Jay King

1 week ago | greenvillejournal.com | Jay King

Here’s a recap of Greenville County Council’s June 17 meeting:Council approved third and final reading of a $488.5 million budget ordinance for the 2025-2026 fiscal year that includes a slight millage decrease and a 6% pay raise for public safety employees. The marathon four-hour meeting was at times contentious as council members debated various amendments, most of which centered on whether to reduce or maintain funding for affordable housing, public transit and conservation funding.

1 week ago | greenvillejournal.com | Jay King

For more than 50 years, Leadership Greenville class projects have benefited any number of local organizations, but Class 51’s pair of projects for two local nonprofits this year have likely been among the most impactful. With more than 50 members in the latest class to go through the program run by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Class 51 split into two teams to tackle projects benefiting Conestee Nature Preserve and United Ministries’ Place of Hope.

2 weeks ago | greenvillejournal.com | Jay King

A recent survey commissioned by the Greenville County Historic & Natural Resources Trust indicates widespread public support for conservation and protection of green spaces. This comes as the County is dealing with widespread growth and development. The survey was conducted in mid-April by Atlanta-based Trafalgar Group to assess county residents’ views on the work of the trust at the end of its first four years.

2 weeks ago | greenvillejournal.com | Jay King

Here’s a recap of Greer City Council’s June 10 meeting:Approved: 2025-26 budget with 2-mill decreaseCouncil unanimously approved a $58.49 million budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 that includes a 2-mill reduction in property tax rates. While the figure represents the largest budget in Greer history, it is a reduction of about $500,000 from what was initially proposed by administration in May.

2 weeks ago | greenvillejournal.com | Jay King

The Nature Conservancy has secured the largest conservation easement in Laurens County history with the permanent protection of the 2,000-acre Creekland Farms property, the global conservation nonprofit announced June 6. The family-owned farm will remain in private ownership and will be managed for forestry, agriculture, and recreational uses according to the landowner’s wishes but will be permanently protected against development.