Name ban on buildings divides Lexington County leaders
Lexington County Council members split Tuesday on a proposal to make it more difficult for public facilities to be named for anyone.
The impasse came after some council members said relatives of the late Harry Harman want the coroner’s office named for him to commemorate his 37-year career in that post.
The proposal would bar any facility from being named for someone alive and require a five-year wait after death for consideration.
“Let it ride for a while,” Council Chairman Johnny Jeffcoat decided after division over the proposed ban surfaced.
The stalemate signals that a push for the ban may be losing momentum.
The proposal developed after removal of former Sheriff James Metts’ name from the county law enforcement complex in January.
Metts, the county’s top lawman for 42 years, pleaded guilty to a federal charge stemming from interference in the handling of two illegal immigrants in 2011 at the county jail.
“We had one person that gave naming facilities a black eye,” Jeffcoat said. “Everybody was reacting to that.”
Other council members called what happened with Metts a lesson that shouldn’t be ignored.
“If we stay away from it, we can’t ever make a mistake,” Councilwoman Debbie Summers said.
Some council members say naming a facility ought to remain at their discretion, promising to be selective.
The ban sought would “invoke a set of rules we really don’t need,” Councilman Ned Tolar said.
By the numbers
The first look at the new spending plan for Lexington County services came Tuesday.
Requests from law enforcement, firefighters and other agencies total $139.4 million, $26.6 million more than the current level, County Administrator Joe Mergo said.
County Council members said it’s clear those requests far outpace revenue growth expected for the new budget year starting July 1.
“We’re going to have some challenges making things work to provide basic services,” Council Chairman Johnny Jeffcoat said.
This story was originally published March 24, 2015 at 8:05 PM.