Adminstrative Services

City Manager Nolan Wiggins

Welcome

The Budget and Audit Process

Recent and Current Projects

Welcome

The City of Abbeville is alive, vibrant, and is a great place to raise a family or to retire. We are a diverse community filled with sprit and pride. As one of the top tourist destinations in the regions, thousands of visitors come here each year and keep the local economy growing. Each City employee works hard to ensure that the residents of Abbeville receive effective services. I am please to report to you that all the City's departments are meeting their goals and responsibilities, and that the City is operating in an efficient manner.

The City provides a full range of general governmental services. These services include: police and fire protection, sanitation and recycling collection, streets and sidewalk maintennance, parks and recreation, stormwater management, planning and zoning, and community and economic development. In addition to these general government activities, the City operates a combined utility system that provides electric, water and sewer utility services.

The City continues to work to improve the quality of life in the community as well as foster the spirit of cooperation between the City and its citizens. Some of the new and ongoing initiatives aimed at making Abbeville more liveable include:

• A growing Spring Festival on the Square that promotes community pride, supports local businesses, and renews our bonds as fellow citizens.
• The annual National Night Out event that promotes citizenship and community policing efforts by fostering partnerships with law enforcement.
• The annual summer Law Enforcement Camp for underprivileged youth.
• Working with the Abbeville Youth Athletics Board to ensure that any child who wishes to participate in a team sport will be able to do so regardless of the ability to pay.
• Working with the Greater Abbeville Chamber of Commerce to plan events that build community pride and attract visitors to the City.
• Conducting district meetings when requested by a city council member where the community can meet the City leaders and department heads to discuss concerns, ask questions, and learn about the issues facing Abbeville.
• Promoting a cleaner more beautiful Abbeville through an aggressive property maintenance enforcement program and by supporting the Property of the Month contest.
• Providing a free anonymous crime watch tip-line through a partnership with West Carolina Telephone. The phone line allows citizens to anonymously report criminal activity in their neighborhoods.
• The Fire Department conducts annual programs in the elementary schools to promote fire safety and awareness. The Fire Department also distributes a number of free smoke detectors to the community each year.
• The Abbeville Police Department has School Resource Officers at Abbeville High School and Wright Middle School to help promote a safe environment in which to learn by forming partnerships with the students and staff at each school.

The Budget and Audit Process

The Annual Budget serves as the foundation for the City's financial planning and control. Each department head is required to submit budget requests to the city manager each year during the budget planning process. The city manager uses these requests as a starting point for developing a proposed budget, and then works to achieve a balanced budget by holding a series of work seccsions with city council to refine the proposed budget. The city council holds a public hearing on the proposed budget, and adopts a balanced budget for the proceeding fiscal year by October 31st. Click here to view or download a budget summary.

The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report is completed after the close of each fiscal year to report on the financial activities of the City for the prior year. The financial audit is completed by an independent accounting firm which is hired by city council and works with the Finance Department. The independent audit reports on all financial records and transactions of the City. Click here to view or download the Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports.

Recent and Current Projects

1. Secession Avenue Housing Rehabilitation Project:  The City was awared a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $455,000 to conduct a comprehensive housing rehabilitation program. The project was completed in the summer of 2006 and greatly enhanced the quality of life of 12 moderate to low income families. The City provided a $5,000 match for the grant.                    
2. Abbeville Area Medical Center:  In August of 2004, the City annexed approximately 90 acres of land owned by the Abbeville County Memorial Hospital. The new hospital and wellness center, which replaced the old facility, cost over $15 million and employs over 300 people. The new facility opended in 2006 under its new name.
3. Highway 72 Widening:  Highway 72 was expanded from two lanes to four lanes in 2004, creating a parallel four lane route from Interstate 26 at Clinton ot Atlanta. The project's intent is to relieve congestion on Interstate 85 and bring the potential for more economic growth.
4. Historic Preservation Ordinance:  After years of work, an ordinance to create an official Historic District, Historic Preservation Ordinance, and architectural review board was approved by City Council in 2006. The new district encompasses the Square and the buildings surrounding it. The ordinance and commission appointed by council to enforce it will oversee and approve any architectural changes, new construction, and demolitions within the historic district in order to preserve and protect the unique architectural characteristics of the buildings. The City is currently working to secure grant funds in order to establish design guidelines that will apply to the historic district.
5. Streetscape Projects:  The City is in the process of completing three streetscape projects, each funded with a $200,000 TEA-21 Grant from the SCDOT. Historical lighting, new landscaping, new sidewalks and underground utilities have been installed on portions of Hwy 72, South Main and North Main Street. Currently underway is Washington Street, and when completed it too will greatly enhance the appearance of of the downtown businesses and historic district.
6. Lakelands Commerce Center:  In its efforts to continue to attract new industry to the Abbeville area, the County has implemented Phase 1 of preparing the former Highway 72 Industrial Park into a "ready to go" business park that includes grading of lots, site preparation, new signage, roads, lighting, and water and sewer improvements. The new development encompasses 130 acres and is serviced by a 750,000 gallon elevated water tank.
7. Parks Improvements:  In an ongoing effort to continually improve the City's recreation facilities, several projects were completed in 2006 and 2007. Two PARD grants from the state funded resurfacing of the tennis courts and paving a walking track at Pete Smith Complex. Abbeville County, Abbeville School District and the City of Abbeville also contributed funds to complete these projects. Most recently, a first rate playground was constructed at the Pete Smith Complex and is greatly enjoyed by families in the community.