The 4-2 vote came during council’s Sept. 8 meeting, with councilmembers Shannon Williams (Ward 3) and Sherry Roche (Ward 4) voting against the ordinance and an amendment, which was introduced by Councilmember Chad O’Rear (Ward 1). The amendment applies the updated ordinance retroactively to properties, not including city streets, that were renamed after Jan. 1, 2023.
The ordinance requires that no public city-owned or -controlled property, facility, building, park, street or space be named in honor of any living person. It sets a one-year waiting period before any public property is named after a deceased person. It also allows property to be named after individuals who have contributed land, money or other significant resources to specific public property, provided that the donor stipulates the naming in writing as a condition of the contribution.
While O’Rear did not present a list of properties potentially impacted by his amendment, discussion between him, City Attorney Daniel Hughes and other councilmembers revealed that Gracely Park, which was renamed in honor of former City Administrator Dianna Gracely, was one of the city-owned spaces impacted by the amended ordinance.
Gracely retired from the city of Simpsonville in 2025. She served as city administrator for seven years of her 30-year career in public service.
Other items
Council unanimously approved several items, including:
- An updated ordinance to clarify and add a definition of public participation requirements at council meetings. It will go before the City Council for final approval on Oct. 13.
- A resolution allows City Administrator Tee Coker to enter into a contract with CivicPlus to recodify Simpsonville’s code of ordinances. The project is expected to cost $13,835, start between October 2026 and January 2027, and last 18 to 22 months.
- A resolution to enter into an agreement with Pinnacle Bank d/b/a Synovus Bank for city banking services.
