A new investment plan and a new town administrator were the center of attention at the January Andrews Town Council meeting.

Wanda Charping, CPA, accountant for the Town of Andrews, talked about the local investment government pool.

“The prudent thing to do, in my opinion, is to remove the extra cash from the general fund, invest it in the local investment government pool and only draw out the money that we need for the monthly purposes, such as the payroll which is about $200,000 a month,” she said. “The money is safe and you can access the money anytime you want.”

Homeowners’ property taxes generate about $680,00 a year. That would be the source of the funds that would be placed in the investment pool.

According to Charping, most of the districts in South Carolina do this and “I think you can do this.” The Council plans to discuss this idea.

Charping read from a consent form to the council which included portions such as “1976 South Carolina code provides for the establishment of a local government investment pool to be managed by the state Treasurer and whereas the town council of the town has determined participation in investment of funds in said pool pursuant to statute would be in the best interests in the town of Andrews.”

Mauretta Dorsey, the new town administrator, will do the transfers and Charping will be the alternate. Charping also said the town’s cash flow is doing well.

Dorsey expressed her thank yous to the mayor and the town council for the opportunity to be the town administrator and “to all the citizens she said thank you and I wish to serve your town well.”

Mayor Rodney Giles introduced Sarah Daniel, AgruAmerica, Inc., who proposed by the end of 2015 the company will have about 70 jobs in Andrews. Right now about 39 people are employed here. The company is upgrading and expanding its facility.

“We have an agreement with Williamsburg County and we are going to invest about $18 million in projects,” she said. The town council intends to look further into the proposal.

Giles addressed questions on estimated water bills from town residents saying there are some broken water meters and the council has taken action to fix or replace a certain number of meters each month.

A spokesperson for the Nature Conservancy talked about the property on the Black River and said access is the issue and without access the Nature Conservancy might entertain purchasing just a portion of the riverfront instead.

The group is interested in seeing the property protected. The mayor said the council will take this under consideration and do some research to obtain additional information.

Andrews Fire Department member Rob Stamper said 14 of the town’s firemen were to take a very important test on January 25 and “if you see them on the street give them a pat on the back and let them know they have your support. Please tell them how much you appreciate them and wish them the best.”

Mayor Giles, David Tisdale, Angela Anderson, Sid Ackerman, Thomas Alford, Patsy Green were in attendance.

By Barbara Gengler

For The Times