BLYTHEWOOD – Richland County Council voted unanimously during a Nov. 10 special-called meeting to defer — until Dec. 1 — second reading of an amendment that would place Blythewood’s previously promised 3% share of Scout Motors’ future tax revenue into a county-controlled capital improvement fund instead it being paid directly to the Town.
Under the existing Master Agreement Governing the Scout Motors Multicounty Park between Richland and Fairfield counties, finalized July 11, 2023, “3% shall be distributed to the Town.”
The original park agreement expressly recognized the town’s role, stating that because part of the park lies within Blythewood, the counties obtained the town’s consent before creating it.
However, more than 400 pages into the master agreement, it states that each county can unilaterally amend provisions concerning the internal distribution of revenue it receives.
The proposed amendment would change how that money is distributed. County Council took its first vote to approve that change Oct. 20, 2026.
Polen previously said he learned about the proposed change from a reporter. Neither of Blythewood’s county council representatives, Vice Chair Derrek Pugh and Councilwoman Gretchen Cooper, nor anyone else from the county had notified the town before or after the first vote, Polen said. The Oct. 20 agenda item also did not disclose that it involved the 3% allocation or Blythewood.
Polen said his frustration increased when county officials conveyed concerns about how the town might spend the money.
“The county council doesn’t feel like they can trust the town with the money,” he said. “I think that’s demeaning,” he said.
At least three county officials have told either The Voice or Town of Blythewood officials that the county wants more control of the 3% because some county council members have expressed they cannot trust how Blythewood will spend the 3%.
Polen pointed to the town’s financial reserves, which he described as equivalent to four years of its annual budget, in disputing the suggestion that Blythewood could not responsibly manage the revenue.
A county official previously estimated that share would initially provide Blythewood about $70,000 annually but could amount to much more over the years.
The Nov. 10 deferral follows a Nov. 9 meeting between Blythewood Town Manager Doug Polen and Richland County Economic Development Director Jeff Ruble to discuss the proposal and protections Polen wants for the town’s 3%.
Polen said his meeting with Ruble produced progress, but no final agreement.
“I think we’ve made some really good forward progress,” he said. “The county council needs to agree to some stuff. And the town needs to be okay with that stuff.”
While Polen previously objected to the county retaining the money, he said he would consider a capital improvement fund if an agreement gives Blythewood control over the 3% and protects the revenue in future years.
“Either way, protections have to be in place,” Polen said. “That money, it can’t magically go away in three years. It has to be money that the Town has power over.”
Polen said the Town already covers its operating expenses and would likely use the Scout revenue for capital projects whether it receives the money directly or through a dedicated fund.
But he wants stronger assurances than the existing agreement’s provision directing 3% to Blythewood.
“I want assurances that the town gets 3%, because I don’t want them being able to change this ordinance again a year from now, and I made that very clear,” Polen said.
He said Ruble appeared receptive to his concerns but emphasized that staff discussions do not constitute approval by either council.
“He seemed very amenable to what I was suggesting,” Polen said. “But ultimately they need to sell it to their council.”
Working in the Town’s favor is the fact that the county needs the town’s approval concerning the multicounty industrial park by Dec. 31. Polen would not speculate about whether Town Council would withhold that approval if the revenue dispute remains unresolved.
“I can’t speak for council on that,” he said.
Besides initially being secretive about its plan to control Blythewood’s 3%, Richland County Council also went into an executive session on Nov. 10 to discuss the issue without it being on the executive session agenda and with no explanation by Chair Jesica Mackey of what would be discussed.
Media attorney Jay Bender said he is of the opinion that “the executive session was held in violation of the law unless the chair announced more specific, permissible items for discussion than those identified in the agenda.”
Prior to the vote to defer, Councilwoman Gretchen Cooper, who represents parts of Blythewood, addressed the issue, clarifying that she expects the Town to partner with the county concerning distribution of the 3%. She did not say what that “partnership” meant or mention that it was Town officials who contacted the county when they learned what the county was planning to do with the Town’s 3%.
The following is her full statement:
“The item that talks about Scout Motors and the multi-county park, that the Town of Blythewood has the opportunity to receive funds for this actual park. And so with that, there’s been lots of conversation being had. And as we as a body have had conversation and briefings from our attorneys, definitely it’s our goal that we hear from the Town of Blythewood and its council as to the things that they want to see done with these dollars.
“It is not our intent to do anything but to make sure that this is in partnership and that we work in tandem with the town of Blythewood in meeting the needs there in the town. And that’s what we are hoping to do with this motion as we move forward.
“But we do look forward to having conversation with the Town of Blythewood and hearing from them. I think that, for me, in order to move forward, it is indeed having that input from the Town is going to be critically vital as we move forward. Thanks.”
The deferral leaves the proposed change pending while town and county officials discuss how Blythewood’s share would be controlled and protected.
“Until the Richland County Council does whatever they decide to do, this is all just negotiation,” Polen said.