Resident criticizes 4% raise and 18‑month contract extension for county administrator

Diane Vreeland (speaking on behalf of Greenville County Republican Women) sharply criticized the county council's recent personnel decision, telling the Communications, Governmental Affairs & Public Communication Committee that residents feel "angry, disgusted" and dismissed by the action.

"I am dumbfounded that you've decided to give mister Canel a 4% raise and extend his contract for another 18 months," Vreeland said, adding that, in her view, he "is already the highest paid administrator in the state." She said the council had not performed a performance review in the past year nor pursued a national search for a replacement, and asked what preparations—if any—had been made for a smooth transition or for assistant administrators to assume the role if necessary.

A brief exchange followed. A committee member replied that he had "addressed it immediately the night of the decision" and said the information had been posted in his substack; Vreeland and others pressed that the substack and local recap lacked detail. The committee did not take formal action in response to the public comment during this meeting.