ridge, Greenville – Council Chambers
Livestream: Watch here
The 2025 South Carolina Special Olympics
This past week, I had the profound honor of declaring the 2025 South Carolina Special Olympics Spring Games officially open at Furman University. With over 1,200 student-athletes competing across 15 track and field events , the energy was electric, and the spirit of unity was on full display.
As I stood on that stage, I was struck not just by the athletic prowess on display but by the unwavering support these athletes, coaches, families, and fans showed one another. In a world often fixated on competition, here were individuals cheering each other on, celebrating every achievement, big or small. It was a testament to the true essence of sportsmanship and community.
It brought back amazing memories of when I had the privilege of coaching several athletes in powerlifting for the World Games. One standout memory is of Matt, a powerhouse who clinched gold in China. Truth be told, I learned more from him than he did from me. His determination, resilience, and spirit has been motivation for me every day since.
The Special Olympics is more than just an event; it’s a movement that champions healthy competition, determination, and the celebration of every individual’s potential. It’s about breaking barriers, challenging perceptions, and showcasing the incredible capabilities of athletes with disabilities.
I’m immensely proud of Greenville County Parks and Recreation, as well as all of our partners, for their unwavering commitment to this cause. Their dedication ensures that events like these are not only possible but are executed with excellence and heart.
To all the athletes, coaches, volunteers, and supporters: thank you for reminding us of the boundless possibilities when passion meets purpose!
A Powerful Stop at the Greenville Literacy Association
This week, I had the privilege of personally delivering a County Council proclamation to the Greenville Literacy Association (GLA) — and let me tell you, I walked away inspired.
Tucked into McAlister Square, GLA has transformed their space into more than just an office — it’s a hub of hope, empowerment, and second chances. From the moment I stepped in, it was clear that their mission is alive in every corner of that building. The passion of their team, the real stories of the students they serve, and the impact they make on lives across Greenville County — it’s the kind of thing that reminds you why community matters.
If you haven’t seen what they do, start with this 3-minute video that shares the stories of their students and the heart behind their mission:
They also collect book donations year-round, and book drives are an easy way for any group — churches, schools, or local businesses — to get involved:
And mark your calendars: their 24th Annual Book Sale is happening the second weekend of August. It draws around 15,000 visitors over three days and is a fantastic family event. (Yes, there’s plenty for the kids, too!)
Learn More About the Book Sale
GLA’s work changes lives — and if you’ve ever wanted to support literacy, education, and second chances in our community, this is a great place to start.
Big thanks to their team for the warm welcome. It was an honor to recognize their work officially, but truthfully, they’re earning that recognition every single day.
Let’s lift up organizations like GLA. They’re building a better Greenville!
Greenville Steps Up: Building a Resilient Future Through State Partnership
This week, I’m proud to co-host an incredibly important gathering that brings together leaders from across Greenville County and the State of South Carolina. On April 16th, Greenville County and the City of Greenville will welcome the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) and a powerful coalition of municipal partners, conservation experts, utility providers, and local officials.
This meeting isn’t just another calendar event—it’s a strategic moment to build partnerships that could change the way we prepare for South Carolina’s future.
What This Partnership Means for Greenville
The SC Office of Resilience has already made major strides across the state, including:
Disaster Recovery: Rebuilding more than 3,400 homes damaged by hurricanes and flooding.
Infrastructure Improvements: Allocating $100 million for stormwater, drainage, and other flood mitigation projects.
Voluntary Property Buyouts: Investing $37.5 million to purchase flood-prone properties and restore them as greenspace buffers.
Local Planning Support: Funding resilience studies to help counties and municipalities make informed decisions.
SCOR Already Making An Impact In District 19
What makes this gathering even more important is that the South Carolina Office of Resilience has officially selected the Berea area—right here in District 19—as a priority site for a new comprehensive resilience study. This will include:
• A detailed stormwater and floodplain analysis in neighborhoods that have long struggled with drainage issues.
• Assessments of aging infrastructure that are vulnerable during heavy rains.
• Community-driven data collection and outreach to ensure local voices shape the solutions.
• Potential site identification for green infrastructure improvements like bioswales, flood basins, and new park spaces that also serve as water buffers.
This is the first step toward long-term investments in our community’s safety, sustainability, and quality of life. If we get this right, District 19 and the Berea community could become a model for other unincorporated communities across the state—proving that rural and suburban areas deserve just as much planning attention as big cities.
Why This Meeting Matters
We’re bringing together a broad network of partners—from conservation leaders to utility experts—because resilience demands collaboration. The goal? To better align local assets, tap into state and federal funding, and design strategies that protect people, preserve resources, and strengthen the systems we all rely on.
What comes out of this meeting could shape Greenville County’s resilience strategy for a generation. And as always, I’ll keep you in the loop with next steps and ways you can get involved.
You can explore more of SCOR’s work at their official site: scor.sc.gov
Property Reassessment 101: Live Info Session with County Auditor Scott Case
Understanding your property taxes shouldn’t require a law degree or a magnifying glass. That’s why Greenville County Auditor Scott Case, CPA, is hosting a Reassessment Overview session designed to break it all down for residents.
Mark your calendars:
Monday, May 5
12:00 PM
Greenville County Council Chambers
This is your chance to hear directly from the source about the county-wide reassessment process—how it works, why it matters, and how it might impact your next property tax bill. Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or simply someone who wants to better understand how your tax dollars are calculated, this meeting is for you.
Scott Case has been leading an initiative to make the Auditor’s Office more transparent and tech-forward, with improved online tools, public outreach, and clearer communication. This meeting is another step in that mission—ensuring you’re informed before that new assessment notice hits your mailbox.
Quick Q&A: If you have had any of these questions, this meeting is designed to help you!
Q: What is a property reassessment?
A reassessment is a routine update of property values used to calculate your property taxes. By law, Greenville County must conduct this every five years to reflect current market conditions.
Q: Does reassessment mean my taxes will automatically go up?
Not necessarily. While your property value might increase, that doesn’t mean your tax bill will rise at the same rate. Reassessment redistributes the tax burden based on updated values—it doesn’t inherently increase county revenue.
Q: Who determines my property’s value?
The Greenville County Assessor’s Office is responsible for determining property values, not the Auditor. However, the Auditor’s Office applies tax rates to those values to generate your tax bill.
Q: Can I appeal my reassessment?
Yes. If you believe your reassessment is inaccurate, you have the legal right to appeal. Details on how to file an appeal will be included with your reassessment notice or can be found on the County Assessor’s page.
Q: Where can I view my current property info and estimated taxes?
For more details or to access property tax tools and updates online, visit the official Greenville County Auditor’s website.
Chairman’s Corner: We Just Turned Down Nearly a Million Dollars, and Here’s Why I Voted Yes Anyway.
This past week, Greenville County’s Finance Committee did something unprecedented. We voted against even applying for a federal grant. Not rejecting a bloated contract. Not reining in reckless spending. Just refusing to apply.
The grant in question would’ve brought in $920,350 in federal funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) — a program specifically designed to expand transportation choices for pedestrians. Administered regionally through GPATS — the Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study — these funds are awarded on a competitive, reimbursable basis each year to communities that are ready to move forward with meaningful infrastructure. We were one of those communities.
The project? A 0.6-mile separated pedestrian and biking path connecting Brandon Mill on Abney Street to Judson Mill on Easley Bridge Road in the heart of the historic Textile Crescent. It would follow an abandoned rail line once used to connect mill villages — now repurposed into a legacy greenway with modern purpose. It would run alongside county-owned Ledbetter Street and Shoeless Joe Jackson Park, threading directly through the Brandon community in West Greenville, which has long called for safer, walkable infrastructure.
This wasn’t some pipe dream. It was shovel-ready, community-backed, and already budgeted. The County’s $244,650 match had been allocated months ago by the Greenville County Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department — one of the few departments in county government that actually operates in the black (makes a profit). They generate revenue in many ways, but primarily through rentals, tourism, and recreation programs. They’re not just providing value — they’re helping fund their own future. This project was a textbook example of how to leverage existing dollars to bring in new ones.
So let’s be clear: this wasn’t about roads. It wasn’t about fiscal risk. It wasn’t about asking taxpayers for more. This was a strategic opportunity to take local dollars we’d already approved and multiply their impact — using a regional program (GPATS TAP) that exists for exactly this reason.
Yet some committee members opposed it — citing frustrations with unrelated issues like road funding delays. Look, I get it. We all want to see more roads getting paved. But blocking a Parks and Rec grant doesn’t lay one inch of asphalt. It just sidelines progress in a totally unrelated department. That’s not a solution — it’s self-sabotage.
And let’s clear up another misconception that’s been floating around online: this project was 0.6 miles, not 0.06 miles. That’s ten times the distance. And it would’ve had real, measurable impact in a part of the county that’s been asking for walkability, safety, and connectivity for years.
Turning down this grant sends the wrong signals — to the state, to federal partners, and to our own staff. It tells grantors that Greenville County isn’t serious about competing for funds. It tells hardworking employees that even when they plan well, budget smart, and listen to the public, they can still get blindsided by politics.
And most concerning of all — it tells residents that their voices only count when they echo someone else’s priorities.
Let me be clear: roads are a priority. You’ll see that reflected in the budget this year!
But so is quality of life. And in a growing county like Greenville, we don’t have the luxury of picking just one. Our residents want safe roads and vibrant parks. They want walkable neighborhoods and strong infrastructure. These aren’t “nice to haves.” They’re core services in a thriving, modern county.
That’s why I voted yes. Because this project was smart, community-driven, and already funded locally. It would’ve brought in nearly a million dollars through a competitive, regional program built for projects just like this.
That’s not reckless — that’s responsible. And I’ll stand behind that every time.
Final Thoughts and Personal Prayer
One thing I’ve tried to do since the day I took office—both as your District 19 representative and now as Chairman of County Council—is lead differently.
That’s a double-edged sword. On one side, it means I often choose substance over spotlight. I focus more on fixing county issues than making sure you see that I’m fixing them. The typical political playbook says: do something, then shout it from the rooftops so everyone knows you did it. My approach is different. I believe that when government is working right, you’ll feel the results in your daily life—you won’t need a press release to tell you something got better.
Could I take louder, more one-sided stances to boost my profile? Absolutely. But if I don’t give you the whole picture—including perspectives I may disagree with—I’d just be adding to the very problem that erodes public trust in government: selective truth.
That’s not leadership. That’s manipulation.
My job isn’t to push you toward a specific opinion—it’s to provide you with all the information, so you can shape the conversation. I’ll always give you my honest take, but I’ll also lay out the full landscape, even when parts of it complicate my own position. That’s because this isn’t about me looking good. It’s about us making good decisions.
With a county as large and diverse as ours, no issue has a simple answer. Representing so many different perspectives is hard work. But it’s also the only way forward if we want a government that truly works for the people. You are the stakeholders. You are the leaders. My role is to make sure your voice is at the center of every vote, every policy, and every outcome.
I know this approach opens the door for critics. It makes me an easy target. And I expect those attacks will continue, maybe even grow. But this role—your representative and your chairman—is too important to play politics with. I will always choose the harder road if it means staying honest, transparent, and committed to the full picture.
I’ll leave you with a personal prayer I wrote for myself after becoming Chairman. I read this before every council meeting. I keep a copy of it in my office, my car, and even my recording studio. It grounds me. It reminds me why I serve. And I hope it shows you what I strive for—every single day.
Chairman’s Prayer
Lord, give me the wisdom to lead with honesty, even when the truth is hard to share. Help me resist the temptation to tell only the parts of the story that serve my own position. Instead, let me always present the full picture, trusting that people deserve all the facts, not just the ones that benefit me.
Keep my heart humble and my motives pure. Let me put service above self, integrity above influence, and truth above convenience. When the pressures of politics push me toward half-truths and easy answers, remind me that real leadership means trusting the people with the whole truth.
Grant me discernment, courage, and a steady focus on what is right. May my words and actions reflect Your wisdom, not my own ambitions. Amen!
As always, have a prosperous and blessed week Greenville County!
You tried to do the right thing. It makes no sense to even refuse to apply for the grant. So it passed us by? We are no longer eligible? I am sorry this happened. You're sharing on substack certainly helps keep me informed at least. We have to become more engaged locally! Sometimes its too late isn't it?
Thank you so very much for remaining transparent and giving us the full picture!
We are blessed to have you in this leadership role!