This Week in Landrum……
This Week in Landrum
From the City Administrator’s Office • Monday, August 24, 2026
This Week in Landrum
From the City Administrator’s Office • Monday, August 24, 2026
A Note from the Deputy City Administrator
JJ has asked that I handle “This Week in Landrum” this week as we are working to get some training in for our newest employee. Please read below for more information on that and other facts from City Hall this week.
Working in local government is one of the most unique opportunities that you can choose as a career path. It includes long days, many frustrations and crazy challenges that you never see coming. However, it also includes staff who become like family, business owners who become friends and members of the communities who mean so much more than just a resident. Working in a small city is personal. It is a relationship. The relationship between local government and the citizens they support is no different than any other relationship. There are times when both sides do not agree and there are times when one party must make a decision that is better for the group instead of individuals. But there are times when there are laughter and community and connection. Those are the times that make local government one of the most rewarding career fields you can choose.
At City Hall, we are working hard to ensure that our relationship is strong with everyone. JJ has made great efforts to increase the consistency and transparency in City operations. As we move forward with the transitions that are taking place, we all hope to continue that progress. One new item for this week is that we would like to announce and formally welcome Shana Atkins into the City as the new Chief Financial Officer for the City of Landrum. Shana has over a decade of experience in local government with strong financial expertise and education. Shana will be training over the next few weeks. She will spend time with me, JJ and staff from the Municipal Association. She will also be working with our other staff and meeting many of you as we get her to be the face of the finances here in Landrum. Please give us all a bit of grace and patience as we get her up to speed, but please do not hesitate to stop by and get to know her. We are excited to have her and look forward to all the ways that she can help meet our goals of consistency and transparency for Landrum.
What Happened This Week
•Staff are still having conversations with Spartanburg County regarding the Cardinal Point RV park.
•Staff met with the developers of several County projects that may be annexed into the City in the future, to better understand project scope, current County approvals, and design assumptions before those decisions become permanent.
•Continued preparation of the data center moratorium ordinance for second reading and public hearing at the September 8th Council meeting, together with the companion review of zoning and comprehensive plan provisions.
•Continued Fiscal Year 2025-2026 close-out activities, with our third-party independent audit scheduled to begin in October.
•Continued recruitment for the permanent City Administrator; applications continue to be received and processed on a rolling basis.
•Continued rollout planning for the International Property Maintenance Code enforcement program.
•Continued planning and zoning inventory and assessment, in coordination with Deputy City Administrator April Williams and the City Attorney.
•Continued onboarding of our new IT provider, Acumen.
•Continued implementation planning for the new municipal court system, which must be in place by December 31, 2026.
•Continued one-on-one outreach with business owners working through this year’s business licensing process, and continued progress on collecting overdue business licenses.
•Continued staff coordination on the Saluda Grade Trail.
What We’re Working on Now
•Final preparation for the September 8th Council work session and Business Meeting, including the anticipated first reading of the data center moratorium ordinance. Full packets are on the City’s website.
•Continued coordination with Spartanburg County on Cardinal Point RV Park and other cross-jurisdictional projects near the City’s border.
•Finalizing Frohlich Property conservation easement language and next steps toward closing.
•Finalizing Fiscal Year 2025-2026 close-out and preparing internal materials for the October engagement with our third-party independent auditors.
• Active recruitment and screening for the permanent City Administrator, with preparation for Council review of candidates in the weeks ahead.
•Ongoing commitment to timely annual audits, transparent financial reporting, and full compliance with South Carolina municipal reporting requirements.
•Continued stand-up of the International Property Maintenance Code enforcement program.
•Continued planning and zoning inventory and assessment.
•Continued implementation planning for the new municipal court system.
•Continued onboarding of our new IT provider, Acumen.
•Continued internal work on next steps from the Classification and Compensation Study Report.
•Ongoing maintenance and improvement discussions with Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation District.
•Continued coordination with School District One staff, architects, and engineers on the proposed site plans for the new school.
•Continued engagement with the South Carolina Main Street Program.
•Standing by to assist the Northside (Simmons St.) Park property owners as they work to clear title through the probate courts.
•Continued evaluation of existing and needed ordinance updates and additions with the City Attorney.
•Continued internal improvements to workflows and processes, including the one-week-in-advance agenda publication standard.
Looking Ahead
•Thursday, August 27: Coffee with the City at Cardinal Coffee & Bistro on August 27th at 9 a.m. Stop by, say hello, and bring your questions.
•Tuesday, August 25: Planning Commission work session (5:30 p.m.) Agendas were posted last week to the website and social media.
•Continued follow-up engagement on the Saluda Grade Trail. More information at saludagradetrail.org.
•Hogback Mountain Day, Saturday, September 12th from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on North Trade Avenue.
•Upstate Forever Meeting at Holliday Brewing-Inman on Tuesday, September 22 from 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Join conversation in sustainable development and protection of critical waterways in Upstate.
•October: engagement with our third-party independent auditors begins for the FY 2025-2026 audit.
•Every Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Landrum Farmers Market. Come out, hydrate, and enjoy the season!
•Landrum Rail & History Museum is open every Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Questions or concerns? Reach us at 864.457.3000 or requests@cityoflandrumsc.com. We always want to hear from you.
Respectfully,
J.J. Sauve, Interim City Administrator
April Williams, Deputy City Administrator
Tricia Taber, Communications Director