Lawsuit over $25M bond for Oconee County capital projects

In Oconee County, a legal challenge has been initiated against the county government over a $25 million bond issue for capital projects.

The plaintiffs include Jim Mann, Chairman of the Oconee Republican Party; India Lancaster, candidate for Oconee County Council District 2; Gwen McPhail, candidate for District 5; and David Dial, a member of the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority. Other plaintiffs are residents Rachel Moore, Terri Meyerring, Carl Meyerring, Doug Muzik, Bruce Burrell, John Wagner, Lillian Lusk, and Linda Love, along with the South Carolina Public Interest Foundation. They argue the bond contravenes the state constitution by funding sewer expansions without proper assessments or charges.

The lawsuit, filed on March 17 by the Carpenter Law Firm, seeks to prevent the bond issue, citing an unfair financial burden on residents. The case’s outcome could influence future funding methods for local governments in South Carolina.