Constrained by tight revenue streams, each municipality in Barnwell County is planning for the future based on past results.
Improving the presentation of the municipality ranked among the top accomplishments in 2011 for Barnwell, Williston and Blackville.
Barnwell completed the walking trail at Fuller Park while Williston planted more than 40 trees along its walking trail downtown, and Blackville was able to clean up downtown.
“We got Fuller Park finished—that walk around it—with a grant,” said Barnwell Mayor Edward Lemon. he said the city benefited from the arrival of new industries.
In addition to the trees planted, Williston received grants for a new well and did not have to lay off anyone, said Williston Mayor Thomas Rivers.
Blackville met the water standards set by the Department of Health and Environmental Control, put together “a leadership team” and welcomed new industries, said Blackville Mayor Michael Beasley.
Following these accomplishments, each municipality has set down both short-term and long-term goals.

Barnwell
Short-term:
-to make a good first impression
“We want to make sure the city always looks presentable,” said Mayor Lemon.
-to maintain relations with industries
“The main thing is to make sure we’re doing all we can to encourage industry,” said Mayor Lemon. “I want to make sure we deliver and on time.”
-to manage revenue and expenditures
“One of the biggest things is to watch our money,” said Mayor Lemon.
-to continue the quality of the police force
“We do have an excellent police force,” said Mayor Lemon.

Long-term:
-to look at the Master Plan
“We’re going to look at it and make sure we’re adhering to it,” he said.
“We may be continuing some of the goals from the first few years on into the next five years,” said Lynn Cox, tourism and economic development director. “Since the economic downturn in the last few years, we will be very cautious and things will go slowly until the stability of the county, state and country is better. That said, we still have dreams and hopes that we will continue to follow many of the goals set out in the Master Plan.”

Williston
Short-term:
-to upgrade the water system
“The first goal is the new well and the water upgrade of the lines,” said Mayor Rivers.
-to extend the walking trail to the town limits
-to work with the police department on upgrades and possibly add a new officer
-to maintain the sidewalks over the summer
-to improve the Christmas lights before Christmas
-to get some street signs back up since the town has “a lot down,” said Mayor Rivers.
“All this (goals) is dependent on income,” said Mayor Rivers.

Long-term:
-to do a study for a new town hall
-to see economic growth
-to maintain the quality of life
“We think we have a good quality of life (here in Williston),” said Mayor Rivers.
Town Administrator Chris Carter has been charged with coming up with a one-year and a five-year plan, said Mayor Rivers.
“We do have a plan for the well,” said Mayor Rivers.
The town has received grants for the well, but the funds will come in to reimburse the town, he said.

Blackville
Short-term:
-to provide excellent services
-to improve infrastructure and recruit economic development
-to achieve financial efficiency, improve cash flow and work on cost efficiency by looking at outsourcing versus in house
“We are negative in our water monies. We need to save, save and save everywhere we can,” said Mayor Beasley.
-to ensure community health or safety and involve the community
“You have a word or say in everything that goes on in this community,” Mayor Beasley said to the residents.
-to develop the staff
-to work on drug enforcement with the county and state agencies
-to increase the fire department staff through volunteers and attain equipment needed to provide safety and reliability

Long-term:
-to have three forums this year-Fire, Police and Water
-to develop a citizen’s commission for Water, Police, Code Enforcement and Housing
-to manage influx in fuel cost
-to promote the community center
-to obtain the Department of Transportation grant for beautification
-to get DOT to pave U.S. 78 and S.C. 3 after the water and sewer are addressed
“The town continues to face many challenges presented by an uncertain economy while trying to preserve quality of life for our citizens. The 2012 budget will reflect this uncertainty by using a conservative approach, recognizing the need to take advantage of opportunities for development and maintenance of the Town’s assets,” said Mayor Beasley.