A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Rusty Smith, Administrator of Florence County, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER thirty-five YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED service to the county, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives has learned that Rusty Smith will begin a well-deserved retirement on February 17, 2023, after twenty-five years on Florence County Council, nine of them as chairman, and ten more years as the highly regarded administrator for the county; and

Whereas, he built the Lower Florence County Public Services Building, now Southern Florence County, by consolidating existing services for Florence County EMS, South Lynches Fire Department, Florence County Magistrate, Treasurer's Office, Department of Social Services, and a Sheriff's Office into one strategic location, a coordinated effort of the city, county, and state to provide a secure location for the public. The Hardened Building's emergency power provides a safe shelter for fire and EMS with fuel availability for emergency vehicles and public works when no other fuel is available; and

Whereas, Mr. Smith led construction of the new Judicial Center, the new Florence County Veterans Center, the remodeling of the County Complex, the construction of the new multi-level parking garage at the county complex, and the development of the South Lynches Regional Training Facility; and

Whereas, putting public safety first, he supported better EMS, fire, and law enforcement and had the Law Enforcement Center built in the county's center to better serve all residents. He had a secure Central Dispatch Facility built in the Law Enforcement Complex to consolidate the twelve answering points with highly trained telecommunications personnel, Enhanced 911, Voice and Radio recording, and a large generator to secure operation in all weather. He supported construction of the new, state-of-the-art Emergency Management and Central Dispatch Facility adjoining the Law Enforcement Complex on a ten-acre site to serve fire service for the county and the eastern part of the State; and

Whereas, Mr. Smith supported the development of the 800 MHz radio system for all emergency services in the county, as well as mutual aid partners on the local, state, and national levels, serving the citizens with "Emergency Medical Dispatch" so that citizens can receive lifesaving instructions over the phone from telecommunicators certified in law enforcement and fire dispatch procedures; and

Whereas, his support for the creation of the Florence County Unified Fire District resulted in a much better equipped, trained, and funded fire service, which has resulted in lower insurance ratings and a savings to all property owners in the Fire District. He helped to build new EMS stations around the county to lower response times during emergencies to better protect lives of the county's citizens; and

Whereas, Mr. Smith advocated for industrial recruitment which attracted major industries to Florence County, such as Nanya, Honda, Otis Elevator, and West Rock. He worked tirelessly to see a lake built in Lake City and worked closely with the Bruce Lee Foundation on such projects as putting a library in every city and town in the county; and

Whereas, during his tenure, Mr. Smith built bridges between the county and the local, state, and national levels of government. The finest example of a public servant, he served as the chairman of Pee Dee Council of Governments and as the president of South Carolina Association of Counties (SCAC). His outstanding work has twice been recognized by SCAC with the President's Cup; and

Whereas, grateful for his years of distinguished service to Florence County, the South Carolina House of Representatives takes pleasure in offering best wishes to Rusty Smith as he transitions to the leisurely pace of the days ahead, and the members wish him much enjoyment in his retirement. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Rusty Smith, Administrator of Florence County, upon the occasion of his retirement after thirty-five years of distinguished service to the county, and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Rusty Smith.

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