Sumter County adopts private-road policy prioritizing emergency access, 5–2

Sumter County Council on Sept. 23 adopted Ordinance 25-1034, a revision to the county’s private roads procedures that allows the county to prioritize emergency-services access when deciding whether to adopt a private road.

County Attorney Johnathan Bryan presented the ordinance on third reading. During the public hearing, Glover Road resident Francis Bennett spoke in favor of the ordinance. Councilmember Vivian Fleming McGhaney moved to adopt the ordinance; Councilmember Carlton B. Washington seconded. The motion carried by a 5–2 vote. The council did not record individual member votes in the minutes; the clerk recorded the tally as 5 yes, 2 no.

Reporting for the Public Works Committee, Councilman Washington described passage as “a historic achievement,” saying the ordinance establishes a five-step application process that requires full resident participation and transfer of ownership of qualifying roads to the county. Washington said the process is intended to ensure emergency responders can access properties on roads that previously were private and not maintained to public-road standards.

The ordinance’s summary in the meeting materials states it adopts “revised procedures and policies for Sumter County roads.” The minutes do not list the two dissenting members by name, and the county attorney did not provide additional statutory citations on the record during the meeting. The council did not note any amendments to the ordinance during debate.

Next steps: the ordinance is adopted on third reading as of Sept. 23, 2025. The county clerk’s office and planning staff will administer the application process described by the Public Works Committee; the minutes do not set an implementation timeline or identify required follow-up reports.