Halfacre Delivers "State of the Town" Address

A safer community that continues to grow and prosper and build partnerships is how Mayor Randy Halfacre described Lexington in his annual "State of the Town" address Monday night.

"We are here for you and we hope we demonstrate it daily by making Lexington a place you want to live, work, learn, play, worship and raise your family," Halfacre said.

In his speech to about 40 people in Town Council chambers Monday night, with more following along on local TV channel 2 and a simulcast on WLXM 107.9, Halfacre touched on some of the town's 2011 highlights:

Public safety: The Police Department was awarded a Department of Public Safety Grant which has added two additional officers on the road for traffic safety, and includes the purchase of equipment and vehicles. The grant will provide 100 percent funding, totaling $500,000 to the department during its three year period. 

"This is quite significant as no additional funding supplement will be required from the town’s General Fund," Halfacre said.

New business: Along with growth in population and housing, the town has also experienced a remarkable increase in new businesses, Halfacre said. "Since the implementation of the Business and Development Services Center, we have added a new business license inspector’s position. 

"In the two months since this position was filled, the inspector has made nearly 300 community contacts and been directly responsible for the collection of over $35,000 of business license and permit revenue," he said.

Water & sewer: Lexington remains one of the top five fastest-growing municipalities in the state, growing 83 percent since 2000, the mayor said. That growth brings with it increased need for water and sewer infrastructure.

In 2010, the Town’s water accounts increased by 250 (3.3 percent); sewer accounts increased by 500 (4.3 percent). The primary increase in 2010 was due to residential growth. One year later, in 2011, water accounts increased by 300 (3.8 percent) and sewer increased by 420 (3.5 percent). 

"The primary growth in 2011 was due to commercial growth," Halfacre said. The town's partnership with the City of Cayce and the Lexington Joint Water and Sewer Commission to create the Joint Wastewater Treatment Facility will enable the town to handle growth for years to come, he said.

"Even though growth rates are well below those experienced in the middle of the last decade, due to the weak economy, it represents solid, sustainable growth for both water and sewer," he said. "This sustainable growth bodes well for our future. I have said on many occasions, once we break out of the great recession, our town and surrounding communities will be on the verge of exploding."

Sidewalks: Halfacre said the town has made great strides in increasing the amount of new sidewalks. 

"With the assistance of grant money, we have installed new sidewalks on Gibson Road (100 percent funded), and George Street (100 percent funded)," he said. "Additional sidewalks were installed along Augusta Highway and Sunset Blvd by SC DOT.

Farmers' Market: The inaugural market which ran two Saturday's each month from May to October were a great way to showcase the town and improve downtown activity, Halfacre said. 

Building on that success, this year's market will be open each Saturday during those months and will move to a new indoor location at 206 N. Church St., known by locals as "the old shoebox."

"We’ve had some wonderful accomplishments in the past year -– but, there’s always more work to be done," Halfacre said. 

Here are a few of the efforts he said the town should focus on in 2012:

Traffic: "The top priority for our town to ensure the safety of the motoring public and to continue its economic viability is to reign in the traffic congestion we currently face and will continue to face," said Halfacre. "Our Unified Traffic Improvement Plan is currently in Phase I."

But that plan still faces challenges, he said.

"SCDOT has just announced the second postponement of Phase I of the plan, which includes improvements along Columbia Avenue at Park Road, W. Main St., and W. Butler St., to relieve congestion along this busy corridor," he said. "The project is now slated to begin in November 2012. Postponing the long overdue and fully funded project from last November to this November is just not acceptable."

Since finding out about this delay, he added, "I have reached out to the County Council, the Lexington County Delegation and the Governor’s Office for help," he said. "Our town can no longer wait for these long overdue road improvements. We will continue to keep you abreast of this project status."

Vision Plan: With the help of the public, local experts and boards, and an outside consulting group, the Boudreaux Group, the town continues to move forward on a "Vision Plan" that will help guide the town's growth over the next few decades.

It will focus on such topics as:
• Infrastructure – water, sewer, transportation
• Educational Partnerships
• Public Safety and Community Focused Policing
• Quality of Life – especially Green Space and Park Development
• Building and Construction Standards
• Downtown Redevelopment
• Entrepreneurial, Incubator and Technology Opportunities

"One of the first phases that will be implemented from the Vision Plan is a beautification project," said Halfacre. "The town was fortunate to receive a SCDOT Interchange and Gateway Beautification grant, transforming the Interstate 20/Sunset Blvd. corridor into the 'front porch' of Lexington. The project was awarded $620,000, collectively, and will include landscaping and signage welcoming visitors and residents to our wonderful town."

Public-Private Partnerships: The town's new motto is "Building Partnerships," and the town will continue to work with others wherever possible, the mayor said.

"We can accomplish so much more when we work together to leverage our resources," he said. "This is more critical now than ever before."

The town continues to partner with many organizations to host such events as Lexington Wine Walk on Main, and Oktoberfest. It also is working with Lexington County and the Town’s Beautification Foundation to develop a "Courthouse Square," which will include a Law Enforcement Memorial, Halfacre said. 

"This project will begin to transform our downtown area into a pedestrian friendly environment," he said. "These programs not only help to showcase the heart and soul of our downtown, but promote partnerships to instill a sense of belonging to everyone…."

Dog park: "We haven’t forgotten about our four-legged friends. Staff is currently putting together proposals to present to Council regarding the ," said Halfacre. 

"This service would help accommodate residents who are restrained by small yards and leash ordinances in place for public safety," he said. "I feel it is now time to pursue this avenue as it is viewed by many as a quality of life issue -- and I wholeheartedly agree."