Summer Activities, Summer Jobs, County Resources, And The 2026 County Budget

Chairman Blount’s Newsletter 5-18-25

Upcoming Greenville County Council Meetings

Monday, May 19

• 5:00 PM – Budget Workshop
  Location: Committee Meeting Room
  Watch Livestream

• 6:00 PM – Zoning Public Hearing
  Location: Council Chambers
  Watch Livestream

Tuesday, May 20

• 5:00 PM – Committee of the Whole
  Location: Committee Meeting Room
  Watch Livestream

• 6:00 PM – County Council Meeting
  Location: Council Chambers
  Watch Livestream

For a comprehensive list of all upcoming meetings, including community boards and commissions, visit the Greenville County Calendar of Events

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Waterparks Open – Saturday, May 24

Greenville County’s three waterparks—Discovery Island, Otter Creek, and 7th Inning Splash—will open for the season on May 24. Enjoy thrilling slides, lazy rivers, and fun for the whole family.

• Discovery Island Waterpark: Located at Southside Park, 417 Baldwin Rd, Simpsonville, SC 29680.

• Otter Creek Waterpark: Located at Northside Park, 101 W Darby Rd, Greenville, SC 29609.

• 7th Inning Splash Waterpark: Located at Lakeside Park, 1500 Piedmont Hwy, Piedmont, SC 29673.

Pleasant Ridge Backyard Ultra – Sunday, May 25

Test your endurance at the Pleasant Ridge Backyard Ultra. This unique race challenges participants to complete a 4.167-mile loop every hour, on the hour, until only one runner remains.

Southern Conference Baseball Tournament – May 21–25

Baseball fans, don’t miss the Southern Conference Baseball Tournament at Fluor Field. Watch top collegiate teams compete for the championship title in this exciting five-day event.

Greenville Jazz Fest – May 30–31

Experience the soulful sounds of jazz at the Greenville Jazz Fest. This two-day event features performances from local and national artists across various venues in the city.

For more details on these events and to stay updated on future activities, visit Greenville County Parks, Recreation & Tourism

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Looking for a meaningful job where you can make a difference and enjoy the great outdoors? Greenville County Parks, Recreation & Tourism is now hiring for multiple seasonal and year-round positions across the county!

Whether you’re a student seeking summer work, a retiree looking to stay active, or a professional wanting to build a career in parks and recreation, there’s a place for you on the team.

Current Openings Include:

• Lifeguards & Waterpark Staff – Perfect for summer, with paid training available!

• Park Operations Workers – Help maintain the beauty and function of our parks.

• Rec Zone Camp Counselors – Make an impact on kids through fun, enriching summer programs.

• Facility Attendants & Event Staff – Support sports leagues, events, and community rentals.

• Maintenance & Grounds Crew – Work with a team that keeps our county parks in top shape.

Perks Include:

• Flexible hours

• Competitive pay

• Free access to some park facilities

• A fun, active work environment

Apply now and be part of a team that serves the community while enjoying the natural beauty of Greenville County. Visit greenvillerec.com/jobs to explore all opportunities and apply today!

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A Smarter, Safer Way to Handle Mental Health Crises

When someone’s experiencing a mental health crisis, the way law enforcement responds can mean the difference between resolution and escalation. That’s why the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office has launched “Safe Outcomes” — a new voluntary program that equips deputies with vital information before they arrive on scene.

Through a secure online form, families and caregivers can share information about loved ones who may have a mental illness, developmental disability, or behavioral concern. This might include known triggers, calming techniques, medications, or communication barriers — any details that help law enforcement respond safely and appropriately.

Why It’s Smart:

• Proactive, Not Reactive: Deputies gain context and insight ahead of time, helping them de-escalate situations with care, not force.

• Voluntary & Confidential: Participation is optional, and only law enforcement has access to the information.

• Built for Real-Life Calls: Mental health-related calls are on the rise — and this tool helps officers respond with empathy, not just enforcement.

This program reflects the kind of forward-thinking leadership our community needs. Sheriff Hobart Lewis has made it clear that public safety is about more than arrests, it’s about protecting life, building trust, and making sure every encounter ends as safely as possible. We’re deeply thankful for his vision and initiative on this front.

Greenville County Council gives this effort our full support. It’s exactly the kind of solution we should be investing in — practical, compassionate, and built around real people and their families.

Safe Outcomes gives law enforcement the tools they need to handle mental health emergencies with greater care and confidence. It’s a smart, citizen-first approach, and one that could prevent a tragedy.

Want to Register a Loved One?

It only takes a few minutes — and could make all the difference in an emergency. Fill out the form at greenvillecounty.org/GCSOSafeOutcomes

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Greenville County Council FY2026 Budget

Greenville County’s property tax rate is going DOWN — from 55.8 to 54.3 mills.

That’s a 1.5 mill cut — the first reduction in years — passed at a time when inflation is squeezing families and businesses alike. While many governments are raising taxes, we’re doing the opposite, without compromising on service or safety.

Key Investments in FY2026:

• Law Enforcement: $83.7M — largest line item in the budget

• Fire, EMS & Public Safety: $42.1M

• Road Program: $43M — prioritized using “worst roads first” policy

• Parks & Recreation: $22.5M

• Tech & Equipment Upgrades: $17M in capital projects

• Municipal Road Paving Assistance: $700K to support cities & towns countywide

We’re operating with a total budget of over $600 million, including general, capital, enterprise, and special revenue funds. And we’re doing it while reducing the tax burden.

Want to read the full ordinance? You can find it here: FY2026 Budget Ordinance

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Chairman’s Corner: The Truth About FILOT, the School Board, and Our Teachers

Over the past few weeks, there’s been a lot of noise about County Council’s decision to adjust how FILOT (Fee-In-Lieu-Of-Tax) revenues are distributed. Some of what’s been said is fair. A lot of it isn’t. What concerns me most is how the conversation has been shaped, especially when it comes to teachers.

Let’s walk through what actually happened.

What the FILOT Change Was—and Wasn’t

The FILOT reallocation proposed in response to the budget was about addressing infrastructure needs. We’re growing fast, and we need roads, public services, and long-term planning tools to keep up. That’s what this was about.

Originally, the shift was projected to cost the school district $14 million. But once we had solid numbers in hand, County Council, each in our own ways, actually went to bat for the schools. I asked that Council consider delaying the change this year, something that’s on record in the minutes of our last budget workshop. More importantly, when there wasn’t consensus for that, we asked the County Administrator to see how he could reduce the impact.

He and his staff got that number down to $5 million. That’s a $9 million improvement from where it started.

The Timeline Matters

This is important: long before there was media coverage, and before any public campaign started, I was already having conversations with school board members. I reached out directly, explained where we were, and even brought up ways we could work together on infrastructure solutions going forward that would support relief for both budgets—like our upcoming impact fee study.

I spoke to The Post and Courier on May 14th. The article ran on the 15th. Then on the 16th, meetings were happening in schools where teachers were told they were facing a $10 million loss. Trust me, as a parent trying to enjoy my three children at field day, while feeling some eyes burning holes through me and others speaking to me quietly throughout the day, it was evident what was said in the meetings….and what wasn’t said.

By that point, the number had already changed. Council had already acted. That progress was never mentioned.

It’s unfortunate. While I was in active conversations with school board members, trying to help, those same efforts were left out of what was being shared with teachers and staff.

Advocacy or Pressure?

The school district organized meetings after hours, used district wide talking points, and encouraged faculty to contact County Council. These meetings happened on public property. In my opinion and hopefully an ethical review, this materials is considered political in nature.

There’s a difference between advocacy and pressure. And there’s a difference between informing people and stirring them up with half the story.

Financial Reality

Let’s be honest about the budget:

• The school district’s general fund has grown from around $600 million to more than $922 million.

• They hold around $80–100 million in reserves.

• They’ve handled much larger shortfalls before, without cutting teacher salaries.

• They have multiple options to manage a $5 million adjustment, including trimming administrative costs or drawing temporarily from reserves.

Despite that, teachers were told their raises were on the line. That’s a decision that came from leadership—not necessity.

And While We’re At It…

Greenville County collects all of the school district’s taxes—for free. That’s a job that comes with cost and complexity.

If they had to take that on themselves, or pay us like many districts do, it would cost somewhere between $1.5 and $3 million a year. We don’t send them a bill.

That’s not a small thing. And it matters when we’re being criticized for considering reallocating revenue, while also quietly helping in other areas every single year.

To be honest, I think it would be very eye opening for tax payers to receive a separate tax bill from the school system, rather than it being included with the other County Taxes.

Where Things Stand Now

I have a meeting scheduled with school district leadership on Monday morning. I’m hopeful the air can be cleared and that we can put the games behind us. We’ve got more important things to focus on.

That same evening—Monday at 5:00 p.m.—we’re holding another budget workshop. I’ve already invited several school board members to attend, if they want a clear and direct update on where things stand.

Knowing that I immediately stepped in to help when I learned of the potential impact on schools… that I asked for a delay… that I worked directly with staff to reduce the figure by $9 million… and that none of that was shared with the teachers or staff, I don’t know how any of the collaborative opportunities we have discussed shape up moving forward.

I will continue to try and build bridges, but I will not be walked on as if I am one!

To Our Teachers

Many of you have reached out—some publicly, many privately. You’ve told me you didn’t feel the messaging was right. That you had questions. That you were uncomfortable with how this was rolled out.

I get it. I’ve got kids in this school system. I want the best for our classrooms, and that includes supporting the people in them.

You’re not the ones playing politics. You’re the ones caught in the middle of it.

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As always, here’s to another blessed and prosperous week Greenville County!