The offices of Sumter County Government remain closed to the public until further notice.

Appointments to visit Family Court for filings and payments can be made by calling 803-436-2366. A temperature screening protocol remains in place for the Sumter County Judicial Center. Please wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines of staying 6 feet apart from others.

*See PDF for information and scheduling.

*See PDF for information and scheduling.

Sumter County Council Tuesday evening passed a balanced $51,163,769 budget with a 1.9 mill increase.

County Attorney Johnathan Bryan spoke about an ordinance calling for a referendum to determine whether the S.C. Department of Revenue may issue temporary permits to allow for the sale of beer and wine for off premises consumption on Sunday in Sumter County.

The voters would have to pass the referendum, he said, but the ordinance would allow the question to be placed on the ballot as a referendum.

First reading passed; Councilwoman Vivian Fleming-McGhaney voted against it.

Bryan spoke about an ordinance from the City of Sumter allowing for public hearings and meeting to take place as long as public health concerns and social distancing guidelines are in place.

Joint boards, with members appointed by both City Council and County Council, fall under the ordinance, and so County Council members simply had to not raise objections, he said.

Council members approved of the ordinance.

Third reading of an ordinance authorizing the transfer of Little John Lane to adjoining property owners passed unanimously.

County Administrator Gary Mixon spoke next about third reading for the capital bond ordinance which authorizes the issuance and sale of $3.5 million in general obligation bonds to fund various purchases in the coming Fiscal Year. Major purchases include vehicles and equipment for Public Safety, he said, and a new trash compactor for the Landfill.

Third reading passed unanimously.

The 1.9 mill increase will fund raises for Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and employees based upon a wage study.

After third reading of the budget ordinance passed, Mixon said he understood the different viewpoints regarding budgetary matters but applauded council members for honoring their commitment to public safety officers and detention center officers.

*See PDF for information and scheduling.

While attending Sumter High School, Adrienne Sarvis didn’t know what career she wanted to pursue.

With a father serving our country in the U.S. Army at Ft. Jackson and her mother serving her community as an educator – at Sumter High School then Lakewood High School -- Sarvis thought briefly about being a teacher.

“I guess it’s the same thing as law enforcement – you’re just trying to help people,” she said.

That mindset serves her well as she is now Deputy Sarvis, the Public Information Officer for the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Anthony Dennis said Sarvis has fit in nicely.

“We thought Adrienne would be a good fit to work here at the Sheriff’s Office and she has been doing a great job,” he said.

After graduating from Sumter High School, Sarvis planned on majoring in psychology at College of Charleston but soon found her life taking a different direction.

“I realized I could write pretty well … so I decided to major in communication,” she said. “I felt much better about it. I think that was the best decision.”

And she quickly parlayed her Bachelor of Arts degree into a career as a professional writer – with degree in hand on Dec. 13, 2014, she started working as a reporter at The Sumter Item on Jan. 1, 2015.

“I had to get started on making my life,” she said.

Her first focus on reporting was city and county government, with general assignment stories throw into the mix. She soon found herself on the public safety beat, covering all aspects of law enforcement as well as court cases.

“I learned everything about journalism and everything about writing very well,” she said. “The way they taught me to write is the way I continue to write now for the Sheriff’s Office.”

After honing her craft for four years and winning awards for her work as a newspaper reporter, she was recruited to take her talents to another level and disseminate information to the media and to the public. When she first started with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, she was in a civilian role, but one job assignment changed her mind.

Sarvis was out shooting photos and video with another Deputy who was conducting drug interdiction operations on Interstate 95, and she had to borrow a bulletproof vest.

“Because I didn’t have my own and at that moment I didn’t want to be a burden on anybody else. I didn’t want anyone to worry about what I was doing … so I decided to help them out if they needed it and I haven’t regretted it,” she said.

She decided to attend the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and become certified as a Class 1 Deputy after the basic 12-week program.

“It’s actually very fun,” she said. “It’s fast-paced – I just really enjoy it.”

As the Sheriff’s Office PIO, she is in charge of the social media accounts. She responds to questions received through those accounts and writes news releases, takes photographs and video and also creates posters and flyers.

Sheriff Dennis, she said, does media interviews himself, “because he wants to tell the community what’s going on.”

In her free time, she enjoys crocheting and embroidery – skills she learned from watching videos on YouTube – or just hanging out with her family and watching movies.

As for her job, she finds it to be consistently fun and interesting.

“I don’t really know how to explain it,” she said, laughing. “I just enjoy it.”

Sheriff Dennis said he was “pleasantly surprised” when she said she wanted to pursue her Class 1 certification.

“That’s something I will always support. She has been working hard to complete her duties as both public information officer and as a deputy,” he said.

*See PDF for information and scheduling.

The Penny for Progress project to improve the intersection of Wilson Hall Road and Carter Road officially got underway today as the Notice to Proceed was given from Sumter County Government.

This project is scheduled to be completed within 365 days and the purpose is to improve traffic flow while making it safer for pedestrians and motorists alike.

Improvements will include new turn lanes, installation of mast arms and signalization, along with drainage improvements and designated crosswalks.

Utilities are currently being relocated and will cause traffic slowdowns, so please be patient as we work to improve this intersection.

*See PDF for information and scheduling.

*See PDF for information and scheduling.

An online newsletter from Sumter County Government is now available for free.
Each month the Gamecock County Gazette will be delivered via e-mail, and for those who wish to receive a digital copy please send your e-mail address to jperry@sumtercountysc.org and our communications coordinator will add you to the list.

To see the newsletter, click here

*See PDF for information and scheduling.